Byrnes Auditorium Theatrical Lighting System

Byrnes Auditorium is named for James F. Byrnes, former S.C. governor and U.S. Secretary of State. The Public Works Administration Act of 1937 created jobs and public building projects with Federal spending. The University of South Carolina and Clemson University had already been designated for massive building grants when Winthrop began a campaign to secure its share. While a U.S. senator, Byrnes arranged for Works Project Administration funds to be used with matching state funds to construct three campus buildings – the auditorium, Thurmond Building, and Macfeat Nursery School, now the Macfeat House, a reception area created from the former Academic Computing Center. Winthrop received $302,000 in 1937 and an additional $10,000 in 1938. These monies were matched by state bonds to total $628,000.

Byrnes was completed in 1939 for over $400,000 by Hardaway Construction Company of Columbus, Georgia and exemplifies the monumental architectural style prevalent in Depression-era public buildings.

In 1955, a $45,000 four-manual Æolian-Skinner electrically powered pipe organ was installed in the auditorium. The organ contains more than 5,000 pipes in 78 ranks. It has served as a model instrument for many church and civic spaces throughout the South and is considered one of the largest and finest instruments in the South. Organists of worldwide fame have played and praised the instrument. The organ’s designer, G. Donald Harrison, died in 1956 and its tonal qualities cannot be duplicated today. The organ underwent a two-year restoration beginning in 2007, and a 2009 organ festival welcomed the instrument home. Named for Winthrop’s founder and first president, the David Bancroft Johnson Memorial Organ, is valued today at $2.4 million.

With seating capacity at nearly 3,000, Byrnes Auditorium is well-suited for concerts and special events. Several of the world's finest musicians and performing organizations have performed in Byrnes, including the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Vienna Boys' Choir, the Boys Choir of Harlem, Artur Rubinstein, Joan Sutherland, Count Basie, Woody Herman, and Dave Brubeck. In addition, Byrnes annually hosts the South Carolina All-State Chorus, which returned to campus in February 2025.

Winthrop alumni have fond memories of all the wonderful events hosted in Byrnes during their time as students, including Classes Night, Commencement, Junior Follies, Orientation, theatre productions and lectures.

The renovation project scope was limited and did not include new lighting or sound systems. The last upgrade to the theatrical lighting system was in 2004 during an infrastructure renovation. The upkeep and maintenance on the current lighting system is cost prohibitive to maintain. Simply put, technology has surpassed the lighting system that was installed 20 years ago.

A new theatrical lighting system will provide students and external clients with an enhanced experience and efficiency for Winthrop. It will also allow Winthrop to host the caliber of events as it has in the past, and also compete with larger event venues in Charlotte. The estimated cost for the new theatrical lighting system is $85,000.

The Class of 1975 selected the Byrnes Auditorium Theatrical Lighting System as their 50-year fundraising project. In celebration of their milestone reunion, the class will raise money for the new theatrical lighting system, but alumni and donors outside of the Class of 1975 are also invited to make a gift to the project.