Charleston’s Fireproof Building by Robert Mills
Robert Mills was born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1781 and graduated from the College of Charleston. People, especially architect people, argue about whether he is the first native born American architect or the second behind Charles Bulfinch, but I don’t care. The designer of the Washington Monument (Mills, won in competition) left his fingerprints all over the landscape of his hometown.
My favorite of his designs is the Fireproof Building, a muscular edifice at the corner of Meeting and Chalmers Streets. It was designed to live up to its name, meaning that it will not burn. Wood was not used in the structure of its design of its floors, beams or other spans. The walls, ceilings, stairs and floors all feel like they are hewn from one solid block of masonry, giving it a sense of solidity. Permanence. It was built as a repository for records, paper documents meant to be preserved for all time.
When I talk in there, it’s like the walls are recording my voice. Projecting it to the masses for all time. In the mid-90′s, I sang in the stairwell. When we visited as part of our War of 1812 Symposium pass, I could almost hear the echo of my own voice, barreling down through time.
It’s that kind of place. Almost never open to the public. Shrouded in mystery. Conjured by an American architectural icon.
The Fireproof Building, at the corners of Meeting and Chalmers Streets, on Washington Square Park in downtown Charleston.
The interior stair of the Fireproof Building by Robert Mills. I once sang right where I’m standing.
The view from the basement of the Fireproof Building to Charleston City Hall.
The basement of the Fireproof Building.
Though the Fireproof Building is not technically open for public tours, anyone can make an appointment to visit the building. Contact the South Carolina Historical Society to schedule a self-guided tour by following this link.
This post is part of a series on Charleston, South Carolina, the place I consider my hometown. A local’s-eye-view. Take notes, potential visitors. The first post in the series is here, the second post is here, the third post is here and the fourth post is here.
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Very cool, I have not been there and now I shall put it on my list. Perhaps build a fire in the basement and toast some marshmallows.
Haha. You might be asked to leave……..
Oh my how lovely is this? Lovely indeed. Love the pictures and love your rendition, not only do you have a way with words, you also have a lovely photographic eye.
It was a good day for picture taking.
Beautiful photos, Andra. Inspired me to open Google Earth and take a little stroll down Meeting Street this morning!
What did you see, Karen?
St. Michael’s, The Fireproof Bldg., veered off on Queen to look at Poogan’s Porch, the office bldg. where we met, the market . . . strolled to Marion Square and turned east to the the aquarium. Bright, sunny day back in 2011 when these particular photos were made. Fun!!
You might’ve even ‘walked’ by MTM’s office…….
Robert Mills is a cool person with an interesting story. He also designed the First Baptist Church in Charleston, where I was raised and attended most of my early life. Of the church, Robert Mill said, “The Baptist Church of Charleston exhibits the best specimen of correct taste in architecture in the city. It is purely Greek in style, simply grand in its proportions, and beautiful in its detail.”
As for the Fireproof building, I have only been in there once, and it was many years ago. I need to go exploring again!
I am a member there, and MTM admires the architecture.
They might even have old train books in the Fireproof Building.
That is really cool. Every city should have one.
One might look nice on a street corner in Montgomery.
A wonderful post! I LOVE this building too. And, just like you, I was compelled by the live nature of the space to sing in the stairwell.
I volunteered my time for many years at the SCHS. I helped prep documents and items to be scanned for microfiche. (Do people still put things on microfiche?) I loved being there. I also loved to be given a task to sort out and organize files. I spent many weeks organizing a yellow typescript of Elizabeth O’Neil Verner’s unpublished autobiography from which I later drew a talk presented at The Gibbes Museum of Art and then lauded by her daughter. (for all you non-Charlestonians, EO’NV was one of the many celebrated artists of the early 20thc in Charleston’s “Renaissance”.)
It was also the first place where I ever used a personal computer!
OH, Yes, the staff was very civilized there…we always stopped for “elevenses” and biscuits or nibbles.
What a cool task that must’ve been, Cheryl. I love how all these folders and papers peek out of every slot and cranny, just begging to be looked at.
I KNOW! Think of all the stories they contain!
Incredible building. Charleston was just another name to me – now I feel quite familiar with the city.
It is a great example of English settlement, Roger. Completely different climate, but I love how they tried to recreate a sense of home in very different conditions.
You provide such gorgeous narrative to the description of this building. I am enthralled at the idea of hearing the reverberations of the past still lingering in the halls. On some metaphysical level I kind of believe that, so it adds mystery and meaning to admiring an architect’s work of art. You and MTM have completely opened up my way of looking at architecture, Andra, and I’m most sincere when I say that. I feel a little awakened to see structures differently, and I hope I’m also absorbing some of your descriptive language. I’ve previously not really had much of an architectural language!
This is quite a compliment, Debra. MTM really opened up the way I see and experience architecture, but I enjoy writing about architecture – buildings as layers and characters – very much.
What a glorious building, Andra! Once again, I find I am drawn to the basement. As elegant as the rest of the building yet no-nonsense. Thanks for this fabulous post.
The basement is quite a spot in this building, Kate.
If I’m not mistaken, and I likely am but I’ll say it anyway, this looks like what I’ve heard referred to as a “dancing staircase”. I can’t think of a more perfect place to raise your voice in song, Andra.
Fabulous shots… Hey, is that the noted architect MTM standing there contemplating who was first… Mills or Bulfinch?
He probably is.