City of Women Honoree
Edna Smith Primus
In 1978, Primus won a key victory for the ACLU, marking the end of a three-year battle to ensure that the organization could continue its legal advocacy.
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Semi-Guided
House Tours
Explore the early 19th through mid-20th centuries as we take you on a journey through our four historic house museums in the heart of the Robert Mills Historic District.
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 Today19th Amendment
Virtual Exhibit
Explore the history - local and national - that led to the ratification of the 19th Amendment in this online version of an exhibit that will be available to view in person when Historic Columbia reopens.
Tours
Connect with History
We offer socially distanced outdoor tours weekly -- whether you want to explore the history of HC's historic sites or its gardens.
Rentals
Historically Ever After
We are currently booking and hosting events in a limited capacity and with additional precautions in place to ensure the safety of our guests and staff. Contact our Rentals Coordinator for more information about hosting an event with Historic Columbia!
Upcoming Events
Monday, June 21st — Friday, June 25th
9 a.m.—4 p.m.
1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Celebrate the return of Historic Columbia’s summer camp with a blast from the past, highlighting previous camp favorites, all in a safe setting practicing CDC recommendations and guidelines.
Wednesday, June 23rd
12 — 1 p.m.
1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Walk through Columbia's first indoor shopping mall and learn how an old department store became an art museum.
Thursday, June 24th
7 — 8 p.m.
1615 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201
Musicians from the South Carolina Philharmonic will join Historic Columbia to present a beautiful concert of light classics in the Gardens at Hampton-Preston. Please plan to arrive any time after 6 p.m. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and last an hour. Bring your own blanket or chairs, and...
Friday, July 2nd
10 — 11 a.m.
1616 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201
Explore the native and exotic with Historic Columbia's Director of Grounds, Keith Mearns, as he offers insight into the varied and beautiful gardens at the Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Site. Each encompassing a full city block, the development of the gardens at these sites is guided by collections policies...
Sunday, July 4th
8 a.m. — 5 p.m.
1601 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Offices and properties will be closed for the holiday. Enjoy the fireworks and stay safe! Join us for a tour on July 6th.
Monday, July 5th — Friday, July 9th
9 a.m.—4 p.m.
1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Celebrate the return of Historic Columbia’s summer camp with a blast from the past, highlighting previous camp favorites, all in a safe setting practicing CDC recommendations and guidelines.
Thursday, July 8th
6 — 8 p.m.
Behind-the-Scenes Tour | Gadsden Place
1209 and 1211 Gadsden Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Columbia’s newest and biggest historic restoration projects!
Thursday, July 15th
10 — 10:45 a.m.
1615 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201
Enjoy stories, songs and activities with Richland Library and Historic Columbia staff at the Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens. This event is free and open to children of all ages. Registration is required for this event. Each registration is for a "family square" which will accommodate up to five people. Please...
Sunday, July 18th
1 — 4 p.m.
Dollar Sunday | The Museum of the Reconstruction Era
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 Museum of the Reconstruction Era, the nation's only museum dedicated to interpreting the post-Civil War Reconstruction period and South Carolina's only remaining presidential site.
Thursday, August 5th — Friday, August 6th
9 a.m.—3 p.m.
1616 Blanding St, Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia for a two-day professional development workshop! Join us on August 5th and 6th from 9am-3pm! Participants uncomfortable attending in-person will have the option to participate virtually*. This year’s teacher workshop will explore the deconstructed skills covered in the 2019 Social Studies Standards, and will explore the progress...
Saturday, September 18th
11 a.m. — 6 p.m.
Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture
1403 Richland St., Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia at Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18. Now in its 43rd year, this free festival brings musicians, artisans, and storytellers together to celebrate South Carolina’s black history and culture.
