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Free & open to the public!
Gardens at HC
Visitors can experience 150 years of local history at Historic Columbia’s 14 acres of public gardens. Have a picnic on the lawn of the Robert Mills House, wander through the lush grounds of the Hampton-Preston Mansion, or visit the newly updated gardens at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home, and enjoy the full splendor of our Living Collection.
Today at Historic Columbia
Start your experience at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills (1616 Blanding Street)
House Tour
Journey to Freedom Tour: Mann-Simons Site and Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
1:30 p.m.
House Tour
Robert Mills House
3 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Gardens at Robert Mills
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Garden at Woodrow Wilson Family Home
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Gardens at Seibels House
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Gardens at Hampton-Preston Mansion
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Preserving Our Stories
Preservation Economic Impact Study Report Released
The first of its kind for the Midlands, this report details the collective impact historic preservation has on Columbia's economy in four main areas: Jobs, Investment, Tourism Revenues, and Property Value Growth.
Research Projects and Initiatives
Historic Columbia is committed to preserving places and sharing complex stories from the past that connect us in the present and inspire our future. Read about our current and recent research projects that highlight Columbia's history.
Kugels & Collards: Stories of Food, Family, and Tradition
What began as a blog in 2017 as a part of the Columbia Jewish Heritage Initiative is now a book.
Tours
Connect with History
Our four house tours give you the chance to explore Columbia's history from antebellum to Civil Rights.
NEW!
Explore the Collection
Our object collection is now digitally available to the public for education and research purposes.
Upcoming Events
See All Events02 May
Thursday, May 2nd: 8 — 10 a.m.
Birdwatching in the Gardens | Migration Season
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
For Bird Watchers, late April through early May is one of the most exciting times of the year. Spring migration brings tons of warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and more species that we don’t normally see through South Carolina on their way north to their breeding grounds. Hopefully, some of these birds...
07 May
Tuesday, May 7th: 6 a.m. — 11:59 p.m.
1601 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201
We are excited to participate in Midlands Gives again this year on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, for an online giving campaign. Last year, as a part of Midlands Gives, we raised over $60,000 with 438 donations. This is a great community-wide day of giving, and it’s a fun way to raise money and awareness of Historic Columbia! HC has finished in the top of the leaderboard and has won the early morning Power Hour each year.
09 May
Thursday, May 9th: 8 — 10 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Grab your binoculars to join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda for a free, guided bird walk around the Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...
09 May
Thursday, May 9th: 6 — 7:30 p.m.
5317 North Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206
Step into the past with Richland Library and Historic Columbia's Curator of History, Rebecca Woodruff, as she shares the captivating history of Forest Acres, the "city within a city" established in 1935. Join us at the Richland Library Cooper branch for an engaging program where we'll unveil a new sign...
10 May
Friday, May 10th: 2 — 3 p.m.
Columbia Canopy Project Community Celebration | Prescott Manor / Ames Village
5715 Koon Road, Columbia, SC 29203
12 May
Sunday, May 12th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Explore Main Street with Historic Columbia.
16 May
Thursday, May 16th: 5 — 6:30 p.m.
2024 Preservation Awards Ceremony
701 Whaley St., Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia as we celebrate National Historic Preservation month by recognizing exemplary work in preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, and revitalization in Columbia and Richland County.
18 May
Saturday, May 18th: 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.
1031 Main Street, Eastover, SC 29044
Join Sylvamo and Historic Columbia for an exclusive access public tour of Kensington Mansion on Saturday, May 18. These tours will focus on the restoration and rehabilitation of Kensington Mansion, the site’s unique architectural features, and information about the families who lived and worked at the site.
19 May
Sunday, May 19th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
2025 Marion St., Columbia, SC 29201
Residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for FREE once a month thanks to Richland County! This month, visit the exhibits at the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House, the home to South Carolina's greatest human rights advocate.
09 Jun
Sunday, June 9th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
1619 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Explore University Hill with Historic Columbia.
13 Jun
Thursday, June 13th: 8 — 10 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Grab your binoculars to join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda for a free, guided bird walk around the Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...
15 Jun
Saturday, June 15th: 2 — 3 p.m.
Columbia Canopy Project Community Celebration | Greenview
6700 David Street, Columbia, SC 29203
16 Jun
Sunday, June 16th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for FREE once a month thanks to Richland County, with support from HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month, visit the Hampton-Preston Mansion.
21 Jun
Friday, June 21st: 2 — 3 p.m.
Columbia Canopy Project Community Celebration | Lower Waverly / MLK
2300 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29205
25 Jun
Tuesday, June 25th: 10 a.m. — 12 p.m.
Robin's Retirement Celebration
1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
On June 25, join Historic Columbia in celebrating the remarkable career of Executive Director Robin Waites! After 22 years of dedicated service, Robin is retiring, and we couldn't be more excited to honor her contributions to this organization and our community at-large.
Why Join?
If you look around, you’ll see Historic Columbia’s advocacy work everywhere—from the Bull Street development to the new Palmetto Compress building…and we’ve got big plans to save even more historic properties from demolition, but we need the help of people like you to make it happen.
Join TodayWhy Join?
Your membership helps us create entertaining historical programming that brings people from diverse age groups and backgrounds together. Our educational programs help explain the connections between our past and present, using history as a prism for a deeper understanding.
Join TodayWhy Join?
As a member, you’ll get discounted admission and early access to our most popular events. Joining Historic Columbia is a great way to “plug in” to the city’s professional network and get involved in your community.
Join Today