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'Tis the Season
Holiday House Tours
Guests are invited to see a variety of holiday decorations and experience traditions through Saturday, Dec. 30.
Today at Historic Columbia
Start your experience at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills (1616 Blanding Street)
Preserving Our Stories
Celebrating Our 60th Year
Three generations ago, on November 14, 1961, a group of impassioned citizens officially formed Historic Columbia Foundation.
LGBTQ+ Columbia History Initiative
The LGBTQ+ Columbia History Initiative documents the often unseen and untold stories of this diverse community through oral histories, archival collections, and historic site interpretation.
Tours
Connect with History
Our four house tours give you the chance to explore Columbia's history from antebellum to Civil Rights.
Upcoming Events
See All Events18 Dec
Sunday, December 18th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Still Hopes | Mann-Simons Site
1403 Richland St., Columbia, SC 29201
Every third Sunday of the month, residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour of one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for free!
08 Jan
Sunday, January 8th: 4 — 5 p.m.
"The Green Book of South Carolina" Book Signing
1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join the WeGOJA Foundation, HubCity Press, and Historic Columbia for a presentation and book signing of The Green Book of South Carolina: A Guide to African American Cultural Sites. Compiled by the WeGOJA Foundation (on behalf of the SC African American Heritage Commission), this is a first-of-its-kind travel guide to...
15 Jan
Sunday, January 15th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Still Hopes | Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
2025 Marion St., Columbia, SC 29201
Every third Sunday of the month, residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour of one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for just $1 on Dollar Sunday! This month, visit the exhibits at the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House, the home to South Carolina's greatest human rights advocate.
19 Jan
Thursday, January 19th: 12 — 1 p.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join Katharine Allen, Director of Research and Interpretation, as she discusses Historic Columbia’s collaboration with Able South Carolina to research and share the stories of individuals before, during, and after they were treated at the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum, known today as Bull Street. Admission is free to Historic Columbia...
04 Feb
Saturday, February 4th: 2 — 4 p.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join authors Chef Kevin Mitchell and Professor David Shields for a lively discussion of their award-winning book, Taste of the State: South Carolina’s Signature Foods, Recipes, and Their Stories. The book presents the cultural histories of local ingredients and showcases specialty dishes found throughout the various regions of the state...
19 Feb
Sunday, February 19th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sunday | The Museum of the Reconstruction Era
1705 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Every third Sunday of the month through our 60th anniversary year, residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour of one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for free! This month, visit The Museum of the Reconstruction Era, the nation's only museum dedicated to interpreting the post-Civil War Reconstruction period and South Carolina's only remaining presidential site.
25 Feb
Saturday, February 25th: 9 a.m. — 3 p.m.
BullStreet District History Tours
2139 Elmwood Avenue, Columbia, SC 29201
Join us as we explore the past, present and future of the former Department of Mental Health campus for an exclusive tour of the BullStreet District. Once a city within a city, Columbia's BullStreet offers an exciting blend of historic landmark buildings and modern amenities.
23 Mar
Thursday, March 23rd: 6 — 8 p.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Performers from the South Carolina Philharmonic will join Historic Columbia to present a beautiful concert of light classics in the gardens at the Hampton-Preston Mansion. Please plan to arrive any time after 6 p.m. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and last an hour. Bring your own blanket or...
27 Apr
Thursday, April 27th: 6 — 8 p.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Performers from the South Carolina Philharmonic will join Historic Columbia to present a beautiful concert of light classics in the gardens at the Hampton-Preston Mansion. Please plan to arrive any time after 6 p.m. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and last an hour. Bring your own blanket or...
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 Today