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Saturday, December 9
Candlelight Tours
Join Historic Columbia for a special holiday evening touring the Hampton-Preston Mansion and Robert Mills House by candlelight. Learn about traditions of the past, hear musicians play selections from the 19th century, shop the Holiday Vendor’s Market, visit the children’s activity area with free, takeaway crafts for your tree and home, and sip holiday beverages during this one-night-only event.
Today at Historic Columbia
Start your experience at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills (1616 Blanding Street)
House Tour
Journey to Freedom Tour: Mann-Simons Site and Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
1:30 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.
Historic
Holiday Events
Visit us through Dec. 30 to enjoy a variety of holiday decorations and traditions in the Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion!
Preserving Our Stories
Research Projects and Initiatives
Historic Columbia is committed to preserving places and sharing complex stories from the past that connect us in the present and inspire our future. Read about our current and recent research projects that highlight Columbia's history.
Kugels & Collards: Stories of Food, Family, and Tradition
What began as a blog in 2017 as a part of the Columbia Jewish Heritage Initiative is now a book.
Building Richland County
Building Richland County (BRC) is an interactive, geographic database of Richland County’s historic places and districts.
Tours
Connect with History
Our four house tours give you the chance to explore Columbia's history from antebellum to Civil Rights.
NEW!
Explore the Collection
Our object collection is now digitally available to the public for education and research purposes.
Upcoming Events
See All Events02 Dec
Wednesday – Saturday at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Experience the holiday season with Historic Columbia on a guided holiday tour of the Robert Mills House and the Hampton-Preston Mansion! Guests are invited to see a variety of holiday decorations and experience traditions in both historic homes between Wednesday, November 15, and Saturday, December 30, 2023. Tour guides will...
09 Dec
Saturday, December 9th: 6 — 9 p.m.
1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Visit the decorated, candlelit halls of the Hampton-Preston Mansion and the Robert Mills House!
17 Dec
Sunday, December 17th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Explore Main Street with Historic Columbia on Sunday, December 17, 2023.
17 Dec
Sunday, December 17th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
2025 Marion St., Columbia, SC 29201
Residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for FREE once a month thanks to Richland County! This month, visit the exhibits at the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House, the home to South Carolina's greatest human rights advocate.
21 Jan
Sunday, January 21st: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for FREE once a month thanks to Richland County, with support from HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month, visit the Hampton-Preston Mansion.
21 Jan
Sunday, January 21st: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Explore The Vista with Historic Columbia on Sunday, January 21, 2024.
18 Feb
Sunday, February 18th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Museum of the Reconstruction Era
1705 Hampton 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 HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month, visit the Museum of the Reconstruction Era.
25 Feb
Sunday, February 25th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
800 Abelia Road, Columbia, SC 29205
Explore Heathwood with Historic Columbia on Sunday, February 25, 2024.
17 Mar
Sunday, March 17th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Robert Mills House
1616 Blanding St, Columbia, SC 29201
Residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for FREE once a month thanks to Richland County, with support from HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month, visit the Robert Mills House & Gardens, one of only five National Historic Landmarks within Columbia, and explore architecture and daily life in the 1820s in Columbia.
16 May
Thursday, May 16th: 5 — 6:30 p.m.
2024 Preservation Awards Ceremony
701 Whaley St., Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia as we celebrate National Historic Preservation month by recognizing exemplary work in preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, and revitalization in Columbia and Richland County.
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