The renovation of the College of Charleston’s historic Cistern Yard is a recipient of three prestigious 2011 Carolopolis Awards. Towell Library and Porters Lodge each received an award and Randolph Hall received the Pro Merito (“For Merit”) Award signifying its second Carolopolis Award. Each year the Preservation Society of Charleston recognizes the outstanding achievement in exterior preservation, restoration and rehabilitation in the City of Charleston.
These awards are the result of a nearly four-year project started in 2007 to restore and preserve the three historic buildings.
Randolph Hall is the College’s most recognizable building and home to the President’s Office and other administrative departments. Its first Carolopolis Award was received in 1976. The preservation of Randolph Hall included every window, shutter and door being removed, restored and re-installed, as well as repairs to damaged stucco from the walls, and the capitals atop the six columns being replaced with freshly cast terracotta pieces.
Towell Library also experienced repair to its façade, windows and doors. Additionally, the building’s cheek walls were rebuilt, new tension rods and pattress plates were installed to strengthen the former library, the slate roof was repaired, and deteriorating brownstone was replaced. This structure was the first library on campus and is named for former professor and dean Edward Towell ’34.
Porters Lodge, once the home to the College’s janitor, benefited from the addition of numerous structural improvements to stop its arches from spreading. Other enhancements included new copper gutters, lights, plantings, irrigation systems, and a repaired brick hardscape.
This renovation plan was developed after an exhaustive, one-year assessment of the Cistern Yard. A comprehensive, two-volume conservation master plan for critical structural and façade repairs was created and work actually began in 2009 after securing a $3.7 million appropriation from the State of South Carolina.
The Carolopolis Award is a plaque placed on buildings that have been preserved, restored or are outstanding examples of rehabilitation. The award is presented to those individuals, businesses or organizations that currently own the property.
