Institution: Richland Library

The State Newspaper Photograph Archive

The images in this collection are selections from the photographic archives of The State Media Company, which are stored at Richland Library. This digital collection will continue to grow as more historic photographs are digitized. A finding aid for the archive is available. The photographs in the archive date from 1955 to 2002 and were taken by …


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Mabel Payne Photograph Collection

The Mabel Payne Photograph Collection contains hundreds of photographic negatives taken by Payne and other local photographers between 1959 and 1970. These images depict historic structures such as Ainsley Hall (Robert Mills House), the Seibels House, the Hampton-Preston mansion, and others. It also depicts downtown neighborhoods that have since been lost through urban renewal projects. …


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Indexes of Local History and Genealogy

This collection includes indexes and finding aids for historical and genealogical information pertaining to Columbia, Richland County, and the Midlands. In addition, Local History staff maintain a guide to relevant subject indexes and finding aids available both from Richland Library as well as from other institutions focusing on local history and genealogy in the area. …


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Columbia Theater and Entertainment

A collection of programs and ephemera representing a long history of performance and entertainment in Columbia. This collection spans the twentieth century and features playbills and programs from the historic Town Theater and other local theatrical productions as well as novelties such as dance cards, movie memorabilia and event tickets.


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Yearbooks of Columbia Area Schools

This collection features historic yearbooks from local schools in the Columbia area. Most yearbooks were generously donated by members of the community. Help us grow this collection! If you have any yearbooks to donate, please contact the Walker Local and Family History Center at Richland Library, 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, S.C., or (803) 929-3402. Check …


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Oral Histories from Richland Library

In their own words, get a personal glimpse from residents of Columbia or Richland County into their experiences of life in the past! This collection of oral histories from 1985 to the present was collected by Richland Library staff and volunteers. Our oral history collection includes audio or video recordings as well as searchable transcripts …


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Maps of Columbia and Richland County

The Maps of Columbia and Richland County collection features an assortment of historic maps of Columbia and the surrounding areas. These maps depict streets, political boundaries, and school zones from the early twentieth century. These maps along with additional maps are located in the Walker Local and Family History Center at Richland Library.


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Fort Jackson Library Collection

A collection of photographs from 1950-1971 depicting the libraries, staff and patrons of Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C. In these years the Fort Jackson library stem grew from a Main library with 3 small branches to a centralized library system with more than 100,000 volumes. This collection was donated to Richland Library in 2015.


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Postcards of the Midlands

A collection of early 20th-century postcards depicting Columbia and the Midlands area of South Carolina. The postcards are available in the Walker Local and Family History Center on the third level of Richland Library Main.


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Richland Library Archives

The Richland Library Archives collection consists of photographs from library scrapbooks and collections that document the library’s history. This collection covers the early 20th century up until the present day.


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