Longstreet Theatre, Columbia

The Longstreet Theatre is a historic building originally constructed in 1855 by South Carolina College, now the University of South Carolina. Designed in the style of a Roman temple, the building was initially intended to serve as the college's new chapel. However, due to poor acoustics, it could not fulfill its original purpose. The structure was named after Augustus B. Longstreet, a fervent secessionist and president of South Carolina College from 1857 until 1861. During Longstreet's presidency, the majority of the student body enlisted to fight in the Confederate Army, leading to the temporary closure of the school.

During the Civil War, the building found a new purpose as a hospital for both Confederate and Union soldiers. This use likely contributed to its preservation during the burning of Columbia. Over the years, the building's functions evolved, serving as a laboratory and gymnasium. In the 1930s, under the Works Progress Administration initiated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the building received an addition of a natatorium on its south elevation. Decorative tiles featuring swimmers and divers, which were added during this period, are still visible near the addition's roofline.

In 1976, the building underwent significant rehabilitation and was repurposed as a theater. This transformation included the incorporation of a theatre-in-the-round and a costume workshop, breathing new life into the historic structure. Today, Longstreet Theatre stands as a vibrant part of the university's cultural landscape, offering a unique and intimate space for theatrical performances and artistic endeavors.