What city was the first capital of South Carolina and was also the location of the first State House?
Answer: Charleston, SC
Why was the capital moved to Columbia?
Answer: Because Columbia is the geographic center of the state and the General Assembly wanted a central
capital for the Upstate and the Lowcountry.
Why did the state/legislators want to build a second State House in Columbia?
Answer: They wanted to build a fireproof State House to preserve state records and documents.
Who were Charleston and South Carolina named after?
Answer: King Charles II from England.
The majority of the State House is made of two types of stone. What are they?
Answer: Blue granite (our state stone) and marble.
What war delayed construction of the State House? Who was the Union general whose troops
came through Columbia?
Answer: Civil War; General Sherman
Why are there six bronze stars on the west/southwest sides of the State House walls?
Answer: The stars show where cannonballs hit the State House during the Civil War.
What two state officials in the executive branch have their offices in the lower lobby?
Answer: The Lieutenant Governor and the Governor.
In the main lobby located upstairs, what Revolutionary War battles are shown by two large paintings
on either side of the walls?
Answer: The battle of King’s Mountain and the battle of Cowpens.
Why do we have two state house domes?
Answer: A smaller dome was built inside the larger, outer dome to center it aesthetically within the inside of
the building
The law-making body of South Carolina (the legislative branch) is called the General Assembly.
What are the two groups that make up this body?
Answer: The Senate and the House of Representatives.
.
How many members does the Senate have? Who leads the Senate?
Answer: 46; Lieutenant Governor.
What important man from South Carolina has his portrait over the main desk in the Senate chamber
AND a statue in the main lobby?
Answer: John C. Calhoun.
South Carolina is the only state to have a double-sided seal. The front side of the seal has one of our
state mottos on it. What is the motto written on the front side?
Answer: Prepared in mind and resources.
The opposite side of the state seal has a second state motto. What is the motto written on the back
side of the seal?
Answer: While I breathe, I hope.
How many members do the House of Representatives have? Who presides over the House chamber?
Answer: 124, Speaker of the House.
The Senate and the House chamber have two symbols of authority which are placed at the front of
the desk to represent that the legislative branch is in session. What is the symbol of authority for
each chamber?
Answer: The Senate sword and the House mace.
What happened to the House mace during the Revolutionary War?
Answer: It was hidden from the British but its location was lost for 40 years.
The General Assembly is only in session for part of the year. What month does the legislative body
begin working and what month do they end working?
Answer: From January to June.
What is the artwork located on the balcony of the third floor called?
Answer: Mosaic glass.
DIRECTIONS: Teachers/Chaperones: Verbally read the clues to your group and assist them in discovering the answers to
the following hints. If your group is stumped, use the clues and the map to find the monuments on the State House
grounds. Have your group write down the name of the monument and its location. Happy Hunting!
1. In backwoods swamp,
In open field,
Our bravery made
The British yield
6. In one of the stories
Told of me,
I’m chopping down a
Cherry tree.
11. His bravery in battle
Knew no bounds.
He’s the only man buried
On our State House grounds.
Clues: Wizard Owl, Gamecock, Swamp Fox.
Clues: One of six copies in the US, but my
cane is broken.
Clue: Gravestones are on property I once owned.
2. I do so much more than
Just look nice;
I tell the tale of
Freedom’s price.
7. Before blue granite,
Made of wood;
The second capitol
On this spot stood.
Clue: Rubbing Stones from Africa.
Clues: I burned down from Sherman’s
march through town.
3. Although my public service
Did greatly vary,
Most folk during my time,
Knew me as one most legendary.
8. For the love they stood tall
Like our grand state tree
Which represents all.
Clue: Most distinguished South Carolinian
of his time.
Clues: I am a symbol on the state flag.
4. Our fallen soldiers
We do not see;
Remember them
When you look at me.
9. Twinkle, twinkle little star,
Find out where
Six of us are.
Clue: Markers for where cannonballs hit.
Clue: Southern Soldiers of Civil War.
5. I helped found Clemson College
And Winthrop College too
And from the front of the grounds
My one eye is on you
Clue: Also known as “Pitchfork.”
10. In times of peace,
Wars large and small,
We heard and we
Answered our country’s Call.
Clue: Several flags fly.
12. We were made safe because these saw
Their calling in life as enforcing the law
Far too often the courageous died,
And in my granite do their names abide.
Clue: Five granite panels with names of officers who died
in the line of duty
13. Across the south plaza in bronze I stride,
My name and unchanged legacy tied.
To the state and country I so long served
‘til I received my rest so richly deserved.
Clues: One of the nation’s longest serving US Senators,
died at age 100.
14. Though I am not the real one,
I was placed here to bring
Memories of the first which states,
“Let freedom ring.”
Clues: The original is found in Philadelphia.
15. My first love was South Carolina,
Its blood ran through my veins,
And as general, governor, senator,
My hands firmly held its reins.
Clue: Behind me stands a building which honors my name.
ANSWERS:
1. Rev. War Gen.
2. African American
3. James F. Byrnes
4. Confederate Mon.
5. B. R. Tillman Mon.
Location:
Location:
Location:
Location:
Location:
6
9
5
1
20
6. Geo. Washington
7. Old State House
8. Palmetto Reg. Mon.
9. Bronze Stars
10. Old State House
Location:
Location:
Location:
Location:
Location:
25
22
23
24
22
11. Grave of Lunsford
12. Law Enforcement
13. Strom Thurmond
14. Liberty Bell
15. Gen. Hampton
Location:
Location:
Location:
Location:
Location:
16
26
14
11
10
Pendleton Street
Solomon Blatt Building
2
Wade Hampton
Building
Rembert Dennis Building
Marion
Gressette
Building
3
4
Assembly Street
Sumter Street
John C. Calhoun
Building
Edgar Brown Building
5
6
8
7
9
State House
24
Visitors
Entrance
6
5
4
3
2
2
23
22
7
2
8
9
Gervais Street
Parking (buses, vans, etc.) is permitted only at the metered spaces along
Sumter Street, Assembly Street, Senate Street and Pendelton Street. If
parking is not available, drop off passengers on the Sumter Street side
of the State House and send the buses to the Coliseum parking lot on
Park Street.
Statues look inviting for play. However, out of respect for the symbols
and safety for our visitors, we must insist that people do not walk on,
play on, climb or otherwise disturb the statues and monuments on the
South Carolina State House grounds.
If your group is interested in meeting with their legislator, you must
make those arrangements with the legislator’s office.
We do have public restrooms and recommend all guests take advantage
of these before the tour begins.
Name of Group:
Leader’s Name:
Date:
Cell Phone:
Time:
Alternative Phone:
Upon arrival this sheet must be given to our office staff.
1.
19.
37.
2.
20.
38.
3.
21.
39.
4.
22.
40.
5.
23.
41.
6.
24.
42.
7.
25.
43.
8.
26.
44.
9.
27.
45.
10.
28.
46.
11.
29.
47.
12.
30.
48.
13.
31.
49.
14.
32.
50.
15.
33.
16.
34.
17.
35.
18.
36.