By Rachel Haynie Photos by Rachel Haynie

Former SC First Lady and Governor Jim Edwards with Mr. and Mrs. Grainger McKoy Renovation of the Governor’s Mansion is completed, and the First Family is well settled again. The commission responsible for the historic complex next looked to refurbishing the Lace House. When that project was finished, an events committee began looking for the optimum date for hosting a gala to celebrate the mansion’s first century and a half. They found it in a crisp late October Saturday evening.

Invited to the black– tie celebration were former governors and their families, commission and foundation members, sponsors and others from the business sector, and those interested in preservation and history.

Guests were able to drive up to the mansion entrance, then have their cars valet parked by Capital City Valet drivers who kept the queue moving smoothly by sprinting back from the parking area to retrieve the next vehicle. Some guests were dropped off for the 7 pm hors d’oeuvres reception in the mansion by limousines.

Just before 8 pm, guests began moving to their assigned tables. Inside, the place cards given them on arrival were their table numbers, and as the reception wound down, guests joined their dining companions under huge white tents set up adjacent to the fountain on the mansion mall. Southern Way catered the seated dinner, and floral centerpieces for the 158 round tables had been created by the Columbia Garden Club.

Former First Lady Iris Campbell shares a brief, sentimental reunion with Caroline Matthews who chaired the gala event. Matthews, a member of the Columbia Garden Club, has arranged flowers at the mansion over several administrations. To allow guests the opportunity to see the Lace House since its refurbishing had been completed, desserts, coffee, and after dinner drinks were served there around 9 pm. For the remainder of the evening, guests enjoyed dancing on the mall to the music of Second Nature.

The Governor’s Mansion Foundation secures funds to assist the Governor’s Mansion commission in acquiring furnishings for the Mansion Complex. The foundation also encourages, fosters, promotes, and sponsors events that help increase public interest in the Governor’s Mansion of SC.

Mrs. J. Donald Dial Sr with Mr. and Mrs. Robin Dial

Loyal benefactor of the Caldwell-Boylston Gardens, J. Donald Dial Sr. with J. Donald Dial Jr. Former First Lady Richard W. Riley with Mr. and Mrs. Ted Riley Mr. and Mrs. James Haltiwanger, whose daughter Katherine recently joined the mansion staff as assistant to First Lady Jenny Sanford, enjoy the gala. Capital City Valet drivers Austin Foley, Kelsey Powell, Chris Blaisure, David Flowers, Justin Williams. First Lady Jenny Sanford welcomes guests to the gala celebrating 150 years at the Governor’s Mansion