Grace Beahm/The Post and Courier
I heard about this on the news this morning, and am sharing with you in case you haven’t heard yet. Below is an email sent to the College of Charleston community by the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions. Please be sure to think of Philip Simmons as you walk through our campus today.
Hello All,
The Office of Admissions and the Division of Marketing and Communications would like to inform you that 30+ white bows will be placed on gates around campus in remembrance of Philip Simmons, the famed Charleston blacksmith who passed away Monday evening.
An article in the Post and Courier this morning elaborates on the symbolism of the white bows in reference to Simmons’ work.
One little known fact about legendary blacksmith Philip Simmons is that he wasn’t crazy about his work being painted black, although much of it was. Instead, he preferred it be painted white. Philip Simmons, 97, passed away Monday evening. That’s why the city of Charleston plans to tie white ribbons to Simmons’ ironwork in tribute of his passing Monday at age 97. It’s the first of several tributes expected in the coming days as the Lowcountry bids farewell to one of its most talented and beloved craftsmen. Simmons died at 9:30 p.m. Monday, and those who were influenced by him remembered him as a father figure, mentor, teacher and friend. Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said Simmons was “at once a very gentle man and a great life force. His beautiful artistic creations, made out of wrought iron, grace the Holy City of Charleston throughout the downtown area and beyond.” Riley invited others to honor Simmons by tying white ribbons on their wrought iron gates or railings, regardless of who forged them.
