Historic House Tours

The Hampton-Preston Mansion
This restored urban estate chronicles the early years of our new nation through the Civil War as experienced by two of Columbia’s planter-class families. Set with family furnishings and artifacts, the mansion depicts the years 1818-1868.

The Mann-Simons Cottage
Celia Mann, an enslaved Charlestonian midwife, purchased her freedom, walked to Columbia and acquired this circa-1850 cottage before the Civil War. Her descendants occupied the home for more than one hundred years until it was restored as a house museum in the 1970’s.

The Robert Mills House and Gardens
Robert Mills, South Carolina’s most famous architect, designed this mansion, as well as the Washington Monument and other federal structures in Washington D.C. Built in 1823, this National Historic Landmark serves as a decorative arts and local history museum.

The Woodrow Wilson Family Home
(This site is currently closed due to restoration.)
Home to our nation’s 28th president, Woodrow Wilson, this Tuscan villa-style Victorian structure reflects the years 1872-1876 and contains several family furnishings.