Memorial Rose Garden at USC Receives Stunning Renovation with New Pavilion

The University of South Carolina’s Memorial Rose Garden, located beside Lieber College on the Horseshoe, has undergone a significant transformation thanks to a collaborative effort between the Columbia Garden Club and USC staff. A new octagonal, copper-roofed gazebo now graces the garden, offering shade and shelter to visitors.

A Labor of Love and Community Support

The completed project was unveiled on March 17th at a private event for university leadership and members of the Columbia Garden Club. Improvements include a new ground-level irrigation system, a cohesive design throughout the pavilion area, the addition of a pergola, lamp posts and a bench.

“Like a blossom seeking sunlight, the new pavilion with its decorative iron, copper and brick looks to the legacy of surrounding historic buildings, walks, and roses for design inspiration,” said USC architect Derek Gruner.

Amy Louthian, chairman of the Memorial Rose Garden renovation for the Columbia Garden Club, emphasized the importance of the project: “We’re trying to make this space as beautiful as the Horseshoe. So many students and visitors walk by this spot — it deserves to be a focal point.”

Funding and History of the Garden

The gazebo was generously gifted by Yvonne Russell, a past president and longtime member of the Columbia Garden Club, and wife of Donald Russell Jr., son of USC’s 23rd president. A fundraiser organized by USC’s First Lady, Ero Amiridis, featuring a dinner with Coach Shane Beamer in the President’s House, provided funding for many of the garden’s new plantings.

The garden now boasts a variety of native plants and a handcrafted iron obelisk topped with a copper orb, in addition to the roses.

The Columbia Garden Club’s involvement with USC began in 1960 with the planting of the original Memorial Garden of Classic Roses behind the South Caroliniana Library. When renovations began at the library two decades later, the rose garden was relocated to Lieber College and renamed the Memorial Rose Garden.

Over the years, the Columbia Garden Club has continued to enhance the area around Lieber College with paved pathways, benches, an arbor, and a cast iron fountain. The portion of the garden west of Lieber College is dedicated to former USC First Lady Norma Palms.

Centennial Celebration for the Columbia Garden Club

This renovation project coincides with the Columbia Garden Club’s 100th anniversary, marking a century of dedication to beautifying Columbia landmarks. The Columbia Garden Club was founded in 1926 and established its Foundation in 1983, contributing to the beautification of numerous locations throughout the city. Learn more about the club’s history here.