A.P. Williams Funeral Home, Historic funeral home in Columbia, South Carolina
The A.P. Williams Funeral Home is a two-story wooden building with a hipped roof, gables, and a columned front porch situated on Washington Street. The structure displays architectural features characteristic of late 19th and early 20th century Revival styles.
The building was originally constructed between 1893 and 1911 as a private residence before being converted into a funeral home. It became one of six funeral establishments in Columbia that served the Black community.
This funeral home served as a gathering place for Columbia's Black community, providing essential services when many establishments refused them. The building stands today as a reminder of community resilience and self-determination during a segregated era.
The building is located on Washington Street in Columbia and can be viewed from the street. Visitors should approach respectfully as this remains an active funeral home serving the community.
The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 as part of a documentation project on segregation in Columbia. This recognition helped preserve the story of segregated services and Black entrepreneurship for future generations.
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