The University of South Carolina, the Center for Civil Rights History and Research, and McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture will host a community forum on Thursday, May 29, from 5 to ^ { 7 } { \mathrm { p. m. } } , to seek input from the public on the rehabilitation of the Booker T. Washington High School Auditorium. The event will take place at 1400 Wheat Street in the second-floor auditorium.
The only remaining structure from the once four-acre campus, the 1956 auditorium, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. For seven decades, Booker T. Washington High School was a cornerstone of Black education and leadership in South Carolina, shaping legacy that includes civil rights icons such as Septima P. Clark, J. Andrew Simmons, Modjeska Simkins, Matthew J. Perry, Lincoln C. Jenkins, Jr., and Simon P. Bouie.
The next phase of the project includes structural repairs, energy-efficient upgrades, and enhancements to community and student spaces.
“The continued support of
this project fortifies our efforts to preserve, document, and reconstruct the extraordinary histories of Booker T. Washington and the neighborhoods it served,” said Dr. Bobby Donaldson.
Following the financial grant guidelines, the design team prioritized:
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Restoring the building’s integrity, such as the roof and walls, to address water intrusion.
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Upgrading building systems to enhance energy efficiency and provide improved climate control.
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Creating welcoming spaces for community events and engagement.
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Honoring and educating about civil rights history by memorializing the building’s legacy.
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Enhancing the student experience by designing inviting study and social spaces.
The May 29 event will include remarks and a questionand-answer session with representatives from McMillian Pazdan Smith Architecture.
From 5 – 5 {: } 3 0 \mathrm { p m } , attendees will be able to view some
of the spaces to be renovated prior to the presentation. The presentation will begin promptly at 5:30 pm with a reception to follow. The Justice for All traveling exhibit will also be open for tours and
walkthroughs before and after the presentation and Q&A.
The historic restoration project is part of the Civil Rights Center’s ongoing efforts to document, preserve, and interpret the storied histories of Columbia’s African American schools including Booker T. Washington High School and the state’s civil rights history through archival collections, exhibitions, and public programming.
