Meanwhile, Senate and House chambers are lined with prominent statesmen from South Carolina and elsewhere. Four U.S. presidents adorn the walls of the House, along with other South Carolinians. A statehouse tour is part South Carolina history lesson, historic building tour, interior design and architecture crash course. You will learn Lt. Gov. Bob Peeler often leaves his door open. You may wonder, after seeing his portrait and statue, if John C. Calhoun ever smiled.
Symbols are important.
Let there be no doubt South Carolina is the Palmetto State. Observe the palmetto fronds in the specially designed, loomed carpets from Mississippi and the cast bronze door hardware from Connecticut. One of the mightiest prizes of all, the mace in the House of Representatives, was made in London in 1756. It s the oldest original mace in the country. Made of silver and dipped in gold, it has etchings of the House of Hanover, Province of South Carolina and Province of England.