South Carolina State House and Grounds
1100 Gervais St
Columbia, SC 29201
803.734.2430

We invite you and your students to visit us and participate in an educational program at the South Carolina State House and Grounds. The history of South Carolina's State House is as colorful as the state itself. Begun in 1851, the original architect was dismissed for fraud and dereliction of duty and the structure dismantled due to defective materials. Work on a new structure was begun in 1855 and suspended in 1865 as Sherman's Union Army swept through leaving its mark on Columbia and the State House. Completed in 1907, the copper-domed granite building today wears six bronze stars to mark hits from Sherman's cannons. An African American History Monument in on the grounds.

We encourage you to experience the State House by participating in one of the following Discover Carolina programs. Pre-site, on-site and post-site lesson plans have been developed to ensure a quality educational experience for you and your students.

Park Interpreter Led Programs: A Field Trip to the State Legislature

Pre-site Activities On-site Activities Post-site Activities

By completing a field trip to the South Carolina State House and grounds, students will learn and appreciate the challenges of the legislative process and discover how a bill becomes a law. 

Grade Level: 8
Length of time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Standards: 8-7  Indicators: 8-7.1, 8-7.2, 8-7.3, 8-7.4, and 8-7.5
Maximum # of students: 50
Setting: State House

When students study the South Carolina State House and its myriad of statues and paintings, they will learn and better appreciate the complex and fascinating history of South Carolina.  While onsite, the students will have a chance to locate and identify monuments and markers that commemorate important events and leaders in the state's history and discuss and share their impressions of the SC State House monuments and markers.

Grade Level: 8
Length of time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Standards: 8-1, 8-2, 8-3, 8-4, 8-5, 8-6 and 8-7
Indicators: 8-1.4, 8-2.1, 8-2.3, 8-2.5, 8-3.1, 8-3.2, 8-3.5, 8-3.6, 8-4.1 thru 5, 8-5.1, 8-5.2, 8-5.5, 8-6.1, 8-6.4, 8-6.5, 8-7.1, 8-7.3 and 8-7.4
Maximum # of students: 50
Setting: State House and Grounds