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Help preserve our shared history.
Adopt-an-Artifact
Historic Columbia stewards more than 4,000 objects—paintings, textiles, furniture, and photographs—that bring our city’s history to life. After 60+ years of collecting, nearly a quarter of Historic Columbia’s object collection requires conservation. Support our conservation efforts to ensure these irreplaceable pieces need to endure for generations.
Today at Historic Columbia
Start your experience at the Welcome Center (1616 Blanding Street)
House Tour
Journey to Freedom Tour: Mann-Simons Site and Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
3 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Gardens at Hampton-Preston Mansion
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Gardens at Robert Mills
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Garden at Woodrow Wilson Family Home
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 Events14 Dec
Sunday, December 14th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Explore Main Street with Historic Columbia.
21 Dec
Sunday, December 21st: 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, with support from Councilman Jason Branham! This month’s featured property is the Mann-Simons Site.
18 Jan
Sunday, January 18th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sunday | Robert Mills House
1616 Blanding 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, visit the Robert Mills House.
25 Jan
Sunday, January 25th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
800 Abelia Road, Columbia, SC 29205
Explore Heathwood with Historic Columbia.
05 Feb
Thursday, February 5th: 5:30 — 7:30 p.m.
Palladium's Pints for Preservation
430 Center Street, West Columbia, SC 29169
Join Palladium for Pints for Preservation, the happy hour series that pairs great beer with great stories—all inside some of the most unique historic spaces in Columbia. Grab a local craft brew, unwind with friends old and new, and learn a bit about the history that makes our city unique...
07 Feb
Saturday, February 7th: 10:30 — 11:30 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. This tour is an opportunity to learn about a wide variety of trees ranging from South Carolina natives to exotic species rarely seen in cultivation...
12 Feb
Thursday, February 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...
15 Feb
Sunday, February 15th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sunday | Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
2025 Marion 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, with support from Councilman Jason Branham! This month’s featured property is the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House.
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.
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...
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.
14 May
Thursday, May 14th: 4:30 — 6:30 p.m.
50 Forward: 2026 Preservation Awards
2046 Talley Street, Columbia, SC 29201
On Thursday, May 14, 2026, join Historic Columbia in celebrating 50 years of honoring preservation excellence in the capital city.
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