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Historic Columbia

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Homepage

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History's home.

Step Inside.

This summer, receive two free Historic Columbia postcards for every adult house tour ticket purchased online—that’s one to keep for your collection and one to send to a friend. For just $1, we'll even put it in the mail for you!

Plan Your Visit

Today at Historic Columbia

Start your experience at the Welcome Center (1616 Blanding Street)

House Tour

The Museum of the Reconstruction Era

1:30 p.m.

House Tour

Hampton-Preston Mansion

10:30 a.m., 3 p.m

House Tour

Robert Mills House

12 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.

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.

Preserving Our Stories

Preservation Economic Impact Study Report Released

The first of its kind for the Midlands, this report details the collective impact historic preservation has on Columbia's economy in four main areas: Jobs, Investment, Tourism Revenues, and Property Value Growth.

Learn More

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.

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Explore HC's Collection

Historic Columbia is continually striving to make our 4,000+ object collection digitally available to the public for education and research purposes. New objects and edits to current entries will be published routinely.

Learn More

Tours

Connect with History

Our historic house museums give you the chance to explore Columbia's history from antebellum to Civil Rights.

Take a Tour

Upcoming Events

See All Events

23 Aug

Bird's eye image of an industrial area filled with brick warehouses.

Sunday, August 23rd: 6 — 7:30 p.m.

Congaree Vista Walking Tour

1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Explore the Congaree Vista with Historic Columbia.

Learn More

10 Sep

Thursday, September 10th: 8 — 9 a.m.

Birdwatching in the Gardens

1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Discover the birds that call Historic Columbia's gardens home! Join local birder John Tjaarda and Historic Columbia Assistant Horticulturalist Jake Armstrong for a guided bird walk through the Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion.

Learn More

19 Sep

festival crowd

Saturday, September 19th: 11 a.m. — 6 p.m.

Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture

1403 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Learn More

20 Sep

Hampton-Preston Mansion

Sunday, September 20th: 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! This month, visit the Hampton-Preston Mansion.

Learn More

24 Sep

Thursday, September 24th: 8 — 9 a.m.

Birdwatching in the Gardens

1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Discover the birds that call Historic Columbia's gardens home! Join local birder John Tjaarda and Historic Columbia Assistant Horticulturalist Jake Armstrong for a guided bird walk through the Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion.

Learn More

27 Sep

Main St

Sunday, September 27th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.

Main Street Walking Tour

1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Explore Main Street with Historic Columbia.

Learn More

29 Sep

A group of people sitting in chairs or on blankets on a lawn listening to musicians perform. There are trees and a large historic house in the background.

Tuesday, September 29th: 5 — 7 p.m.

Concert in the Gardens

1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Performers from the South Carolina Philharmonic will join Historic Columbia for an enchanting outdoor concert in the gardens at the Hampton-Preston Mansion. This program will showcase Oktoberfest-inspired musical selections, highlighting the spirited melodies and musical traditions of Germany and Central Europe. Please plan to arrive any time after 5:00 p.m...

Learn More

08 Oct

Thursday, October 8th: 8 — 9 a.m.

Birdwatching in the Gardens

1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Discover the birds that call Historic Columbia's gardens home! Join local birder John Tjaarda and Historic Columbia Assistant Horticulturalist Jake Armstrong for a guided bird walk through the Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion.

Learn More

09 Oct

Friday, October 9th: 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.

Fall Plant Sale

1615 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201

Join us in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion for the 2026 Fall 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...

Learn More

10 Oct

Saturday, October 10th: 8 — 9 a.m.

Family Birdwatching in the Gardens

1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Bring the whole family for a special birdwatching adventure during Historic Columbia's Fall Plant Sale! Join local birder John Tjaarda and Historic Columbia Assistant Horticulturalist Jake Armstrong for a fun, guided exploration of the Hampton-Preston Gardens as you discover the resident and migratory birds that call Columbia home. Participants will...

Learn More

10 Oct

Saturday, October 10th: 8 a.m. — 4 p.m.

Fall Plant Sale

1615 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201

Join us in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion for the 2026 Fall 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...

Learn More

18 Oct

Sunday, October 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! This month, visit the Robert Mills House.

Learn More

18 Oct

Sunday, October 18th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.

Elmwood Park Walking Tour

2204 Park Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Join Historic Columbia for a stroll through the Elmwood Park neighborhood.

Learn More

22 Oct

Thursday, October 22nd: 8 — 9 a.m.

Birdwatching in the Gardens

1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Discover the birds that call Historic Columbia's gardens home! Join local birder John Tjaarda and Historic Columbia Assistant Horticulturalist Jake Armstrong for a guided bird walk through the Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion.

Learn More

26 Oct

Monday, October 26th: 5:30 — 7 p.m.

Trunk or Treat

1616 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201

Put on your costume and join Historic Columbia for a safe, fun, and FREE Halloween experience on Monday, October 26 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Community members and local organizations throughout the city of Columbia will meet in the parking lot of Robert Mills House to pass out candy to local Columbia youth!

Learn More

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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.

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Why 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.

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Why 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
NTHP Preservation Award Winner
Historic Columbia

© 2026 Historic Columbia

Administrative Offices
1601 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Tours
All historic house and garden tours start at the Welcome Center at Robert Mills.
1616 Blanding Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Questions? Call (803) 252-7742.

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