The South Carolina Governor's Mansion and Lace House are 150 years old this year. The Governor's Mansion Commission and Foundation plan to celebrate the history of these handsome homes with a gala on Sat., Oct. 29.

The South Carolina Governor's Mansion was built in 1855 as the officers' quarters for a military academy located on Arsenal Hill. During the war the academy was burned, but the present mansion was spared. Shortly thereafter, the building was adjusted for a single-family dwelling and became the permanent home of the governor.

The first governor to reside there was Robert K. Scott from 1869-1872. All but three governors have lived in the mansion though not always under the most desirable conditions. It was patched through the years, and did not undergo its first major renovation until 1999 when Gov. James H. Hodges was in office.

In 1968, the adjacent Lace House, built in 1855, was purchased by the state through the efforts of First Lady Josephine McNair. Formerly the headquarters for the South Carolina Women's Temperance Union, under the direction of First Lady Lois West, it was adapted for use as an official guest house. It also was ideal for hosting events too large for the Governor's Mansion to accommodate.

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The Caldwell-Boylston House, built in 1830, was purchased by the state in 1978 during the administration of Gov. James B. Edwards. Richland Street was enclosed with impressive gates at either end while Gov. Richard W. Riley (1979-1987) was in residence. During Gov. Carroll A. Campbell's administration (1987-1995), a large fountain was built in the center and became a focal point of the complex.

The mansion and the surrounding complex have been home to 43 governors and their families. When a new governor and family move in they inevitably inherit different challenges and times than those that came before and each family has met those challenges and added uniquely to the rich history of the complex.

We inherited a beautifully renovated Governor's Mansion but with it an operating shortfall. Now, more than two years later, we remain open to the public by appointment but have reduced overall operating expenses by more than 40 percent. As well, thanks to the generosity of J. Donald Dial Sr., additional brickwork and the restoration of the Lace House garden have enhanced the grandeur of the houses and grounds.

Finally, under the direction of interior designer Kathleen Rivers, the Lace House has been refurbished and is regularly rented for weddings and functions. While the Lace House and the gardens are being enjoyed now by many more, they are also netting roughly $50,000 annually to aid the state with the maintenance of the properties.

Today, 150 years after the Governor's Mansion and the Lace House were built, these handsome historic properties and the surrounding complex are at the peak of their beauty. As historic homes owned by a state government, however, they will always need to be watched over and loved by the family in residence, as well as by other citizens concerned with preserving them for future generations. These properties are part of the unique historic fabric of the city of Columbia and the state of South Carolina and they should be supported and loved by all.

The Governor's Mansion Commission and the nonprofit Governor's Mansion Foundation invite the public to join the celebration of 150 years of history at the Governor's Mansion at the gala on Oct. 29. To purchase tickets, call (803) 737-3927. To book a tour of the Mansion or to purchase a mansion history book, call (803) 737-1710.

With the concern of South Carolinians, we can help preserve these historic properties for others to enjoy in years to come.