Get in touch

The Exquisitely Quaint Timrod Library

Oct 11, 2018

Originally published October 1, 2015

The historic Henry Timrod Library , one of only two membership, or subscription, libraries remaining in South Carolina, is still a vital and fully engaged entity today. Named for the Poet Laureate of the Confederacy, it was born from the zeal and forward thinking of 19 intrepid Summerville ladies in 1897. Caught up in the “enlightenment” of the Progressive Era, their enthusiasm led them to establish a Summerville Chapter of the Chautauqua Literary and ScientificCircle. Their numbers and vision grew, and by 1908, they were chartered as “ The Timrod Literary and Library Association ”. With the donation of land from the town of Summerville and eight years of fund raising and focused community cooperation, the present day building became a reality in April 1915. The original minutes from the Timrod’s inception to the present have given us a marvelous, and often entertaining, written record of the evolution of the Timrod.

The exterior of the building constructed by local black contractor, Jim Cooper, is an architectural delight, with its unique diamond paned windows that flood the rooms with natural light. It is included on the National Register of Historic Places (since 1979), and more recently was named to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Places of Distinction and is a part of the “Sweet Tea Trail” of designated sites to visit.

Two additions, one in 1927 and another in 1985 retained the original design, right down to matching the locally produced bricks. Thanks to the generosity of Catherine Peterman Stewart, a long-serving librarian, friend and benefactor, and the local Summerville community, these additions enabled the Timrod to continue serving its members and the community at large as Summerville grew.

Today, the Timrod still offers fine historic collections, with a focus on the civil war, and the local area, as well as current volumes and best sellers. Currently, programs available each month to our members and the public include: 2nd Monday Children’s Story Hour, 3rd Friday “Tea & Tales” with renown “Resident” Storyteller, Tim Lowry , and 3rd Sunday “Talking about Books”, a casual sharing of whatever you are reading and (like with all events at the Timrod) refreshments!

As the Timrod is a membership library , it depends on modest annual dues, gifts, bequests and the generosity of friends, as well as fund-raising events to maintain this historic building, its substantial collection of books and its place in the community. Some of our annual events include: the 2-Sunday “Southern Author Series” in February, a Patrons Party in May, a BBQ in September, our October Book Sale and Luncheon, and both large and small “meet the author” signings and talks.

Though now also connected to the world via modern media, our modest staff and governing Board welcomes and depends on our volunteer members to provide the personal touch, so as to retain the charm and ambiance we’ve come to love and support. Visitors are always welcome.

Annual Membership: Family- $15.00 Patron $50.00

Newer Post >

Mail

A Sweet Spring in Summerville

19 Mar, 2024

Experience the aptly named "Flower Town in the Pines"

At the Heart of Summerville: Flowertown Players

09 Mar, 2024

"At the Heart of Summerville" is a blog series dedicated to exploring the vibrant community of Summerville, South Carolina. From the historic downtown area to the surrounding districts, we showcase the people and places that make Summerville such a special destination. An interview with The Flowertown Players at the James F. Dean Theater in Downtown Summerville

A Hidden Gem: The Sue Sanders Memorial Summerville’s Walking Tour of Homes & Flowers

06 Dec, 2023

Unveiling some of Summerville's most iconic historic homes.

From Camellia to Cup: Summerville's Tea History

11 Sep, 2023

Sweet tea is more than just a refreshing beverage - it's a symbol of Southern hospitality and tradition. For many years, this iconic drink has been a staple of Southern cuisine, and nowhere is its history more celebrated than in Summerville, South Carolina, the Birthplace of Sweet Tea. The History of Tea Tea has a rich history in America, with its roots dating back to the late 1700s when French explorer and botanist Andre Michaux first planted tea at Middleton Place Plantation, which is in modern-day Summerville. Beginning in 1880, despite two failed attempts to grow tea in South Carolina, the federal government became interested in this new tea experiment. It established an experimental tea farm at the former Newington Plantation, leasing 200 acres from Henry Middleton. In 1888, Dr. Charles Shepard, a philanthropist and professor at the Medical College of SC acquired 600 acres of the Newington Plantation property. He established the Pinehurst Tea Plantation using plants from the government’s farm. He cultivated about 100 acres, built a factory, and began to sell his tea commercially, becoming the first successful commercial tea farm operation in the United States. After Dr. Shepard's passing in 1915, his plantation became deserted and remained so for over four decades until the Lipton Company purchased it in 1960. They salvaged the remaining plants from Pinehurst and utilized them to open a research facility spanning 127 acres on Wadmalaw Island. In 1987, an expert third-generation tea taster trained in London named William B. Hall, purchased the tea farm to establish what is now the Charleston Tea Garden. In 2003, Bigelow Tea Co. purchased the farm and partnered with Hall. The tea from the Charleston Tea Garden, all derivatives of Dr. Shepard's Camellia sinensis, is still growing there today and has earned the honor of the Official White House Tea and the Official Hospitality Beverage of South Carolina. You can also see specimens of the tea plants from the Pinehurst Tea Gardens in the garden of the Summerville Museum .

Bars & Nightlife in Summerville

18 Aug, 2023

Exploring the After-Hours Charm of Summerville's Nightlife

A Summerville Summer: Outdoors & Ecotourism

01 Jul, 2023

There’s a reason our town is called Summerville. Aside from its rich history and unwavering Southern hospitality, Summerville is also a mecca of outdoor activities.

At the Heart of Summerville: Virginia Lowndes Bailey

26 May, 2023

"At the Heart of Summerville" is a blog series dedicated to exploring the vibrant community of Summerville, South Carolina. From the historic downtown area to the surrounding districts, we showcase the people and places that make Summerville such a special destination. This ongoing blog series will feature interviews with local business owners, residents, and community leaders, as well as highlight the top attractions, events, and hidden gems in town.