Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Allie Scollon Puppetry Center

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026

1. The Allie Scollon Puppetry Center Marker

Inscription. This building is dedicated to the founder of the Columbia Marionette Theatre, Allie Scollon, whose life-long commitment to the art of puppetry continues to inspire and enlighten artists and audiences alike. Her talent and abundant creative energy has sparked the imagination of thousands of children of all ages.

Erected 2006 by Columbia Marionette Theatre.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1988.

Location. 34° 0.336′ N, 81° 2.999′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. It is on Williams Street north of Laurel Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 Laurel St, Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Howard School Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Columbia Canal (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Memory of the Irish Who Built the Canal (approx. ¼ mile away); Irish Canal Workers (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Historic Columbia Canal (approx. ¼ mile away); Waterworks (approx. ¼ mile away); Riverfront Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Richard Samuel Roberts House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Also see . . . About us page on the Columbia Marionette Theatre site.

Founded in 1988 by famed puppeteer Allie Scollon and her son John, the Columbia Marionette Theatre (CMT) has established itself as a premiere children’s theatre in South Carolina. Our mission is to entertain and educate children and adults through the long-standing tradition and artistry of puppetry.

Allie3Originally
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026

2. The Allie Scollon Puppetry Center Marker
housed in a turn-of-the-century warehouse in the Vista, the theatre moved in 1995 to a building specifically designed and built for its use at its current location near Riverfront Park. Rededicated as The Allie Scollon Puppetry Center in 2006, the theatre features puppets from a few inches tall to over five feet appearing on a 30-foot stage.

(Submitted on January 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 49 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A photo of the theatre's building. • Can you help?