Schedule a Tour

Scheduling your school trip to Historic Columbia is easy. Review the tour information and choose one. Then call Historic Columbia and register. You may also download and print a registration form and mail/fax it to Historic Columbia.

School Tour Rates

• $2.50 per student
• One chaperone is free for every 10 students ($2.50 per extra adult)

Homeschool Tour Rates

• $2.50 per student (6 –17 years old)
• $3.50 per adult

To receive these rates teachers must schedule school visits at least two weeks in advance.

Additional Information

• Each house museum tour takes about an hour. Length of specialty tours can vary. If you wish to visit the Museum Shop, please plan for an additional half hour. Please contact the visitor coordinator (aposner@historiccolumbia.org) to discuss any time constraints.
• One chaperone (18 years or older) per 10 students is required for admission. One chaperone per five students is recommended for grades K – 2.
• After registration is completed, teachers will receive written confirmation for your tour. Please bring this written confirmation with you to ensure the group rate.
• Historic Columbia does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. Reserved parking is available near the Museum Shop. Please note only the first floor of the Woodrow Wilson Family Home (this site is currently closed due to restoration) and basement of the Mann-Simons Cottage are wheelchair accessible. The other historic homes have outside steps and interior staircases.

Lesson Plans/Additional Materials
Upon registration, at the request of the teacher, Historic Columbia will mail CD-ROM with pre-visit and post-visit lesson plans and materials. For additional material such as brochures, please contact the Visitor and Volunteer Services Coordinator. Please utilize these materials to help enhance your students’ visit to Historic Columbia.

Parking
Parking is free and located next to the Museum Shop. Parking for school and chartered buses is located on the 1600 Block of Blanding Street.

Delays and Canellations
If you are delayed on your schedule tour day, please notify Historic Columbia immediately at 803.252.1770. If you need to cancel your tour, please provide prompt notification. In the event of weather related school closing, cancellations are automatic and fully refundable.

Weather
Tours are held rain or shine.

Dress
While significant portions of the tours are held inside, they may also require walking from site to site. Students should dress appropriately and wear comfortable walking shoes. Wearing high shoes should be avoided.

Student Nametags
Historic Columbia asks that all students have on a nametag prior to visit.

Lunch
Students may eat lunch in the Carriage House next to the Museum Shop. Weather permitting, students may also eat lunch on the grounds of the historic homes. Public restrooms are available.

General Rules

• Backpacks are not allowed inside house museums
• Pens and pencils are not allowed inside house museums
• No food, drink or gum allowed inside house museums
• Chaperones must remain with students at all times
• Cameras and video cameras are not permitted inside house museums
• Fifteen students are allowed in the Museum Shop at a time

For more information or to schedule a tour please contact:
Ann Posner
Coordinator of Visitor and Volunteer Services
803.252.1770 ext. 24
aposner@historiccolumbia.org