Past Meets Present

A black and white photo of the old post office on Gervais Street, which is now the South Carolina Supreme Court.

An inquiry about the original doors to the Supreme Court of South Carolina building on Gervais Street turned into a treasure hunt, yielding images of Columbia that are pretty different than what we know today. The law librarian at the Court asked for anything we could find about the front doors to the building, which was a post office until the state bought it in 1966. Images like this one from the Digital Public Library of America show their appearance. Connecting with the National Archives, we learned that the building's architectural drawings and plans are on file in Maryland.

Upcoming Event

Image of the Liberty Flag.

South Carolina State Library supports South Carolina State Museum’s “American Battleground: South Carolina's Revolution” Exhibit Opening

June 27, 2026, 10:00 AM

Join the South Carolina State Library in supporting the State Museum's new exhibit, “American Battleground: South Carolina's Revolution.” Discover how South Carolina evolved from a prosperous British colony to a key battleground in the American Revolution. Visit the State Library’s table to explore resources on the American Revolution.