Homepage
Explore local history on a
Group Tour
Step into Columbia’s past with expert-led group tours. Enjoy guided house museum explorations, walking tours through historic neighborhoods, or bus tours highlighting landmark sites. Each experience brings to life the people, culture, and architecture that shaped the capital’s rich history. Customize your group’s adventure today.
Today at Historic Columbia
Start your experience at the Welcome Center (1616 Blanding Street)
House Tour
Robert Mills House
1:30 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Gardens at Hampton-Preston Mansion
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Gardens at Robert Mills House
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Garden at Woodrow Wilson Family Home
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Preserving Our Stories
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 Events15 Mar
Sunday, March 15th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sunday | Hampton-Preston Mansion
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
The 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 thanks to Richland County, with support from Councilman Jason Branham! This month, visit the Hampton-Preston Mansion.
16 Mar
Monday, March 16th: 12 — 2 p.m.
Drop-In Tech Support: Tickets & Membership
1601 Richland St, Columbia, SC 29201
Please join Historic Columbia staff for one of two drop-in tech support sessions to access our new online ticketing and membership platform: Monday, March 16 | 12:00–2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 | 5:00–7:00 p.m. Let our staff assist you with common concerns like: Creating your account Saving a credit card...
18 Mar
Wednesday, March 18th: 5 — 7 p.m.
Drop-In Tech Support: Tickets & Membership
1601 Richland St, Columbia, SC 29201
Please join Historic Columbia staff for one of two drop-in tech support sessions to access our new online ticketing and membership platform: Monday, March 16 | 12:00–2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 | 5:00–7:00 p.m. Let our staff assist you with common concerns like: Creating your account Saving a credit card...
22 Mar
Sunday, March 22nd: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Explore Main Street with Historic Columbia.
31 Mar
Tuesday, March 31st: 5 — 7 p.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Update March 9: Pre-sale tickets are sold out! In the event of favorable weather, additional tickets will go on sale the week of the event and be available for purchase at the gate. Email us to join the waitlist for tickets! Performers from the South Carolina Philharmonic will join Historic...
09 Apr
Thursday, April 9th: 8 — 9 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Grab your binoculars to join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda for a free, guided bird walk around the Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia.
09 Apr
Thursday, April 9th: 4 — 6 p.m.
Members-Only Early Access: Spring Plant Sale
1615 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201
Join us in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion for the 2026 Spring Plant Sale! A wide array of plants including heirloom flowers, shrubs, vegetables, and perennials, all grown in Historic Columbia’s gardens, will be available to our members before the public sale. With many rare or hard-to-find varieties...
10 Apr
Friday, April 10th: 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.
1615 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201
Join us in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion for the 2026 Spring Plant Sale! At one of two plant sales Historic Columbia holds every year, attendees will be able to purchase and learn about a wide array of plants including heirloom flowers, shrubs, vegetables, and perennials, all grown...
11 Apr
Saturday, April 11th: 8 a.m. — 4 p.m.
1615 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201
Join us in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion for the 2026 Spring Plant Sale! At one of two plant sales Historic Columbia holds every year, attendees will be able to purchase and learn about a wide array of plants including heirloom flowers, shrubs, vegetables, and perennials, all grown...
19 Apr
Sunday, April 19th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sunday | Mann-Simons Site
1403 Richland St., Columbia, SC 29201
The 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! This month’s featured property is the Mann-Simons Site.
26 Apr
Sunday, April 26th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
2204 Park Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia for a stroll through the Elmwood Park neighborhood.
30 Apr
Thursday, April 30th: 8 — 9 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Grab your binoculars to join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda for a free, guided bird walk around the Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia.
02 May
Saturday, May 2nd: 10 — 11 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join Chris Mathis, Horticulture Manager at Historic Columbia, on a guided tour of the diverse tree collection in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion and the Robert Mills House. This tour is an opportunity to learn about a wide variety of trees ranging from South Carolina natives to exotic...
03 May
Sunday, May 3rd: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
Hollywood-Rose Hill Walking Tour
216 South Gregg Street, Columbia, SC 29205
Join Historic Columbia for a stroll through the Hollywood-Rose Hill neighborhood.
05 May
Tuesday, May 5th: 5 — 7 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. May's concert will feature a brass quintet and percussion. Please plan to arrive any time after 5:00 p.m. The concert will begin at 6:00 p.m...
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