South Carolina State Library
National Register Listing
Street Address:
1500 Senate Street, Columbia, SC (Richland County)
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817740184
Description and Narrative:
The South Carolina State Library at 1500 Senate St. is a five-story, five-bay building in the Brutalist style listed at the state level under Government for its association with the State of South Carolina’s expanded building program for libraries under the federal Library and Construction Services Act of 1964. It is also significant as the first purpose-built building for the newly consolidated South Carolina State Library, formed in 1969 from the State Library and State Library Board. Created in 1814, the State Library was historically located in the State House and held various materials related to the work of the legislature, while the State Library Board was established in 1929 by the state legislature to create and assist public libraries throughout South Carolina. The building is also significant under Criterion C at the local level as an excellent example of Brutalist architecture. It has a limestone and glass exterior with recessed Mansard roof that contains the fifth floor. Colossal rectangular columns support a monolithic fourth floor clad entirely in smooth stone panels. Windows are tinted dark and recessed between the columns. A paved plaza wraps the front and sides of the building, with a low wall along the perimeter. Bronze lion sculptures flank the entry to the plaza. The Library retains a high degree of integrity with only minimal changes since its completion in 1969. Listed in the National Register October 11, 2022.
Period of Significance:
1969
Level of Significance:
State
Area of Significance:
Architecture;Politics/Government
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
October 11 2022
