Memories of Politics Past

This week,Statehouse Report pondered, "Boy, the guys liked their hats a few years back. Figure out yet who the guy in the middle was and what he was doing about the time this photo was taken (hit the rewind button for about 52 years)."

And the answer is...

Before Fritz Hollings was a U.S. Senator, he was Lt. Governor and Governor of South Carolina (1955-1963). In this classic shot taken Feb. 5, 1958, Lt. Governor Hollings stands with T.C. Bannister, Jr., and R. Sundberg at the Bowater Pulp Mill in Catawba, S.C., prior to the mill’s start up. Hollings successfully ran for governor later in 1958. As Lt. Governor, Hollings was known for pursuing industrial interests for the state — something he continued as governor.

To find out more about Ernest "Fritz" Hollings, check out his collection or contact us.

Photo and caption originally appeared in the May 28, 2010 issue of Statehouse Report.

Goodbye, College Street!

Well, looks like the move is complete...sort of. All our collections and office material have been transferred to the Hollings Library, but the certificate of occupancy is still caught up in some red tape. We should be able to do some unpacking in the interim, however.

The warehouse: Awaiting the movers...

As I type, the fantastic library moving guys are waiting for their last truck to arrive to pick up the last of their gear; then they'll be off and away, too.

The warehouse: Debbie through the shelving after the movers finished...

The old warehouse is looking a bit sad. We are leaving our buddies Tim and Don alone here as the microfilming department will be the only active office at the College Street location. There's still storage for the University's records management material and McKissick Museum, but SCPC's shelves are now empty.

We'll be posting pictures of our new digs as we unpack and do some settling in. We think you'll be amazed at the stark difference in the locations. And, oh, how we're looking forward to WINDOWS!

OUR NEW HOME

The Move Has Begun!

Off loading at the new library













There is excitement in the air at SCPC! The hustle and bustle of carts, boxes, and movers can be seen and heard throughout the Pearle warehouse today. As I type, the movers are loading up our filing cabinets right in front of me! Officially, SCPC's move to the Hollings Library commenced yesterday and continues throughout this week. With an expert team from National Library Relocations on site, SCPC and her collections are in good hands as they make their way up to their new home. Having weathered a few minor setbacks and a bit of rain yesterday, skies are clearing and SCPC is ready to move on up!

-Contributed by Debbie Davendonis Todd

Memories of Politics Past

This week,Statehouse Report asked, "First, who are the four leaders in this photo? Second, what's remarkable about two of the people in the photo?"

And the answer is...

Pictured here are four legendary figures in South Carolina politics: from left to right, James F. Byrnes, Strom Thurmond, John C. West, and Edgar Brown. Byrnes and Thurmond both served as governor and U.S. Senator; West as lieutenant governor and governor; and Brown as President Pro Tempore of the S.C. Senate for thirty years.

In 1997, Gov. West wrote of this photograph: “This picture was taken at the Carolina Cup race (1964). It is the first time Strom Thurmond and Edgar Brown had a picture together since Thurmond defeated Brown in the 1954 senatorial election as a write-in candidate. Of significance also is the appearance of former Gov. Byrnes, who supported Strom in 1954 despite his friendship with Edgar — including serving as best man in Edgar’s wedding.”

To find out more about John West, check out his collection or contact us.

Photo and caption originally appeared in the May 14, 2010 issue of Statehouse Report.

Movin' On Up!

We are pleased to report that the move to our new building will begin next week, ahead of schedule! The next couple of weeks will be a bit unpredictable for research queries and visits, but you can try to reach us at 803-777-0578, or email us at SCPC@mailbox.sc.edu.

We will continue to keep the blog updated as we know more about our schedule, and we hope you will visit us once we're settled in our new home.

Memories of Politics Past

This week, Statehouse Report asked, "Remember the name of the guy waving?"


And the answer is...


State Senator Donald Holland of Kershaw County served in the S.C. House (1951-54 and 1957-64), as a S.C. District Highway Commissioner (1964-68), and in the S.C. Senate (1968-2003). Holland, at different times, represented constituents in Kershaw, Chesterfield, Darlington, Lancaster, Lee, Marlboro, and York counties. On his death in 2003, John C. West said of his friend and colleague, "I have never seen a man as honest, with more integrity, with more dedication, than Donald Holland...he had that dedication to the people which characterized his life. He was just a model public servant."

To find out more about Don Holland, check out his collection or contact us.

Photo with caption originally appeared in the May 7, 2010 issue of Statehouse Report.

Friday hours altered by graduations!!

SCPC will close at 11am this Friday, May 7th. Staff will be off site attending graduation ceremonies. We will re-open at 1pm but beware, our parking lot likely will be inaccessible due to USC's 3pm graduation ceremony at Colonial Life Arena. Traffic will be extremely heavy (read: gridlocked) on surrounding streets from 1-6pm.