Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
A New Garden Rooted in History
A Gift from the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation
An appreciation for nature's beauty and power inspired the generations of people who planned and nurtured the garden that occupied this former estate from the 1820s through 1947. Today's landscape, rooted in those earlier efforts, thrives thanks to a major gift from W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation, which understands how the environment can impact a community's quality of life.
[Captions:]
Native and Exotic
The estate's original garden featured a rich assortment of native plants and exotic specimens imported from other regions of the United States and from overseas. One exotic variety, Japanese wisteria, grew trained on trellises and later ran rampant throughout the grounds.
Wish You Were Here
Postcards produced between 1900 and 1930 have provided important details a bout the garden during the property's use as a college campus.
Erected by Historic Columbia Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.
Location. 34° 0.645′ N, 81° 1.744′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in 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: Separate and Unequal (within shouting distance of this marker); Half the House It Used to Be (within shouting distance of this marker); A Powerful Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); More Rooms, More Work (within shouting distance of this marker); History Under Foot (within shouting distance of this marker); The Garden's Foundation
Additional keywords. landscape architecture
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026
3. Henry Michael Powell Memorial Garden dedication
Places of exploration and discovery, gardens are intended to inspire visitors young and old. With each passing year, plantings grow in ways hoped for and in directions surprising. They nurture the imagination and offer a retreat for recreation and reflection throughout each season. Through the eyes of a child, gardens can make grown-ups young again.
In this space, named in honor of Henry Michael Powell, parents Keith and Kelly Powell, sisters Annalise and Isabell Powell, grandparents Patricia and Joe Powell, and other family members, close friends and supporters invite you to discover the wonder and gift of nature.
[Caption:]
Henry's sisters, Annalise and Isabel, celebrate his memory during the unveiling of the garden gazebo on October 16, 2016.
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 63 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
