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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)
Public Garden Hours
Gardens at Hampton-Preston Mansion
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Gardens at Robert Mills House
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Garden at Woodrow Wilson Family Home
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Gardens at Seibels House
10 a.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 Events21 Feb
Saturday, February 21st: 11 a.m. — 4 p.m.
Mid-Carolina Camellia Society's Camellia Love Exhibition and Sale
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
In partnership with Historic Columbia, the Mid-Carolina Camellia Society is proud to present their 2026 Camellia Love Exhibition and Sale, hosted in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion. Join us for a day of workshops, demos, door prizes, and a special plant sale, featuring 20 hard-to-find varieties of camellias...
22 Feb
Sunday, February 22nd: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
BullStreet District Walking Tour
2100 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Explore the BullStreet District with Historic Columbia.
08 Mar
Sunday, March 8th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
800 Abelia Road, Columbia, SC 29205
Explore Heathwood with Historic Columbia.
12 Mar
Thursday, March 12th: 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 Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...
12 Mar
Thursday, March 12th: 6 — 7:30 p.m.
TBA, Columbia, SC 29201
Enjoy the unique chance to tour the stunning renovation of a 1940's former church into a charming single-family home in the heart of Cottontown!
15 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.
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
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 5:00 p.m. The concert will begin at 6:00 p.m. and last an hour. Bring your own blanket or...
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 Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...
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 thanks to Richland County! 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 Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...
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