Phillip Simmons Gate
Charleston’s most celebrated master blacksmith, Philip Simmons, brings to his craft an eye for detail and an imagination well-seasoned during his 85 years in the Lowcountry.
With a rhythm all his own, Simmons hammers out designs inspired by the natural world around him – the palmetto tree, the ocean waves, the egret. His wrought-iron work can be seen all over Charleston, at the Smithsonian Institution and here at the South Carolina State Museum.
This full-size driveway gate was commissioned from the artist in 1985. A video program about Simmons rounds out the interpretation of this folk art from the museum’s permanent collection.
In an adjacent gallery are recent acquisitions. As new objects come into the collection, they are placed on exhibit for public enjoyment and enrichment. A mix of objects from each discipline emphasizes that it takes all areas to fully tell the story of South Carolina.