Replica of iconic Dr. Who time machine on display at Hurd/St. Andrew’s Library
from Staff Reports
Fans of Doctor Who don’t have to travel through space and time to find a TARDIS this summer—just head to the Hurd/St. Andrews Library.
As part of the Charleston County Public Library’s “Endless Eras, Endless Stories” Summer Reading program, visitors can step inside the world of the long-running British science fiction series by posing with a life-size replica of the iconic blue police box, handcrafted by Adult Services Librarian John Strasburg.
Built from yellow pine over the course of just 26 days, the TARDIS has become a centerpiece of the library’s summer programming.
“I’ve been a Doctor Who fan since the late 1970s and have always dreamed of building my own TARDIS,” Strasburg said. “This year’s time travel summer reading theme finally gave me the push to make it happen.”
For the uninitiated, the TARDIS (short for Time And Relative Dimension In Space) is the Doctor’s time machine and spacecraft. Although it appears to be an ordinary 1960s British police box, it is famously “bigger on the inside,” allowing the Doctor and companions to travel anywhere in time and space. The series, which first aired in 1963, is recognized as one of the longest-running science fiction television shows in the world and has inspired generations of devoted fans.
The TARDIS will remain on display throughout June and July, giving visitors the chance to snap photos, sign up for the Summer Reading program, and celebrate one of science fiction’s most enduring icons.
The time-travel fun continues with a Doctor Who-themed Escape Room on Saturday, July 11, where participants will solve clues, unlock the TARDIS, and find the coordinates back to Gallifrey, the Doctor’s home planet. The event is open to ages 14 and older, with a maximum of six participants per group.
Hurd/St. Andrews Library is located at 1735 N. Woodmere Dr. in West Ashley. Registration is required. For more information or to reserve a spot, call (843) 766-2546 or email strasburgj@ccpl.org.
