GMK Project in Williamsburg County Wins 2015 Historic Preservation Honor Award
June 8, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – GMK Associates, Inc., announced that the firm’s major renovation to the Williamsburg County Courthouse has received a 2015 Historic Preservation Honor Award from The Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation. This annual award presented in conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Archives and History and the Office of the Governor celebrates up to five successful and exemplary historic preservation projects from across the state of South Carolina that demonstrate a commitment to preserving South Carolina’s rich history.
The Williamsburg County Courthouse is an historic structure located in the downtown business district of Kingstree, SC, and is listed in the National Register as part of the Kingstree Historic District. The courthouse was originally designed by South Carolina-born architect Robert Mills in a Roman Neo-Classical style and was constructed in 1823. In 1883, the top story of the courthouse burned, but was subsequently repaired. In 1856 and 1901, the courthouse underwent various additions and renovations. In 1954, the courthouse was substantially remodeled again by attaching a three-story wing onto the rear of the structure. The most recent renovation designed and constructed by GMK in 2013 entailed repairs of deteriorated interior and exterior elements and other renovations that keep with the original period of construction, as well as modernizations that allow the structure to continue to function as a courthouse. The courthouse is currently one of only two Robert Mills-designed courthouses in the state that still serve as active courthouses.
“We are thrilled that this project has been recognized with this prestigious award,” said the Honorable Stanley Pasley, the Williamsburg County Supervisor. “It was a true challenge to incorporate modern improvements while maintaining the historic character of the structure that defines our downtown,” added Pasley. “This award is a testament to the exceptional hard work of the GMK project team and the dedication, vision, and collaboration of the entire Williamsburg County community.”
Representatives of GMK Associates and Williamsburg County were on hand for the formal Awards Ceremony on June 5, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. in the lower lobby of the State House in Columbia, SC. The award was presented by Lieutenant Governor Henry McMaster, and the ceremony was followed by a reception at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home on Hampton Street.
About GMK Associates, Inc.
GMK Associates, Inc., is a multi-disciplinary planning, design, and construction services firm focused on the healthcare, education, government, utility, senior living, and hospitality industries. Established in 1966, the firm is based in Columbia, SC, with satellite offices in Greenville, SC, Raleigh, NC, and Augusta, GA. GMK employs close to 70 professionals and is comprised of five distinct divisions — architecture, engineering, interior design, design-build, and construction services.
The Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization operating in South Carolina since 1990, dedicated to preserving and protecting the irreplaceable architectural heritage of South Carolina. The organization is South Carolina’s only statewide partner with the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
