Scout Tours
Scout Troops can earn Historic Columbia Foundation's Time Travelers Patch through several specialty tours and programs throughout the year. These events allow troop participants to understand Columbia's history through hands-on learning experiences.
Hampton-Preston Mansion: Take a behind the scenes tour of collection storage at the Hampton-Preston Mansion. View objects that are at rest and not currently on display. Learn about museum standards for storage pieces such as textiles, ceramics, metals, wood and paper. Decode an electronically-based collection record and learn the five steps of interpreting material culture by examining collections pieces or bring your own favorite object from home!
Starts at the State House: Explore the architecture and history of downtown Columbia on a guided tour of Main Street. Then, learn about the first federal architect, Robert Mills, and the house he designed for Ainsley Hall. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn how historians discover a site's history through architecture, documents, archaeology, material culture, maps, and photographs. This program emphasizes the importance of architecture and historic preservation in our shared heritage. Troops must provide their own transportation from Main Street to the Robert Mills House.
Robert Mills House and Gardens: Girls will visit the Federal style Robert Mills House, which was built between 1823 and 1825. They will have the opportunity to learn about clothing in the 19th-century from a costumed guide. The Robert Mills formal and 19th-century herb gardens will be highlighted, with each participant making an herbal sachet to take home. They will also have the opportunity to play lawn games form the past!
Elmwood Cemetery: This program will explore the history of Columbia through Elmwood Cemetery. Participants will have a tour of the cemetery led by a costumed guide to learn what cemeteries can tell us about the past. They will also have the opportunity for hands-on activities, such as grave rubbings and nineteenth century games. The program ends at the Robert Mills House and Gardens to view a scarecrow display and have a snack.
Robert Mills House and Gardens: Take a carriage ride through the neighborhood, tour three historic houses, and learn how families in Columbia celebrated the holidays throughout the 19th century. A Victorian Santa Claus will visit with the children and listen to their holiday gift requests. Participants can also make a holiday craft and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies.