Grounds of the Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens
1615 Blanding Street Columbia, SC 29201
Using historic documentation as a guide, Historic Columbia Foundation seeks to revitalize the 4-acre property in the spirit and design of Mary Cantey Hampton’s and Caroline Hampton Preston’s antebellum gardens. Plans for a 3-phase, multi-year implementation begin with the revitalization of the southern portion of the property, with ground broken in January 2012. Included in this first phase will be the garden infrastructure, as well as new plantings selected from plants known to have been grown on the property during the 1830s through 1860s. New gardens created within the antebellum-period pathway and bed framework of Mrs. Hampton’s and Mrs. Preston’s garden during the first phase of the garden revitalization project will include:
~ A Fountain Garden designed in the romantic style will feature a working replica of the Hiram Powers fountain and restored fountain basin, two wooden arches, and clipped boxwood parterres displaying a naturalistic collection of antebellum period ornamental shrubs, vines, and trees.
~ A Welcome Garden will serve as an inviting space through which guests to the mansion and gardens will enter the property, will be located immediately in front of and surrounding the mansion. This formal garden will feature plantings of clipped boxwood hedges and heirloom roses designed in the English style. Additionally, this garden will display a shady canopy of magnolias and other flowering trees, shrubs and perennials, chosen particularly for their fragrance.
~ A Children’s Garden will be a walled garden designed to a child’s scale. This garden will surround a new antebellum-style gazebo and memorial space and will appeal to a child’s sense of exploration and discovery, including spaces to encourage active, creative and imaginative play.
Ways to Get Involved:
~ Consider making a donation to the project here. For donation amounts of or above $1,250, please contact Wendi Spratt, Director of Development at wspratt@historiccolumbia.org or 803.252.7742 ext. 12 for more information about special gift recognition opportunities in the gardens or refer to the Gift Recognition Opportunities overview here. Please note that it is best to contact us directly for the most up-to-date recognition opportunities available. .
~ Become a garden volunteer. Contact Dave Simpson, Director of Grounds at 803.252.1770 ext. 35 or dsimpson@historiccolumbia.org for information upcoming garden volunteer days.
~ Help spread the word about the Hampton-Preston Garden Rehabilitation and other gardens at Historic Columbia Foundation. Share the project with your friends, family and employer.
~ Visit our gardens! Seibels House Garden is open to the public (and free to enjoy) during HCF business hours (Mon-Friday 9 am – 5 pm). Come enjoy a picnic lunch or leisurely stroll. The Foundation also offers monthly tours of the Robert Mills Founders Garden on the third Thursday of each month at 11 am ($6 per person).
