Announcer: A production of: It stands upon a gently sloping hill, a magnificent structure of quiet charm and demure elegance.

Its very walls surge with power, power which one can feel as one walks upon these grounds.

Neither natural nor man-made calamity has prevented this building from being restored and revitalized.

It is a symbol of strength, perseverance, and determination.

It is the state capitol of South Carolina.

[vehicular noise] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [vehicular noise] In its early beginnings, the seat of South Carolina government was in Charleston.

The first statehouse was begun in 1753.

Its location was at the corner of Broad and Meeting Streets.

In appearance, it was quite like the statehouse we have today in that it also had a dome.

In 1783, discussion began that the seat of central government should be moved to a more central area.

Nothing came of the discussions until 1786, when it was decided the capital should be moved to the central part of the state.

General Thomas Sumter, hoping to get a jump on the opposition, settled a town in the Santee region which he called Stateburg, but nothing came of that.

Later other sites were recommended, such as Camden and an area near what is now Orangeburg.

But finally the town of Columbia was selected to be the new capital, and work began on designing and building a new statehouse.

[vehicular noise] In 1788, the beautiful wooden statehouse in Charleston burned, but with the building already under way in Columbia, there was not much cause for alarm.

The General Assembly met for the first time in the new wooden structure in Columbia on January 4, 1790.

In May of that year, a convention was called to create a constitution for the state of South Carolina.

In a month, it was written and had been passed, so the convention, its mission already finished, was adjourned.

[vehicular noise] The South Carolina Statehouse has been the setting for many important occasions, and within its walls, many influential guests have been entertained.

There were two visitors to the city who left their mark on both the city and the citizens themselves.

On May 22, 1791, while on a tour of the South, President George Washington visited Columbia.

He attended a grand reception in the Statehouse.

After a delicious feast in the senate room, he moved to the assembly rooms, where he danced the night away with beautiful Southern ladies.

The second notable visitor was not to come for 74 more years, but his mark upon the city the citizens will never forget.

[vehicular noise] Years passed, and the wooden building continued to be the seat of South Carolina government.

However, by 1850, mass deterioration was noted throughout the building.

Governor Seabrook became very concerned about the safety of the public records.

The General Assembly recommended that an addition be built to the existing wooden building, an addition that would be fireproof and thus add to the safety and storage of these records.

However, the recommendation went further, and it was decided that an entirely new fireproof building should be built.

The cornerstone was laid in 1851, and work on the new building continued throughout 1852 and 1854.

Then it was noticed that cracks appeared in the masonry.

Governor J. L. Manning enlisted the aid of a well-known architect, John R. Niernsee.

Upon examination, Niernsee decided that the cracks were due to inferior material and poor workmanship.

The entire project had to be scrapped, and the state had lost over $75,000.

There was debate about whether or not it should be continued, but the General Assembly decided that it was necessary to build this fireproof building.

John Niernsee was contracted as the architect.

[no dialogue] [vehicular noise] Niernsee's design was quite similar to the building we see today, except that he had a rectangular, tiered tower rising from the center.

This tower was supported by piers and arches from the ground up.

Between 1856 and 1861, most of the work was completed.

Most of the granite for the building came from the Granby quarry near Congaree River.

In 1861, work had to be halted because bonds, which were used to finance the building, could not be sold.

Work stopped again in 1865, when the city's second most historical visitor came to the area.

[birds chirping] General William Tecumseh Sherman and his notorious troops shelled the city from Lexington heights.

During the bombardment, six cannonballs of light caliber struck the western wall of the uncompleted building.

Today six brass markers show where these volleys struck.

There is much disagreement about who started the fires that burned throughout the day.

Be that as it may, those were the flames that never went out until the capital city lay completely destroyed.

The wooden statehouse, which had served South Carolina fo r so long, was burned.

Today this marker stands as a monument and a reminder of where that noble statehouse once stood.

[vehicular noise] The war left the people of South Carolina bankrupt, but they scraped together whatever they could and had a roof put on the building.

The legislature convened for the first time in the unfinished structure in 1869.

However, full construction didn't begin again until 1884, with John Niernsee as the managing architect.

But as fates would have it, he died in June of 1885 before he could complete the work.

An associate of his became architect, but he became involved in a political scandal and had to be dismissed.

Frank Niernsee, son of John, was finally asked to become managing architect.

He completed most of the work, mainly the interior, until work had to be halted in 1891 due to financial problems.

♪ In 1900, when the state was beginning to recover financially, the legislature voted funds for the two porticos and the tower.

Frank P. Milburn of Charlotte, North Carolina, became the architect.

He replaced original designs for the tower with a dome.

J. Q.

Marshal, a member of the commission, became absolutely furious over the change.

Other members were just glad to get the job done.

But Marshal took the matter to the legislature, had a new commission appointed, and made himself chairman.

♪ Marshal chose C. C. Wilson of Columbia as architect.

Wilson corrected some things done by the other four architects and added changes of his own from 1903 to 1907.

At last, it was completed.

The building started in 1851 was finally finished in 1907.

So you see, for over half a century this building has stood the ravages of war, the passages of time, and many architects.

It is the best example of dedication and commitment made by the people of South Carolina.

♪ As one enters this impressive building, one is awed by the amount of activity that goes on.

Most activity takes place on the two main floors, in the main lobby and the low lobby where I am now.

One of the most impressive features is the ceiling made of handmade brick.

Not only is it beautiful, it has an economic value as well.

It is of a multiarch design, which aids in controlling and stabilizing the temperature of the room.

As heat or air rises to the ceiling, the arches pocket the air and circulate it to keep the temperature moderate.

Supporting the ceiling are lovely monolithic columns.

These are made of blue granite, our state stone, and weigh 10 to 15 tons each.

Also located in the low lobby are the impressive offices of the governor and lieutenant governor of our great state.

♪ In this area we have many interesting memorials and paintings.

Here we have the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

Upon these, all of our laws are based.

Here, a very interesting painting tells the story of the Angel of Marye's Heights.

It shows a scene of battle wherein men lay dying all over the battlefield.

In the foreground is a soldier giving a drink of water to what appears to be his fellow comrade.

Actually, this fellow, Lieutenant Richard Kirkland, became so distressed at th e number of men who lay dying at the hands of his troops that he crossed enemy lines to give water to the enemy and to show compassion for a fellow human being.

Another scene is displayed on the rear wall of the low lobby.

It depicts the Battle of Fort Moultrie against the British.

This was the scene which inspired the designers of the South Carolina state seal.

Two more famous battle scenes are works by Robert Wilson of Woodruff, South Carolina.

The first shows the Battle of Cowpens, in which Daniel Morgan gained a superior victory over Banastre Tarleton.

The second painting depicts the Battle of Kings Mountain.

This was where Cornwallis sent Patrick Ferguson running into the Upcountry and where, in a twist of irony, it was Cornwallis himself who suffered defeat.

These paintings are unique because it's believed that the painter was clever enough to include himself in his works.

Notice the man at the far right in the white shirt, leaning against the tree.

It's not one of the original mountain men, as might be first conceived.

Rather, we think it's the pa inter himself, Robert Wilson.

[indiscernible background chatter] As we ascend this beautiful staircase, we are reminded of the early legislators' determination to ensure the safety of this building.

The staircase is made of wrought iron, making it fireproof, because they were determined never to lose another statehouse to the fiery flames.

There are so many wonderful things!

The best thing to do is to come for a tour and stay alert so you don't miss anything of interest.

[background chatter] [footfalls clicking] At the top of the first stairs, we find a beautiful plaque honoring the four South Carolinians who signed the Constitution of the United States.

At the top of the second stairs is the area where men and women of our era form the laws which affect our state today.

♪ ♪ ♪ Upon entering the senate chamber, one is overtaken by a sense of power.

There's a feeling of strength in this room.

The Senate body is composed of 46 members, each elected for four years.

The dominant feature of this room is the rostrum area.

The front desk is made of Honduras mahogany.

On the front of this desk is the South Carolina state seal, one of the most visible symbols of South Carolina.

The arms and the reverse of the seal symbolize the Battle of Fort Moultrie against the British.

The arms consist of three key elements.

The most dominant is our state tree, the palmetto.

It is shown growing erect on the seashore, symbolizing Fort Moultrie, which was built of strong, resilient palmetto logs.

At the palmetto's base is a fallen oak, its branches severed.

This represents the defeated British fleet, whose vessels were constructed of oak timbers.

Twelve spears, bound crosswise to the stem of the palmetto, stand with their points raised, representing the first twelve states of the Union.

They are bound by a band inscribed Quis Separabit, meaning "Who shall separate us?"

At the bottom are the words Animis Opibusque Parati, meaning "prepared in mind and resources."

The reverse shows a woman walking on the seashore over swords and daggers.

She represents hope of overcoming dangers.

She holds in her right hand a laurel branch, symbolizing the honors gained by Fort Moultrie in the battle.

In her left hand, she guards the folds of her robe.

She's looking toward the rising sun, a symbol which foretells Fort Moultrie's good fortune and indicates the battle was fought on a good day.

Inscribed at the top are the words Dum Spiro Spero... "While I breathe, I hope."

At the bottom is the word Spes, which simply means "hope," one of the positive qualities South Carolinians have passed on from generation to generation.

Also on the desk is the Sword of State, which is placed here during Senate sessions.

The present sword was presented as a gift to South Carolina in 1951 by Lord Halifax, former British ambassador to the United States.

It was given to replace the original sword, which had mysteriously disappeared from the senate rostrum ten years earlier.

Etched in the steel of the blade's upper portion is South Carolina's state flower, the yellow jessamine.

Centered between the jessamine is a miniature design of the state seal.

The handle is meticulously wrapped in gold braid.

During special events, this sword is carried by the sergeant at arms.

On the large wall behind this desk is a portrait of John C. Calhoun, a past statesman best known for his firm stand on nullification of federal laws in defense of states' rights.

To the top left of John C. Calhoun is Senator I.

De Quincy Newman, wh o was elected in 1983.

He was the first black elected to serve in the Senate following the Reconstruction period.

Departing from the senate room, we'll venture down the hall to see more of what is on the second floor.

♪ There's much to see on this floor.

In fact, on the floor itself is a beautiful burgundy, black, and gold carpet.

It contains the arms design of the state seal.

Beside it is an ingenious overlapped design of the state sword and mace.

In the center of the room near the back is a larger-than-life statue of John C. Calhoun.

On the far corner wall near Calhoun's statue is a stone marker of the Ordinance of Secession.

[background chatter] At the entrance of the library, between the house and senate chambers, are beautiful, mosaic stained glass windows.

This is in the shape of a rose.

The transom above has stylized design.

Each piece of glass, no matter how small, has been leaded, The door itself has been hand-carved.

It's a beautiful work of art.

And here the column is of Tennessee brown marble.

[background chatter] The most striking item inside is this brass chandelier, which in earlier times was operated by gas, meaning it had to be lowered to be lighted, then raised to its normal position.

Modern electricity has made it more convenient for its users.

The ceiling of the library, which is the original, has a design over plaster molding within a metal frame.

The supporting columns are made of iron and contain very intricate details.

There are wrought iron winding staircases on both sides of the room.

Much of the furniture is large, which, once again, gives one the undeniable impression that all of these surroundings are a mass of power.

♪ Upon exiting the library, if you look directly above, you'll notice the beautiful dome.

It's really in three layers... the wooden one, which we see; the second, steel, supports the structure; the third, copper, we see from the outside.

Coming back down to earth, we'll continue down the hall to the entrance of the expansive house chamber.

♪ ♪ Here we enter the house, where 124 representatives serve to debate and later vote upon issues which will affect every South Carolinian.

There are 124 representatives who are elected for a period of two years.

Who wouldn't love to spend two years in such a beautiful environment?

Do notice that the desks are in pairs.

The older ones are of mahogany, and the newer ones are of oak.

That's because, in other times, the desk was given to the representative after his period of service.

However, now the desk must be purchased by the representative upon his departure, and the funds are used to replace them.

Do notice the buttons... the yea-nay buttons for the representative, and the yellow button is for the page, a very important person who is frequently overlooked.

At the front of the room we see another beautiful desk of Honduras mahogany.

This was designed by the clerk of the house in 1937.

Behind the desk is the reredos on which is displayed three flags... the American, the state, and the Confederate banner.

At the top is a beautiful clock.

Many portraits here include... George Washington, our first President; Andrew Jackson of South Carolina, our seventh President; and Dr. Benjamin Mayes, former president of Morehouse College in Atlanta.

Dr. Mayes held to his credits 47 honorary degrees from 32 states.

Many of these honors were due to his great oratorical skills, exceptional letter-writing ability, and his lifelong dedication to the cause of desegregation.

Portraits of men in purple robes are on the side walls.

These are the former speakers of the house.

This one is Solomon Blatt, who served 53 years... 30 of which, he was speaker of the house.

The speaker is considered to be the most authoritarian figure, but there is a symbol of even gr eater authority in this room.

This handsome mace is the emblem of authority for the House of Representatives.

It was fashioned in London in 1756 by a superior artisan.

The Commons House of Assembly of the Province of South Carolina purchased the mace for 90 guineas, the English gold coins used from 1663 to 1813.

It's made of silver and covered with a gold gloss.

It's thought to be the only mace in use in the United States which precedes the Revolution.

The panels contain the arms of Great Britain, the House of Hanover, th e Province of South Carolina, and other insignia.

During House sessions, the mace is placed on a special rack before the speaker.

Just as the state sword, the mace, too, has suffered mysterious disappearances.

But fortunately, thus far, it's always been returned to its proper place.

To ensure its future security, it's displayed in a specially made vault when not in official use.

♪ ♪ [vehicular noise] As we said in the beginning, the South Carolina state capitol is a symbol of strength, perseverance, and determination.

It has wavered due to forces of man and nature, but it has never waned in power.

It is a symbol of the determination of the people of South Carolina.

We have survived many adversities, but we have used those as stepping-stones, stepping-stones which have made our state as strong as the blue granite building which teems with life and the workings of law.

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