Michaels State of Main Street

Your presence is respectfully requested at the State of Main Street address saluting historic property owners, architects, developers, contractors and others invested in preserving the city’s built environment. 

Columbus Day is October 10. To call attention to Columbia’s position as the first American city named for the explorer credited with discovering America, John Sherrer, Director of Cultural Resources, Historic Columbia, will lead off a State of Main Street Columbia address at 5:30 p.m., First Thursday, October 6, 2016, Hampton Conference Center, Michael’s Café and Catering, 1620 Main Street. This news and public event also will launch a small show of local art and photography depicting some of the city’s notable preservation successes. 

Following Sherrer’s concise account of significant restoration and preservation projects that conserve Columbia’s architectural uniqueness, other speakers will add brief comments. Confirmed to speak are: Matt Kennell, Director, City Center Partnership; Amy Moore, City of Columbia Planning and Preservation department; and Dr. Lydia Brandt, Assistant Professor of Art History, University of South Carolina, School of Visual Art and Design. Mayor Steve Benjamin also has been invited to wrap up the State of Main Street Columbia address with commentary regarding preservation as part of his vision for the city. All comments will be brief. 

The public also is invited. There is no charge for attending.

Following the State of Main Street address, Sherrer will sign copies of “Remembering Columbia.” Images from the book will be shown on the electronic screens in the conference center during the brief event.