Roots, Shoots, & Hoots
Helen Goforth, Historian
Fall 2011
The Convention’s over….the suitcase is unpacked and stuffed into the closet….a cup of coffee and comfy slippers make the “down time” relaxing. It is soooo good to be home—especially, when you played host!
Home! Now, there’s a great four-letter word! We dream about it….plan for it….work for it….and experience great satisfaction when we have it.
With NCSGC’s Headquarters under construction with the leadership of National President, Hessie Morrah, GCSC dreamed of such a “home” for our growing organization. “At the September 1960 meeting of the Executive Board discussion was held relative to starting a fund to establish a Permanent Home for GCSC in Columbia.” (Notable: GCSC donated $15,000 to NCSGC for its Headquarters—the first state in SAR to contribute 100%.)
A “survey of suitable places” yielded a promising prospect, and one that appealed to many Board members.
“The City of Columbia was applying for a grant to preserve one of the most historic and architecturally important buildings in the state….the mansion built in 1823 for Ainsley Hall…his architect was Robert Mills.” The report continues after additional back and forth negotiations and ownership of the property, “…the property is again for sale. If the plan of the city had gone through, the beautiful red brick building with its white columns would have been moved to another site and saved. GCSC was offered a room in the mansion and the use of other meetings (sic) rooms. In return, we were asked to contribute $10,000 for the restoration.“ The application was rejected and the fate of the Mills building was undecided. The dream didn’t die with our first attempt to locate a site for our Headquarters. “It is time GCSC took such a step forward!”
GCSC Bulletin No. 78, September, 1961: “At the annual meeting of the GCSC held in Charleston, April 20-21 (1961), it was decided by Convention action to start a fund to provide ‘adequate State Headquarters in Columbia.’” Surplus funds of $6,500.00 from Calendar sales were used to start a Headquarters Fund, and each club was asked to give 100% support and every member was asked to donate $1. The Headquarters Committee was “Super Woman” Mrs. W. Bedford Moore, Chairman (former Chairman of Memorial Garden), and seven of GCSC’s prominent members.
The committee’s mission: locate a suitable site for a GCSC Headquarters. “Our ever expanding program of conservation, beautification and restoration calls for a central place from which our efforts may be coordinated to serve our clubs, our members, our State.” Criteria: Large meeting room with dining and comfortable facilities for large groups; office space; ample parking; centrally located for traveling convenience; and, of course, inexpensive. Contributions trickled in, but the Headquarters Fund continued to grow.
What happened to Ainsley Hall? The preservation and restoration program to save the historic Ainsley Hall Mansion was sponsored by Historic Columbia Foundation. In true GCSC spirit of service and cooperation, an initial donation of $1,000 was given to the Drive during the Convention in 1963. GCSC was recognized as a Founder of the Ainsley Hall Restoration Fund, and was presented with a Special Certificate by Mrs. James Dreher, President of Historic Columbia Foundation. The Mansion assumed the name Robert Mills House because of the significant contributions of the architect. Plans were drawn for a park to surround the house.
GCSC adopted the Mills Historic Park on the grounds of the house as its Tri-Centennial Project, and additional contributions exceeded $5,500. “These funds will underwrite the cost of the beautiful entrance gateway on Blanding Street and a marker will be placed on one of the columns in recognition of our gift.” (Summer, 1969)
The Headquarters Fund had a balance of $17,276.87. The search continued. “….we feel there may be a place sometime for us.”
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