This week, I was so excited to interview John Sherrer, Director of Preservation, at Historic Columbia for Podcast #4 of the SC History Newsletter!

Here is the mission of Historic Columbia:

We share the complex history of Columbia and Richland County through historic preservation advocacy, innovative educational programs, and strategic partnerships.

Website: https://www.historiccolumbia.org/about-hcDonate: https://www.historiccolumbia.org/support/donateTickets for house tours: https://www.historiccolumbia.org/tours/house-toursHistoric Columbia Events: https://www.historiccolumbia.org/tours/house-tours

Here is John’s bio:

A Columbia native, author, and historian, John Sherrer has worked at Historic Columbia since 1996. As Director of Preservation, John heads the organization's historic preservation advocacy efforts involving research and programming, management of a 16-property easement portfolio, and historic tax credit fee-for-service projects. John holds degrees from Clemson (BA, MA: English) and the University of South Carolina (MA: Public History) and management certificates from McKissick Museum and the Southeastern Museum Conference's Jekyll Island Management Institute. John has served on the boards of the Columbia Development Corporation, the Columbia Design League, and the South Carolina Federation of Museums. A Leadership Columbia Class of 2014 alumnus, John recently was nominated as a 2023 Ambassador for ExperienceColumbiaSC.  

Other ways to digest this interview:

Read the transcript of the interview:

If you would like to READ the interview, you can toggle to the transcript of the episode above at our SC History Newsletter Substack page.

Watch/listen on YouTube:

If you would like to watch this interview, John also takes us through some beautiful images, and you can watch on YouTube here:

Time stamped highlights from the interview:

And here are time stamped highlights of our interview, including reader questions:

3:38 - John introduces himself, Historic Columbia, and describes his role as Director of Historic Preservation

9:36 - John describes the transformation of the Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens

25:16 - John describes working to establish the South Carolina Fall Line Consortium in 2002, which encouraged museums in the Columbia, Richland County, and Lexington County areas to make connections between their respective collections

30:41 - John talks about working with the community to establish the Columbia Historic Commercial District

32:25: READER QUESTION: From Rick in Greer, SC: Are there certain pieces of the history of Columbia that are beyond preservation that maybe only have been written about? If you could wave your preservation magic wand to bring those back to life, what would you focus on?

38:45: John talks about the impact of Sherman’s march on Columbia, SC’s history and landscape

49:38: John gives us lodging, dining, and activity recommendations for the “perfect long weekend itinerary” for history lovers visiting Columbia

65:59: Kate takes John through our “Carolina Questionnaire”!

76:27: John talks about how you can support Historic Columbia’s efforts

78:05: Farewells & good byes!

Thank you, John!

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