FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ashley Tucker
Historic Columbia Foundation
803.252.7742 ext. 16, atucker@historiccolumbia.org
Historic Columbia Foundation’s Happy Hour History Tours
Of Main Street Offered Just Two More Fridays This May
Columbia, SC (May 16, 2012) – Those who haven’t taken advantage of Historic Columbia Foundation’s Happy Hour History Tours have two more dates to choose from until the tours return next year – those dates are this Friday, May 18, and Friday, May 25 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. The guided tours meet at the South Carolina State House steps (Gervais Street side) and are led by Historic Columbia Foundation.
Reservations aren’t required but are encouraged and can be made by emailing reservations@historiccolumbia.org or by calling 803.252.1770 ext. 24. The cost of the tour ($20 for Historic Columbia Foundation members, $25 general admission) includes two adult beverages and appetizers along the way. Walk-up registrations will be accepted if space permits.
Photos of last week’s tour are posted on the Foundation’s Flickr account here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/historiccolumbiafoundation/sets/72157629740180130/ and are available for immediate hi-resolution download.
Columbia’s Main Street boasts architectural styles spanning three centuries that speak to the tastes, interests and aspirations of persons living and working in South Carolina’s state capital. While fire in 1865 reduced the entirety of Main Street from Gervais to Upper Street (Elmwood Avenue) to ashes, waning and waxing interests in the corridor’s future also have erased many architecturally significant structures. Adaptive use of historic structures has promoted new businesses, re- established residences and informed in-fill construction resulting in successful revitalization of one of Columbia’s most important thoroughfares.
Those interested in learning more about the history of Main Street are encouraged to visit the Foundation’s blog post, where historic and contemporary images are shared with narrative here: http://historiccolumbia.org/blog/preservation-matters-columbia-south-carolinas-main-street/.
About the tours, John Sherrer, Director of Cultural Resources for Historic Columbia Foundation says, “The architectural evolution of this central commercial corridor reads like an epic novel; tour attendees will learn about the mark left on Main Street from war, politics, and the ebb and flow of public and private money.”
Members of the media are encouraged to contact Ashley Tucker at 803.252.7742 ext. 16 or atucker@historiccolumbia.org.
Self-guided architectural walking tour brochures of Main Street as a part of the Foundation’s Connecting Communities through History initiative are available at Historic Columbia Foundation’s Museum Shop (1616 Blanding Street) as well as in several businesses on Main Street including Mast General Store, Sheraton Columbia Downtown Hotel, City Center Partnership, Capitol Places, The Historic Arcade Mall on Main, NBSC, and Grubb & Ellis Wilson Kibler. The brochure covers more than 30 sites; architectural styles include Classic Revival, Renaissance Revival, Italianate, Art Deco, Post-Modern and Richardsonian Romanesque, among others.
About City Center Partnership:
City Center Partnership was formed to manage Columbia’s downtown Business Improvement District in the 36-block area bounded by Gervais, Elmwood, Assembly and Marion streets. The organization provides public space management, economic development, marketing services, and public advocacy for downtown Columbia. The Board of Directors oversee the organization’s mission — to focus on filling vacancies in commercial properties, retaining existing downtown businesses and recruiting new ones, expanding the downtown residential base, and creating a safe, clean, and friendly downtown environment. More at http://www.citycentercolumbia.sc.
About Historic Columbia Foundation:
In November 1961, a small group of individuals intent on saving the Ainsley Hall House from demolition, officially incorporated as the Historic Columbia Foundation. Over the next five decades the organization, which was founded on the premise of preservation and education, would take on the stewardship of seven historic properties in Richland County. Today, the organization serves as a model for local preservation efforts and interpretation of local history. The 50th Anniversary year of Historic Columbia Foundation (which officially began on November 13, 2011) will include a variety of community celebratory events. Visit http://www.historiccolumbia.org for details.
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/histcolumbia
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/historiccolumbia
Web: http://www.historiccolumbia.org
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/discoverhistory
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