Art and Treasures on the Third Floor of the Main Library

Map of the Third Level

Portrait of Henry Timrod, South Carolina Poet
(located in Third Level Gallery, to the left of Walker Local History Room)

Henry Timrod (1829-1867), South Carolina's cherished poet, spent the last years of his life in Columbia where he was assistant editor of the Carolinian,a daily newspaper. A lawyer, tutor, poet and journalist, the Charleston-born Timrod served with the Confederate Army as a war correspondent, but resigned in 1862 because of ill health. Timrod died in 1867 and was buried in Columbia's Trinity Churchyard.

Assembly Street Market, Sargeant Studios
(located in Walker Local History Room)

This photograph of the Market on Assembly Street in 1934, the precursor of the present day South Carolina Farmer's Market, depicts a bustle of activity. The grounds of the State House are on the right side of the photograph. In the background is the old DeSoto Hotel. Near the center, is the steeple of St. Peter's Catholic Church. Today, the Richland County Public Library is located next to St. Peter's Church.

Five Points, 1939, Charles Old Studio of Photography, (1895-1971) Silver Gelatin Print
(located in Walker Local History Room)

This detailed panoramic view of Five Points shows the Economy Drug Store as it was in 1939, now the location of Yesterday's Restaurant.

Pine Straw Basket, Lee Sipe, Local Artist
(located in Walker Local History Room)

Winner in the professional and amateur division, South Carolina State Fair, October 1986.

 
. An Accurate Map of North and South Carolina, with their Indian Frontiers, Henry Mouzon Jr., mapmaker, London, May 30, 1775
(located in Walker Local History Room) A gift from Joseph Walker.

This large 1775 map of North and South Carolina, printed in London on the eve of the American Revolution, covers the coast westward to the Appalachian mountains and shows roads and Indian paths. Because of its detail, and the fact that it was the most up-to-date map of the area at the time, it was used extensively by both British and American Armies during the Revolutionary War.

Portrait of Washington Irving
(located in Third Level Gallery, to the right of Walker Local History Room) Gift to the Richland County Public Library Trust by Mr. & Mrs. George Bowman Hartness.

The Musician with Timbrels, Sculpture, Jean McWhorter, Columbia Sculptress
(located in Third Level Gallery, near Walker Local History Room) A gift from the Friends of the Library.

Murals, seals, commemorative medallions, drawings, paintings, sculpture and ceramics…there is no limit to the imagination and ability of artist Jean McWhorter. In 1961, McWhorter joined the staff at the Richland Art School, a division of the Columbia Museum of Art.

"Millwood Ruins, the Ghost of Millwood," Blue Sky, Columbia Artist Medium: Acrylic on Belgian Linen, 1983
(located in Third Level Gallery, to right of Walker Local History Room) A gift from the artist.

Blue Sky has made a true impact on contemporary art in South Carolina. Best known for his three-story mural, "Tunnelvision," his "larger than life" approach to art has resulted in several outdoor murals and national attention.

Antique Breakfront, circa 1840-50, Gothic Revival
(located in Third Level Gallery, to the far right of the Walker Local History Room) Donated by Seibels Bruce Group, Inc., parent company of South Carolina Insurance Company.

The breakfront belonged to Columbia native Mrs. James H. Fraser (Angelica Van Buren Simpson), the great-great niece and namesake of Sarah Angelica Singleton Van Buren, the wife of President Martin Van Buren's eldest son Abram.

This important piece of mid-nineteenth century furniture is thought to have belonged to the Van Buren family and was used by the Singleton's at Kensington Plantation.

Origami Peace Cranes, Sculpture, Jonathan Baxter, Charlotte, N.C. Artist
(located in Third Level Gallery, inside Breakfront)

Lucy Hampton Bostick, Portrait and Plaque, Itaru Nakao, Artist
(located in Third Level Gallery, outside Lucy Hampton Bostick Board Room)

Lucy Hampton Bostick (1898-1968) was the librarian at the Columbia Public Library from 1928-1934 and at RCPL from 1934-1968.

She was known as a devoted librarian and citizen, whose zeal, initiative and resourcefulness contributed to the cause of books and libraries in Richland County and the state of South Carolina. Her faith in the development of sound character through the wise use of books is reflected in this library and the RCPL branches.

"Pondsy" painting, Declan Mahoney, European Artist
(located in Lucy Hampton Bostick Board Room, Reception Area)
Donated by Mrs. Ed Bagwell in remembrance of her husband and longtime Friend of the Library.

Alto Vase, Alvar Alto, Finnish Architect
(located in Lucy Hampton Bostick Board Room) Donated by Maryann Pietila, former library staff member.

Simmons Piece, Ornamental Ironwork, Philip Simmons, Charleston Blacksmith
(Overlooking Assembly Street) A gift from the Friends of the Library.

This six foot by six foot wrought iron gate features coral vine weaving throughout and an Indian symbol for the three rivers, the Broad, Saluda and Congaree.

Bronze Lion, Sculpture, Ralph Stroman
(located in Third Level Gallery, to the right of the Breakfront) A gift from the artist.

A lawyer by trade, Ralph Stroman has completed 19 pieces of which 17 have been cast in bronze or bonded bronze.

Library Card of Lt. Col. Charles Bolden, Pilot, NASA, Columbia Native
(located in Third Level Gallery, on wall to the left of the elevator)

Flew with Space Shuttle, Columbia STS 61-C, January 12-18, 1986. Bolden's was the first library card in space.

"True Sky", painting (located along orange wall)

Art on the Second Level