Name/Title
S.C. Tricentennial Commemorative PlateEntry/Object ID
2002.10.1Description
South Carolina tricentennial commemorative whiteware dinner plate. The plate contains a red transfer print design depicting the three tricentennial exposition centers (Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville); the South Carolina State Capitol; the South Carolina tricentennial logo; and the state seals, tree, and flag. The rear of the plate features three stilt marks left over from the firing process.Context
Featured on this commemorative plate are several symbols of South Carolina and sites in Columbia, Greenville, and Charleston, each of which hosted major events for the 1970 South Carolina Tricentennial. The South Carolina Tricentennial celebrated three hundred years of South Carolina history, with the event in Charleston focused on colonization and colonial life (1670-1770), the event in Columbia focused on life from the American Revolution through the Civil War (1770-1870), and the event in Greenville focused on the final 100 years leading up to 1970.
The Hampton-Preston Mansion and surrounding grounds represented Columbia as the site of the Midlands Exposition Center. Over 135,000 people visited the mansion and the two geodesic domes erected on its east and west when the exposition center closed on June 30, 1971. The domes, incongruous with the mansion's historic architecture, served as temporary exhibition galleries showcasing South Carolina history from 1770 to 1870. Period rooms inside the mansion showcased the affluence and material possessions of the Hampton and Preston families from the Revolutionary War until the Reconstruction Era.
It is likely that this plate was produced by the Century Souvenir Company of Seattle, Washington, the sole and official souvenir licensee of the South Carolina Tricentennial logo. The company sold a variety of souvenirs, such as toys, pennants, postcards, and commemorative plates, and operated food stands during tricentennial celebrations. The South Carolina Tricentennial Commission, which received a percentage of the profits, made over $38,000 from souvenir and food sales.Made/Created
Date made
circa 1970 - circa 1972Relationships
Related Places
Place
Location
Hampton Preston MansionCity
Columbia, South CarolinaRelated Events
Event
South Carolina Tricentennial