University of South Carolina Libraries
4 v ( Historic Caroliiia LONGST JESSICA NASH Staff Writer Once upon a time, bleaiy-eyed freshmen stumbled through the rigors of early-morning calisthenics in the building now known as Longstreet Theatre. And budding young scientists pondered the mysteries of bacteriology and agricultural chemistry inside this imposing edifice on Sumter Street. Yes, Longstreet j hasn't always been Longstreet, and the theatre by any other name has had quite a past. Under Dr. Augustus Longstreet's presidency in the 1850's, university trustees approved funding for the con- es struction of a new chapel, to be called qu College Hall, away from the campus cen- als ter. This project was doomed from the tir start, though. According to Nancy Ash- we more Cooper of the Institute of South- th< ern Studies, it took forever to build, the construction company went bankrupt, wa and the roof blew off several times. sei Hie chapel's first?and last?sermon pu in April of 1855, exposed cacophonous Ro acoustics. According to Edwin L. Green's on* History of the University of South Car- ab* olina, "...Ordinary speaking could not lat be heard from the stage, owing not to an aft echo but to a general confusion of nois- the J /^\ You nujt^n PerSL jjic M W" } L -I . ' : *<! ' I. Stop by the Stuc 4th floor, Russel REET TH_ i 111 1! T^crcfr M l M M M KW-:M JUVUgOU MMWM as "the < - I i i Duri heres a long story the mid behind USCs j?? grand theater ^KIta _J2^???This pr when the hall was filled with an un- 111311 iet audience." A building committee old gym ? claimed that College Hall was "en- atre. ely unsatisfactory, not elegant, not In 1 11 built," says Green. This cemented forade 3 project's reputation as a-disaster. dgftes ii During the Civil War, College Hall most 20 s used alternately as a stable, anar- ing to s< ial, and a hospital, as were other cam- ,,p p_H s buildings. The modern-day "Green ,. om," where actors wait backstage, a ^ im*" ? served as a morgue. (Pun to think co Dut between scenes.) The state legis- View. 1 ure met in College Hall temporarily rumors < er the war, but the acoustics forced disgrun jm out. . from th HI i J olin r congenial J ma I stereo... E . A ^ A ^ J rap the y ^ besi ISC 90.5FM | *> . ..-V* < ' Get a head start on your career, The Gamecock Advertising Department is seeking energetic, self-starters as Account Executives. Incredible "earn as you learn" opportunity. Experience is not required but a positive attitude is! lent Media Advertising I 1 House and start your a E EATRi ie 1880's, extensive renovat tne virtually aoanaonea cn mce classrooms and a gymi Dm then on, even the name' ill" slipped into oblivion, eet Theatre was known sii old gym," says Cooper, ng campus-wide renovatioi -1970's, the inside of the old ted and the acoustics comp le to make room for the the lenfs new "theatre-in-the-roi oject did leave the exterioi vival facade intact, though. l was reborn as Longstreet1 980 the theatre was the v< bate among presidential ca 1 the Republican primary. 0 students waited outside, je a future president. And re Hootie-lovin' world can c ise of Longstreet's Corintl s on the cover of Cracked 1 "here have even been occasi of ghost sightings?perhaps s tied Confederate dead left e theatre's hospital heyday. 9th cent aff Reports If vou're interested in Sout a history, you're in for a pi prise at McKissick Museun i of 140 glass-plate photog its of 19th century Charles i architecture will be on dis museum from Sept. 17- C George LeGrange Cook, a j her of the 80's, uh- the 18 featured artist. His wort t photographic record of Cha ;ure post- Civil War. Most photographers mad . ' 1 -J )epartment. ireer today! TC 1 H I -j IIUIIO apel iasi'Col and nply I is in I gym I letelatre ind." I RoThe Themue indiM. I hop- J r n0W fiHtf -vWjr atch * mmM lian >42 some over Longstreet Theatre Is a faml ury Charlestc fortunes shooting portraits durii 19th century. Because of this, c li Car- al scenes are rarely depicted ii easant tography from this era. 1. A se- Cook was the exception to th< raphic He was the son of the well-k: ton life Southern photographer, George! play at Cook, the only Civil War photog >ct. 29. er for the Confederacy. Because jhotog- common bond of photography, 80's, is became a close friend of the fa ; is the Union Civil War photographer Wk irleston Brady and managed Brady s stu< a time. George LeGrange Cool e their over his father's Charleston stu A vvuujlll MANAGEME program for student: < LIGHTE program wl behavioral i i i _ neip you 10 Sponsored by the Th Health & Wt wk* > BB f WB I i I I jffl 9 I ^ J| I 1jjl J 9 ^ *> 1^| iliar landmark and a constant history lesi >n artist on dis] ig the 1880 and began to experiment outside ultur- portrait photography. 1 pho- Country landscapes, architecture, business life and leisure activities are 5 rule, all included in the exhibit. It also intiown eludes several images of buildings damSmith aged by the 1886 earthquake. Cook ;raph- made a name for himself with his of the "earthquake views," as he sold nearly Cook 200 different pieces to the public, mous "Visitors will be encouraged to see itthew beyond the nostalgic scenes and view ho for the photos from the perspective of 19th c took century Charlestonians, keeping in min^ fViof QTrnrtT+VtinfT ia mnfnmnnrijrv IUL\S 111 IIIHIU biiuv V/ T VIJ mm wuwiu|A/tutj V / iV UP! is an 8-w< tiich emphasizes tf and fitness change ose weight... XD KEEP IT 4 omson Student Health Center and i illness Programs. Call 777-8248for Tuesday, September 19,1995 ^ linnf I ..." Wm m 7. . , " -", ;,. . , ROBERT WALTON The Gamecock ton for USC students. play at USC in its own time," said Jay Williams, the museum's chief curator. "Keeping that perspective fosters an understanding of how 19th century Charlestonians responded to events and to their environment." The glass-plate photographs are part of USC's South Caroliniana Library collections. Local historian Harvey Teal, who has researched South Carolina photography, contributed to the McKissick collection. McKissick exhibits are free and open to the public. ?ek, self-paced le nutritional, s necessary to r>FF! mplemented by Open Door more information.