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Please note The Museum of the Reconstruction Era will be closed for house tours Wednesday, Feb. 1 - Friday, Feb. 3 due to garden renovations, and the Robert Mills House will be closed for tours on Thursday, Feb. 2 due to a private event on site.

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2300 Taylor Street

Site of Black USO Club

Opened in February 1942, one year after the founding of the United Service Organization, this club offered leisure activities to black servicemen barred admittance into the USO’s main, whites-only, facility on Laurel Street. After World War II until integration, the Taylor Street USO increasingly became more of a center for the community where events for adults and children took place.  Following its closure in 1963, the facility functioned as Allen University’s student center.

  • USO club

    Smartly attired Katie Ruff and Sue Freeman at the USO Club, circa 1958. Image courtesy James Baker

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Historic Columbia

© 2023 Historic Columbia

Administrative Offices
1601 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Tours
All historic house and garden tours start at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills.
1616 Blanding Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Questions? Call (803) 252-7742.

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