A view of the famous ironwork of Charleston is not complete without a glimpse into the life of the city's most celebrated ironworker, Philip Simmons. Born June 9, 1912 on nearby Daniel Island, Simmons attended local schools. However, his most important education was the one he received from local blacksmith Peter Simmons, who ran a shop at the foot of Calhoun Street.
Philip Simmons longed to work along side the master blacksmith because he "fell in love with metal." When he was just eight years old, he asked for a job shining shoes, holding the horse, turning the hand pull for the forge—anything to be near Peter Simmons. The master blacksmith told the boy to come back when he was 13.
Philip Simmons began work on the day after his 13th birthday, which marked the beginning of a 60-year career creating and inspiring the remarkable ironwork that has become synonomous with Charleston hospitality.
Simmons began specializing in ornamental ironwork in 1938. Today, his unmatched volume of decorative work—more than 500 pieces in the form of wrought iron gates, window grills, balconies and fences-can be found throughout Charleston.
In 1982, Simmons was awarded the National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor bestowed on a traditional artist in the United States by the National Endowment for the Arts. He was inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame in 1994; and the "Order of the Palmetto" was given to him in 1998 by Governor David Beasley. He also received commissions for public sculptures from the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia and the city of Charleston.
In 2001, Simmons received the Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Governor's Award for "Lifetime Achievement in the Arts" and was honored as a "Living National Treasure" by the Smithsonian Institution.
Simmons' work has grown well beyond the Holy City. Pieces of his work have been acquired by the National Museum of American History; the Smithsonian Institution; the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, N.M.; the Richland County Public Library, Columbia, S.C.; the Atlanta History Center, Atlanta, Ga.; and Brookgreen Gardens in Pawleys Island, S.C.
In 1989, the vestry and congregation of his church, St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston, dedicated the grounds of the church to develop a commemorative landscaped garden as a tribute to his exceptional mastery of wrought iron and in recognition of his inspirational character and self-assurance. The Philip Simmons Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization, was established in 1991 to develop and maintain the commemorative garden from design to completion and to preserve his legacy.
Ground was broken for the development of Phase I, the Bell Garden, in 1993 and blessed at the sunrise service on Easter morning in 1994. Simmons brought the bell that had hung in his shop for more than 50 years.
Phase II, the Heart Garden, was a permanent installation of the nature/human exhibit during the 1997 Spoleto Festival. The garden can be entered from Anson Street or from Menotti Street through the double-heart gates designed by Simmons and crafted at his shop by his nephew, Carlton Simmons, and his cousin, Joseph Pringle.
Simmons has been a subject of work by other artists. The Philip Simmons Children's Garden at 727 East Bay Street was dedicated in his honor in 2005 and features a bronze statue of Simmons with hammer and anvil.
"Iron Man," a portrait of Simmons by watercolor artist Mary Whyte, is part of the Gibbes Museum of Art's collection.
Simmons and his work are the subject of a photography exhibit entitled, "Keeper of the Gate: Designs in Wrought Iron by Philip Simmons, Master Blacksmith" by Charleston photographer Claire Y. Green. The exhibit debuted at the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum in Myrtle Beach in 2006.
Simmons also serves as an inspiration for future craftsworkers. Classes at Trident Technical College and the American College of Building Arts feature studies of Simmons' techniques.
His work also has inspired a line of jewelry that includes replicas fashioned into earrings and necklaces of the double-heart gate, the walkway gate, the star and fish gate, a palmetto tree, and egrets.
Original vintage poster art. A glimpse of European advertising at the turn of the 20th Century. Covering the walls of the gallery are large splashes of color inviting you to the Moulin Rouge and Monaco Grand Prix. The gallery’s selection includes the Belle Epoch, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and contemporary periods.
A celebration of Charleston’s unique architectural and cultural heritage. Whether buying or selling, our clients’ needs and interests come first. Our expertise is luxury property and our experience and knowledge in all types of residential and commercial real estate mean we bring you the best possible service.
Bocci's - a great Italian restaurant in historic downtown Charleston on Church Street. USA Today has called Bocci's one of the leading Italian restaurants in the United States. Bocci's serves full Italian fare, excellent wines, heavenly desserts and gourmet coffees all at affordable prices. Perfect for the whole family. Dinner nightly.
A view of the famous ironwork of Charleston is not complete without a glimpse into the life of the city's most celebrated ironworker, Philip Simmons. Born June 9, 1912 on nearby Daniel Island, Simmons attended local schools. However, his most important education was the one he received from local blacksmith Peter Simmons, who ran a shop at the foot of Calhoun Street.
Simmons began specializing in ornamental ironwork in 1938. Today, his unmatched volume of decorative work—more than 500 pieces in the form of wrought iron gates, window grills, balconies and fences-can be found throughout Charleston.
In 1989, the vestry and congregation of his church, St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston, dedicated the grounds of the church to develop a commemorative landscaped garden as a tribute to his exceptional mastery of wrought iron and in recognition of his inspirational character and self-assurance. The Philip Simmons Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization, was established in 1991 to develop and maintain the commemorative garden from design to completion and to preserve his legacy.
Simmons has been a subject of work by other artists. The Philip Simmons Children's Garden at 727 East Bay Street was dedicated in his honor in 2005 and features a bronze statue of Simmons with hammer and anvil.
Simmons also serves as an inspiration for future craftsworkers. Classes at Trident Technical College and the American College of Building Arts feature studies of Simmons' techniques.
Original vintage poster art. A glimpse of European advertising at the turn of the 20th Century. Covering the walls of the gallery are large splashes of color inviting you to the Moulin Rouge and Monaco Grand Prix. The gallery’s selection includes the Belle Epoch, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and contemporary periods.
A celebration of Charleston’s unique architectural and cultural heritage. Whether buying or selling, our clients’ needs and interests come first. Our expertise is luxury property and our experience and knowledge in all types of residential and commercial real estate mean we bring you the best possible service.
Bocci's - a great Italian restaurant in historic downtown Charleston on Church Street. USA Today has called Bocci's one of the leading Italian restaurants in the United States. Bocci's serves full Italian fare, excellent wines, heavenly desserts and gourmet coffees all at affordable prices. Perfect for the whole family. Dinner nightly.
