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Columbia Archives sponsors special programs periodically to showcase various aspects of Columbia history. All events are free. Reservations are encouraged to assist us with planning. Contact Columbia Archives at columbia.archives@columbiaassociation.org or 410-715-3103 for more information.
New Columbia Archives exhibit showcases the history, lasting contributions of the Columbia Gardeners
As the fledgling community of Columbia grew from acres of farmland, one organization worked on literally making Columbia blossom. The first community garden plots in Columbia, for example, were cultivated where The Mall in Columbia now stands.
This fact, and so much more, are part of the records of the Columbia Gardeners, which were recently donated to the Columbia Archives. The history and records of this pioneering community gardening organization will be showcased in an exhibit at the Archives, which is located in the American City Building, 10227 Wincopin Circle in downtown Columbia.
A free reception marking the opening of this exhibit will be held on Wednesday, May 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. RSVP at ColumbiaGardeners.eventbrite.com or by calling 410-715-6781.
The Columbia Gardeners were and still are about more than growing vegetables. Their story is about persistence, passion and politics. The first gardens opened in 1969, and a “Permanent Plots Now!” campaign that lasted from 1972 to 1976 led to the establishment of the three county-owned garden sites that flourish and are more in-demand than ever. The organization’s website is ColumbiaGardeners.com.
The exhibit, “Records of the Columbia Gardeners, 1972-2013,” documents the history of the organization with letters, reports, maps, photographs and other historical items, which have been arranged and described by Columbia Gardeners historian Mary V. Gold. Anyone with interest in learning more about the gardening plots and how the organization grew is encouraged to access the collection during the regular hours of the Columbia Archives, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit runs through Aug. 30.
Columbia Archives, a service of Columbia Association (CA), collects and preserves the history of Columbia. The public is welcome to visit the exhibit and spend additional time researching to get a deeper understanding of the history of Columbia. For more information, go to ColumbiaArchives.org, visit the Facebook page or contact Archives staff at Columbia.Archives@ColumbiaAssociation.org or 410-715-3103.
WalkAlong with tour guides to explore the many facets of Columbia Town Center. Facts and trivia will pepper the conversation on three routes. All tours leave from the Columbia Archives office in the American City Building (10227 Wincopin Circle) in Columbia Town Center on Saturday, May 4 at 10 am. Each tour will last approximately two hours.
Choose one of the following itineraries, each lead by an informative guide:
Tour 1 will look back at architect Frank Gehry’s early career and Rouse Company connections before setting off to view Merriweather Post Pavilion and the former Rouse headquarters -- his two major contributions to the Columbia landscape. Get an idea of what Columbia means to Gehry and what having Gehry buildings means to Columbia.
Tour 2 will venture to the softer side of Downtown. A stroll around Lake Kittamaqundi will unveil Columbia’s skyline in a new light. Kennedy Gardens, the new grove of cherry trees and plans for new ways to get around Lake Kittamaqundi highlight the design of Downtown as the best of town and country.
Tour 3 will highlight Oakland Manor – the well-preserved 19th century mansion that has a long history that includes thoroughbred horses, Civil War militias, high society, hippie college kids and elegant weddings old and new -- not to mention Columbia artists Wes Yamaka and John Levering and Kittamaqundi Community Church.
Columbia Archives exhibit chronicles how Columbia began — with an idea and a gamble — 50 years ago
Columbia’s 50th birthday isn’t until June 2017, but the history of Columbia actually began in 1962 with the purchase of farmland, the first plots of what would soon become James Rouse’s planned community. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of that November 1962 purchase, Columbia Archives will be chronicling that story with a new series of exhibits and programs.
“Creating Columbia — The Idea and The Gamble” will be introduced at an open house on Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Archives, located at 10227 Wincopin Circle in Downtown Columbia. Photographs, maps, news coverage and correspondence from the time period of 1962 to 1963 trace the progression of Rouse’s thought process, analysis of the Baltimore-Washington area, his first forays into town planning and the first land purchases.
The open house is free and open to the public. The exhibit will continue until June 2013 and is open during regular hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Registration is encouraged but not required. Sign up at www.CreatingColumbia.eventbrite.com.
Columbia Archives, a service of Columbia Association (CA), collects and preserves the history of Columbia. The public is welcome to visit the exhibit and spend additional time researching to get a deeper understanding of the history of Columbia. For more information, go to ColumbiaArchives.org, visit the Facebook page or contact Archives staff at Columbia.Archives@ColumbiaAssociation.org or 410-715-3103.
A record crowd of over 400 riders turned out on a picture perfect day to tackle the 12 mile ride. Click here to find out more.
The “Green Books” reveal the thoughts, possibilities and plans for Columbia
The “Green Books”, bound volumes of documents that chronicle the thoughts, possibilities and plans for Columbia, have been donated to Columbia Archives by the Howard Hughes Corporation. The books have been under lock and key for years and long sought after by the Columbia Archives. “This is an extremely valuable addition to our collection, one we have been trying to acquire first from The Rouse Company and then General Growth Properties. We are absolutely delighted that we are finally going to be able to offer this body of work to researchers,” notes Barbara Kellner, Director of the Columbia Archives.
“Columbia is renowned for its visionary planning, and these books are a fascinating window into that process of a half-century ago,” said Howard Hughes Vice President of Marketing Barbara Nicklas. “These documents belong to the community now,” she added, “and their lessons remain touchstones for the next phase of Columbia’s future.”
The 32 books, titled “Columbia Institutional Development,” are filled with correspondence, reports, notes, clippings, background materials and some photographs. They chronicle Howard Research and Development’s (HRD) activities from 1963 to 1970 to identify, examine and create the major elements in Columbia that support the goal of creating a place that would meet the needs of the people – ideas that were first explored when the Work Group convened early in the process. Volumes are arranged by topic, including such things as Communication, Conference Center, Cultural Development, Libraries, Education, Recreation, Health and Religion, to name a few, and are annotated by Wallace Hamilton, who in late 1964 became HRD’s Director of Institutional Development.
The Rouse Company clearly had a sense that the comprehensive planning of Columbia was groundbreaking in the world of urban design and early on made the commitment to preserving the history. “Urban planners, sociologists, architects and others who create built environments, as well as the people who have made Columbia home, are fortunate that such a record exists and most fortunate now that they will be available,” notes Kellner.
Almost 50 years have passed since the beginning of the planning for Columbia, but many of the issues raised then are still relevant today. For example, the volume titled Cultural Development includes correspondence and meeting notes with major regional arts institutions. “These are some of the same conversations we are having today,” Kellner mentions.
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| Evelyn Chisolm, the first person to pluck the poetic phrases for possible street names, recently helped the authors of “Oh, you must live in Columbia” tell the story of how Columbia’s streets were named. It was more than 40 years ago when Chisolm worked for The Rouse Company and was given the unusual task. At a talk in November, Chisolm recalled how much fun it was to be able to read through some of her favorite authors’ works and be part of the exciting process. |
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| Missy Burke, Robin Emrich and Barbara Kellner continue to promote the book through speaking engagements. The trio enjoys talking about the book, and they also are interested in hearing from people who have stories to share. At a recent event, they heard one resident’s saga of searching for the source of his street name and where it led him. Dick Bush, who lives on Treefrog, doggedly tracked down the source years before “Oh, you must live in Columbia” was published. He also grew quite fond of frogs, apparently, as he and his wife began acquiring frog artifacts, such as garden statuary, jewelry, T-shirts, pictures suitable for framing and a clock that signals the hour with authentic frog calls. |
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If you have a story about your street to share please contact the Archives at columbia.archives@columbiaassociation.org. |
