Mann-Simons Outdoor Museum Gets New Interactive Wayside Signage

This family was very entrepreneurial. This sign focuses on the lunch counter that stood on this site from 1890-1908. The picture on the right hand site is of John Lucius Simons, the proprietor of the lunch counter. At the lower left hand corner of each sign is a QR code that will connect to mannsimons.com, a website with more information on the site. This sign explains the archaeological work that went on at the Mann-Simons Site. Under the direction of Dr. Jakob Crockett, HCF's Archaeology Coordinator, 7 years of field research yielded thousands of artifacts which give a more accurate picture of the history of this site. This sign denotes two different topics: Urban Renewal and Archaeology. Urban Renewal was responsible for the demolition of some of the buildings on the Mann-Simons Site. The main cottage was saved and is now a historic house museumView the list »
The Mann-Simons Site now has 9 new signs on its property

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The Historic Columbia Foundation is pleased to announce the completion of the Mann-Simons Outdoor Museum with the addition of interactive wayside signage and a new website on Wednesday, February 13.

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“The installation of the wayside signage and the QR codes they contain, which lead people to greater information via our website, is an exciting chapter in the expanded interpretation of this historic site," said John Sherrer, director of cultural resources at Historic Columbia Foundation. “It marks the culmination of seven years of archaeological research by Dr. Jakob Crockett and scores of researchers that has led to a heightened appreciation and understanding of the Mann-Simons Site.”

Located at 1403 Richland Street, The Mann-Simons Outdoor Museum features five “ghost structures,” frames of buildings that once stood on the site, including a former lunch counter, grocery store, outhouse and residences. These structures will now be accompanied by interpretative signage that tells the story of these former structures. This outdoor museum is a first for South Carolina and one of a handful of exhibits of its kind nationwide.

Mann-Simons Cottage
34.011696 ; -81.034248

Nine wayside signs will be installed on the site’s grounds, each with a QR code that, when scanned with a smartphone, takes you to a mobile website with more extensive information, photos and video about the Mann-Simons site, family and archaeological project. A desktop-compatible version of the site is available at mannsimons.com.

“These signs coupled with the ghost structures provide a unique interpretive experience that Columbia has never seen before,” said Sherrer.

Incorporating this free exhibit onto the popular property allows the community to better engage with the African-American heritage this site offers. The site currently is open for guided tours Tuesday through Sunday for $6, but this exhibit is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, free of charge. Tickets for the guided tour may be obtained at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills at 1616 Blanding Street.

Source: HCF Press Release

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  • This sign denotes two different topics: Urban Renewal and Archaeology. Urban Renewal was responsible for the demolition of some of the buildings on the Mann-Simons Site. The main cottage was saved and is now a historic house museum
  • This sign explains the archaeological work that went on at the Mann-Simons Site. Under the direction of Dr. Jakob Crockett, HCF's Archaeology Coordinator, 7 years of field research yielded thousands of artifacts which give a more accurate picture of the history of this site. 
  • This family was very entrepreneurial. This sign focuses on the lunch counter that stood on this site from 1890-1908. The picture on the right hand site is of John Lucius Simons, the proprietor of the lunch counter. At the lower left hand corner of each sign is a QR code that will connect to mannsimons.com, a website with more information on the site. 
  • This sign explains how the family coped with Jim Crow Segregation. Among the artifacts found was a bottle of skin lightener. It also tells howe the family coped being the only African-American family in a white neighborhood.
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Doug Steimle was born and raised in New York City. After graduating from ...

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