Our Mission

The Philip Simmons Foundation is dedicated to furthering the legacy of one of this country’s most noted folk artisans. The Foundation, which owns the Philip Simmons Museum House and Workshop, documents and exhibits Simmons’ work as well as providing programming to educate future generations.  The Foundation's primary goal is preserving and communicating the artistry and legacy of this Master Blacksmith.  We further strive to support artistic excellence by protecting his historic contributions. Philip Simmons' story highlights his accomplishments and contributions to the Eastside,  the broader historic Charleston community, and the world.

OUR HISTORY

The Philip Simmons Foundation was incorporated in 1992 with a very diversified board of citizens. This board set out to make the request of St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church a reality: a commemorative garden in honor of Philip Simmons. With this goal in front of the board, it was perceived that the project would be a community-wide effort. The landscape architectural firm of Edward Pinckney/Associates, Ltd., (College of Charleston campus) committed to designing the garden. The estimated cost was $250,000. Next, the board along with some creative citizens who volunteered their talents, developed several marketing items to aide the fundraising methods. The results from their meetings were a traveling black/white photographic exhibit, a video, DVD, posters, a curriculum for grades 3-12, Christmas ornaments and cards, and jewelry of designs by Simmons in silver and gold. The 1995 production of "Keeper of the Gate" won a Southern Regional Emmy Award for "Outstanding Achievement in Television Programming, Excellence in Cultural Affairs Programs."

CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Elmer Gilliam, Jr.
President/CEO, Principle Engineering and Quality Consultant

Monique Gilliam-Avery
Vice President/COO, Owner, M.G.A. Prosperity Events & Concierge

Dianne Tindal-Sutton
Administrative Officer, PMIC, Owner MidTowne Real Estate Property Management, LLC

B. Aya Ofunniyin
Finance Director, Founder, Oisphere Enterprises, LLC 

Agent Owner, Dream in Color Travel, LLC

Executive Director, Davis Center Community Foundation

Olabisi O. Ajao, Esq.
Legal Counsel/Board Advisor, Certified Public Accountant

Attorney and Counselor at Law 

FOUNDING BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr.
Honorary Chairperson

David C. Floyd
President Emeritus, Director of Job Corp.

Jimmie Cobbs
Financial Secretary, General Contractor

Arnold Collins
Treasurer, Executive Director, Charleston County Human Services Center

Rossie M. Colter
Project Administrator, Realtor

Olga P. Burke
Owner of Affiliated Management Service

Herbert DeCosta
Preservationist/Construction Consultant

Sen. Herbert U. Fielding
Former State Senator, Lobbyist/Mortician

Lillian Gilliam
Retired Nurse/Daughter of Philip Simmons

Pearl G. Jenkins
Retired Educator, Realtor

Thomas M. Leland, Ph.D., M.D.
Opthamologist

Arthur C. McFarland, Esq. 
Attorney/Retired Municipal Court Judge

F. Truitt Rabun, Jr., FASLA
Landscape Architect, Landplan Partnership, Hilton Head Island, SC

Philip Simmons
Blacksmith

George W. Twiggs
Educator

Leo F. Twiggs, Ph.D.
Retired Educator/Artist

Maurice Washington
Former City Councilman, City of Charleston

Bishop James C. West, Sr.
Bishop, Diocese of the Southeast Region, The Reformed Episcopal Church

Dr. Lucille S. Whipper
Former SC State Representative