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Hampton-Preston Turns 200
With new exhibits and beautifully restored gardens, this historic landmark is one that everyone can enjoy. The Hampton-Preston Mansion is now open—join us for a tour!
Mark your calendars!
“At its most basic, preservation is about protecting places that matter to each of us. We want our children to know these places. We want them to stand as beacons for us and for those who come after us—to tell our stories, and the stories of our communities and our lives.” - Stephanie K. Meeks
Why Join?
If you look around, you’ll see Historic Columbia’s advocacy work everywhere from the Bull Street development to the new Palmetto Compress building…and we’ve got big plans to save even more historic properties from demolition, but we need the help of people like you to make it happen.
Join TodayWhy Join?
Your membership helps us create entertaining historical programming that brings people from diverse age groups and backgrounds together. Our educational programs help explain the connections between our past and present, using history as a prism for a deeper understanding.
Join TodayWhy Join?
As a member, you’ll get discounted admission and early access to our most popular events. Joining Historic Columbia is a great way to “plug in” to the city’s professional network and get involved in your community.
Join TodayJoin Historic Columbia
Your Membership Matters
When you join Historic Columbia, you become our partner in preserving and promoting local history. United as a group, we are powerful in advocating for the preservation of historic buildings and places that shape our community.
Become a MemberTours
Connect with History
We offer historic house tours six days a week, garden tours for groups, off-site walking and bus tours and self-guided neighborhood web-based tours.
Take a TourRentals
Historically Ever After
Let your special day be one for the history books at any of our beautiful rental properties.
Rent a VenueUpcoming Events
Sunday, July 15th
1:00pm to 4:00pm
Dollar Sunday | Mann-Simons Site
1403 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Residents of Richland and Lexington Counties are invited to take a guided tour of Mann-Simons Site for only $1 on Sunday, July 15 during Dollar Sunday. Visit the Mann-Simons Site, home to the same African-American family for nearly 130 years.
Monday, July 16th
10:00am to 11:00am
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia and Richland County Public Library for a special outdoor Storytime in the Gardens! Enjoy stories and songs in the gazebo at the Hampton-Preston Mansion’s Henry Michael Powell Memorial Children’s Garden.
Tuesday, July 24th
12:00pm to 1:00pm
Research Roundtable: Tracing 200 Years at Hampton-Preston
1601 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201
In May, Historic Columbia commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Hampton-Preston Site with enhanced interpretation, additional period rooms and vignettes and new gardens. Behind each improvement is a story involving building evidence, historic records and additions to the museum collection. Join director of cultural resources John Sherrer as he spotlights the process behind the product during this month’s research roundtable!
Member Spotlight
Isabelle Mandell
Columbia is my place. I grew up here, I’ve raised two children here, I’ve lived in my Old Shandon neighborhood for nearly 17 years. I love my city. If you value this city and the stories of this city, then you should join me in being a member of Historic Columbia.
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Latest News from HC
Historic Columbia to Offer Sneak Peek of the Next Main Street Hot Spot
On August 7, Historic Columbia will host the first Behind-the-Scenes Tour of 1649 Main Street—a place with a rich history known to most as Hennessy’s. The first known visual record of the building is an 1872 illustration by C. Drie, drawn when Main Street was called Richardson Street. Drie depicts...
