background image
"I am a statement."
This Black History Month, we are celebrating the life of Modjeska Monteith Simkins, who, over the course of her 92 years, displayed a courage and perseverance that many argue was unmatched. Image from The State Newspaper Photograph Archive courtesy of Richland Library.
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 TodayTours
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
Monday, February 18th
11:30 a.m. — 4 p.m.
President's Day Tours | Woodrow Wilson Family Home
1705 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Normally closed to the public on Mondays, there is no better way to mark President’s Day than by taking a tour of the only Presidential site in South Carolina. Join Historic Columbia on Monday, Feb. 18 for tours of the Woodrow Wilson Family Home: A Museum of Reconstruction to see how his time in Columbia may have influenced his decisions as President.
Tuesday, February 26th
12 — 1 p.m.
Research Roundtable | Modjeska Simkins
1601 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join us for our monthly Research Roundtable programs to learn more about Historic Columbia’s research initiatives. This month's program will highlight Modjeska Monteith Simkins, a key South Carolinian Civil Rights activist who displayed courage and perseverance over her 92 years.
Thursday, February 28th
6 — 7:30 p.m.
Behind-the-Scenes Tour | Keenan Building
1310 Lady Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Learn more about the origins of the historic Keenan building, its evolution as housing for various organizations and businesses, and how its transformation into an apartment complex at our next behind-the-scenes tour! Tickets are currently on sale for members only. Non-members will be able to register starting February 18.
Friday, March 1st
10 — 11:30 a.m.
Homeschool Friday | Parks in South Carolina
1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
The first National Park in the United States, Yellowstone, was created on March 1, 1872. Join us to learn about the different types of parks in Columbia and across the state and the roles they have played in communities.
Saturday, March 9th
9 a.m. — 3 p.m.
1640 Freed Drive, 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.
Sunday, March 10th
2 — 3:30 p.m.
Second Sunday Stroll | Melrose Heights
1500 Fairview Drive, Columbia, SC 29205
Explore Melrose Heights with Historic Columbia on Sunday, March 10 during our Weekend Strolls and Rolls program presented by Seed Architecture. The guided walking tour will travel through the historic neighborhood, which was recently listed as an historic site on the National Historic Register of Historic Places.
Sunday, March 17th
1 — 4 p.m.
Dollar Sunday | Woodrow Wilson Family Home
1705 Hampton Street, 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 Woodrow Wilson Family Home, the nation's only museum dedicated to interpreting the post-Civil War Reconstruction period and South Carolina's only remaining presidential site.
Thursday, March 21st
7 — 10 p.m.
1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join us on March 21, 2019 for Palladium's 15th annual Bluegrass, Bidding & BBQ silent auction presented by Jaguar Land Rover Columbia. Guests will enjoy live music, local BBQ, specialty drinks and a variety of exciting auction items on the grounds of the Robert Mills House & Gardens. All proceeds will benefit the educational programs and initiatives of Historic Columbia.
Friday, March 22nd — Sunday, March 24th
9 a.m.—3 p.m.
Main Street & Vista Walking Tours
Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Get to know South Carolina’s capital city during the NCAA March Madness weekend and take a guided walking tour of Columbia’s Main Street and Vista! Main Street tours begin at 9 a.m. at the State House; Vista tours begin at 11 a.m. at the Columbia Visitor's Center.
Saturday, March 23rd
10 — 11:30 a.m.
Family Gardening Workshop | Bulbs
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join HC's horticulturists as they lead a family gardening workshop! Attendees will get to plant naturalistic sweeps of several types of summer flowering heirloom bulbs, such as Gladiolus, Iris, and Lycoris, throughout the newest two acre addition to the gardens at the Hampton-Preston Mansion. Afterward, parents and kids will head over to the Robert Mills House to take part in a planting story time, learning about the wonder of plants and how they grow.
Tuesday, March 26th
12 — 1 p.m.
1601 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join us for our monthly Research Roundtable programs to learn more about Historic Columbia’s research initiatives.
Sunday, March 31st
6 — 8 p.m.
1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join us as we introduce the City of Women and celebrate the strong, courageous, and driven women who have made our city better. Attendees will enjoy tasty treats from Spotted Salamander, a signature cocktail created by Bourbon's Kat Hunter, and live entertainment.
Friday, April 5th
10 — 11:30 a.m.
Homeschool Friday | Great Depression in Columbia
1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps as part of the New Deal on April 5, 1933. The Great Depression and the New Deal changed much about life in Columbia and South Carolina, including creating sixteen state parks. Join us to learn about how the Great Depression altered the state.
Thursday, April 11th
7:30 — 9:30 p.m.
Moonlight Cemetery & Secrets from the Grave Tours
501 Elmwood Avenue, Columbia, SC 29201
One hundred and sixty years of history will come to life during our popular Cemetery Tours! Grab your flashlight as we tour one of Columbia's oldest cemeteries and acres of carefully planned grounds.
Saturday, April 13th
2 — 3:30 p.m.
Saturday Stroll | Jewish Merchants of Main Street
1620 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Explore important local Jewish sites on Main Street with Historic Columbia on Saturday, April 13 during our Weekend Strolls and Rolls program presented by Seed Architecture. This guided walking tour will highlight Columbia’s Jewish heritage and explore how Jewish merchants have shaped this downtown district.
Preservation Spotlight
Framing History
A perennial topic in the conversation about historic preservation in our city revolves around windows. Here at Historic Columbia, we strongly agree with the vast majority of preservation professionals and energy experts that historic windows should be saved. Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing examples of the most impressive historic windows in Columbia, stories of successful window repair in our historic neighborhoods and some helpful tricks for the DIYers out there. We hope you'll join us on this exploration of historic windows!
Read
Latest News from HC
Ashley & Corey at Robert Mills
Corey and Ashley traveled all the way from The Empire State to become man and wife at the alluring Robert Mills House and Gardens on the evening of October 6, 2018. Surrounded by friends and family, the stunning bride got ready for her big day in the Robert Mills West...
