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Our History Is Alive
Experience 150 years of local history right down the road at Historic Columbia’s public gardens. Our 14 acres of landscapes in the heart of Robert Mills Historic District feature heirloom plantings popular with gardeners over the past two centuries.
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
Thursday, April 25th
6 — 7:30 p.m.
Renovation Rodeo | Park Street
Park Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Presented by The Moore Company, the Renovation Rodeo series takes guests on tours of old homes and buildings in the Columbia area that have been refurbished and renovated while staying true to the roots and history of the house.
Saturday, April 27th
10 — 11:30 a.m.
Garden Workshop | Summer Vegetables
1705 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join HC’s horticulture staff planting the Woodrow Wilson Family Home vegetable garden and share how to start seeds at home. Participants will join in other fun gardening related activities and take home some seeds of their own!
Saturday, April 27th
12 — 5 p.m.
2019 Crab Crack Scholarship Fundraiser
1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
The Columbia Sigmas cordially invites one and all to our 15th Annual Crab Crack/Scholarship Fundraiser. With your support, we have been able to provide scholarships to over 38 deserving young men entering college and we hope you will continue to support us as we support our community.
Saturday, April 27th
6:30 — 8 p.m.
Columbia Food and Wine Festival | Heirloom Breeds + Seeds
1601 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201
The Columbia Food and Wine Festival's series of satellite events culminates on Saturday, April 27 at their Heirloom Breeds + Seeds Dinner, which will be held at Seibels House. Two of Columbia’s most revered restaurants—Motor Supply Company Bistro and Spotted Salamander Café & Catering—will team up on a thoughtfully curated four-course meal, highlighting heirloom and sustainable ingredients.
Monday, April 29th
10 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.
1601 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Looking for a way to meet new people, visit historic sites and discover the culture and lifestyles of South Carolina's capital city and Richland County? Then volunteer with Historic Columbia!
Monday, April 29th
7 — 11 p.m.
Feed the City | Kugels & Collards at Historic City Market
705 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join us for dinner to explore the relationship of Jewish and Southern Cooking traditions and the stories of their intersection, the same topic covered on Kugels & Collards.
Wednesday, May 1st
11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m.
2030 Gregg Street, Columbia, SC 29201
During National Preservation Month, Historic Columbia will celebrate the accomplishments of local architectural, construction and rehabilitation projects at our annual Preservation Awards Luncheon.
Thursday, May 2nd
3:30 — 4:30 p.m.
1616 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 at the Gardens of the Robert Mills House. In addition, participate in old fashioned historic games in gardens. This event is free and open to children of all ages.
Friday, May 3rd
10 — 11:30 a.m.
Homeschool Friday | Myths in History
1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
On May 3, 1937, Margaret Mitchell’s novel Gone with the Wind won the Pulitzer Prize. The novel, and the movie based on it, helped to spread myths about the old South. Join us to learn about some of the most popular myths in history and how historians bust them.
Friday, May 3rd
11 a.m. — 2 p.m.
1705 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Cousins Maine Lobster will be stationed outside the Robert Mills House on Friday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tables and chairs will be set up throughout the grounds, making this the perfect opportunity to spend your lunch break enjoying the scenic views of our historic gardens!
Sunday, May 5th
11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m.
1705 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Families are invited to experience the fun, games, and tasty food of a Victorian Tea Party at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home. The highlight of the day will be a Victorian tea where families will learn table manners and etiquette while enjoying a scone and tea!
Tuesday, May 7th
12:01 a.m. — 11:59 p.m.
1616 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201
We are excited to participate in Midlands Gives again this year on Tuesday, May 7 for a 24-hour online giving day. Last year, thanks to your support, we received 225 donations totaling $21,763! We love what this says about the breadth and depth of our support, and we hope we can count on you again this year to support our mission of preserving and promoting Columbia and Richland County’s history.
Thursday, May 9th
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.
Sunday, May 12th
2 — 3:30 p.m.
Second Sunday Stroll | Lower Waverly
2300 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29205
Explore Lower Waverly with Historic Columbia on Sunday, May 12 during our Weekend Strolls and Rolls program. Featuring a blend of architectural styles and benefiting from amenities such as a city park and proximity to Five Points, Lower Waverly is a community whose citizens are committed to ensuring their future through an appreciation of their past.
Saturday, May 18th — Sunday, May 19th
9 a.m.—4 p.m.
1031 Main Street, Eastover, SC 29044
International Paper and Historic Columbia will lead special public tours of Kensington Mansion on May 18 & 19! Tours will focus on the restoration and rehabilitation of Kensington Mansion, the site’s unique architectural features and information about the families who lived and worked at the site.
Gift Shop at Robert Mills
Plant Sale
You can now find the beautiful plants you love from our properties for sale at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills! Click the button below to see a full list of plants available for purchase.
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Latest News from HC
Columbia City of Women: Putting Women on the Map
Historic Columbia and WREN (Women’s Rights & Empowerment Network) launched the Columbia City of Women initiative on Sunday, March 31—the last day of Women’s History Month. The event, held at the Columbia Museum of Art, included the announcement of 12 influential women honorees that will be celebrated in the next year. This project began locally...
