Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Cutting Pathways and Sowing Seeds
A Gift from the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026
1. Cutting Pathways and Sowing Seeds Marker
Visitors marveled at this property's towering hedges, rare plantings and sculpture until its last year as a college campus. During the 1970s, visionaries began work on re-establishing this former estate as a garden destination. Today, much of that vision has been realized through a major gift from the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boy Foundation.
[Captions:]
Cast for Romeo and Juliet
The estate's garden provided a whimsical setting for school plays, including Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," during the College for Women's 1910-1911 academic year.
In 2017, during Phase II of the garden rehabilitation project, more than 20,000 square feet of pathways were improved and equipment was installed to irritate 70,000 square feet of garden beds.
Erected by Historic Columbia Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 2017.
Location. 34° 0.654′ N, 81° 1.794′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown.
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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: A Natural Showcase (a few steps from this marker); Boyd Foundation Horticultural Center (a few steps from this marker); Hampton-Preston Sustainers Garden (a few steps from this marker); Preparing "Truly Educated, Christian, Womanly Women" (a few steps from this marker); Formal Education for a New Class (a few steps from this marker); Botanical Luxury (within shouting distance of
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026
2. Cutting Pathways and Sowing Seeds Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 20 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
