South Carolina State House — Attraction in Columbia

The South Carolina State House had some of nicest kept grounds in Columbia, with wonderfully large oak trees, beautiful flowers, iconic palmettos, and many historic and elegant sculptures, statues, and monuments. I was not familiar with most of the figures there since I’m not from South Carolina, but since I love history, I researched them after visiting. I would recommend doing so beforehand for maximum effect. Thankfully, despite our current circumstances, they still allow entry into the building, but the day I visited, both chambers were shut which was rather disappointing as I was hoping to see the sceptre and sabre. The inside has several figures inside like John C. Calhoun (an identical statue in marble resides in the Crypt at the US Capitol) and a bust of General Robert E. Lee. There are several nice murals and stained glass windows, and the touching story of the Angel of Marye’s Heights on the lower level is a nice spot. There is also a very nice gift shop in the State House where I was able to find SC-grown tea, mugs, flags, postcards, and many other neat SC-centred products. The shop attendant was very nice as well. The outside grounds have many statues as mentioned including Gen. Wade Hampton (erected shortly after his death), George Washington (with a broken cane from Sherman’s men) which predated the War Between the States, Sen. Strum Thurmond, a newer monument to black South Carolinians (including a model sculpture slave ship and effigy on the wall), a Mexican-American War memorial which predates the War Between the States as well, and the memorial to South Carolina’s Confederate soldiers (an inscription on it really made me think, unexpectedly so). There really are so many things to see on the Capitol Grounds, you should allot yourself about two-three hours total. The day I visited, there were dog walkers everywhere in some sort of group which I wasn’t exactly fond of, but there is always something going on. Very much worth a...

We really enjoyed our visit to the South Carolina State House. The building is absolutely beautiful—inside and out. The architecture is impressive, with tall columns, detailed stonework, and a peaceful atmosphere that invites you to slow down and take it all in.

We walked the grounds first, which are spacious and full of history. There are several statues and memorials, each telling a piece of South Carolina’s story. One especially meaningful stop was the African American History Monument—it’s thoughtfully designed and gave us a moment to pause and reflect.

Inside, the building was clean and well cared for. We weren’t part of a guided tour, but we were still able to walk around, read the plaques, and take in the details of the rotunda and chambers. Security was friendly and helpful, and it felt like a welcoming space to learn and explore.

Toward the end of our visit, we stopped by the gift shop, which turned out to be a lovely surprise. It had a warm, welcoming feel and offered more than just the usual souvenirs. There were South Carolina-themed gifts, local specialty items, books, artwork, and even small-batch goodies made in the state. It was the perfect place to pick up something meaningful to remember the visit.

If you’re in Columbia, this is definitely worth a visit—whether you’re into history, architecture, or just want a quiet moment in a beautiful place. It gave us a deeper appreciation for the area and...

The South Carolina State Capitol building in Columbia. Built in 1855 in the Greek Revival style. The capitol was under construction during the capture of Columbia but survived the Union fires. However, its plans were lost, and the building was not completed until 1903. The building was not destroyed during the occupation of Columbia because Sherman considered it “handsome.” On the western and southern sides, stars mark where the walls were hit by Union cannonballs. Inside and out, from foundation to dome, the State House, as a result of the 1995-1998 renovation, is in better shape than ever before. The work balanced the need to meet modern code requirements and improved efficiency with respect to historical form and appearance. Most visitors will never see the structural improvements, the sophisticated electrical wiring, the alarm systems, or the state-of-the-art earthquake isolators that were installed. However, everyone will notice the renewal of the House and Senate Chambers, the 19th-century treatment of the lobby, the vaulted brickwork in the hallways of the lower floor, the restored marble floors, and the refurbished interior of the dome. The State Capitol Complex receives over 220.000...