Historic Columbia Foundation Establishes Garden District

Project Background

Columbia, South Carolina is a community steeped in history and its numerous historic and cultural landscapes are an important component in telling the story of the region. Historic Columbia Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to the preservation of local built and cultural history and currently serves as the steward of six historic properties in the city center, five of which have significant historic landscapes.

Through a collaborative effort between Historic Columbia Foundation, community leaders, government officials, and the consultant team from Robert and Company a Cultural Landscape Master Plan, which establishes a vision for the Foundation’s properties and the district, was adopted in April 2007. The Master Plan is viewed as the first of several steps that can be taken to ensure the preservation of significant landscapes and at the same time serve as a catalyst for improving the neighborhood in which these properties are located.

Master Plan Vision

The Cultural Landscape Master Plan serves as a guide for Historic Columbia Foundations, the city of Columbia, Richland County, Columbia Green, local garden clubs, and others interested in landscape preservation, heritage tourism and local economic development. Efforts to restore and interpret the gardens should balance the preservation of the gardens, meet the needs of the community, and provide educational opportunities for visitors.

This historic landscape initiative should seek to complement the rich history portrayed at Historic Columbia’s house museums so that a more complete story of Columbia’s history can be told. The development of this document is a recognition by Historic Columbia and its partners that the restoration of the historic landscapes is a long-term organizational and financial commitment, and recognizes that this commitment can better the quality of life for the entire community.

Project Goals

1. Implement the garden restoration or renovation of landscapes at five historic sites including: the Robert Mills House, Hampton-Preston Mansion, Woodrow Wilson Family Home, Mann-Simons Cottage and the Seibels House.
   
2. Establish a campus-like setting, connecting the five historic sites through a pedestrian linkage system utilizing signage, plantings and distinct pathways.
   
3. Formalize the Robert Mills Garden District with boundaries including Calhoun, Marion, Hampton and Barnwell streets.

For more information contact: Robin Waites, Executive Director, Historic Columbia Foundation at 803.252.7742 ext 24 or rwaites@historiccolumbia.org. For naming opportunities or donations, please contact Sara Salley at 803.252.7742 ext 21 or ssalley@historiccolumbia.org.

Garden Restoration

• The Seibels House and Garden