Historic Sites
Our historic houses and gardens showcase Columbia's evolution from its founding in 1786 through its growth into a modern southern capital city.
Robert Mills House and Gardens
One of only five National Historic Landmarks in Columbia, the Robert Mills House showcases the skill of the architect who designed some of our nation's most prominent buildings, including the Washington Monument.
Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens
One of Columbia’s oldest remaining structures, the Hampton-Preston Mansion explores the lives of enslaved workers and their planter-class owners.
Woodrow Wilson Family Home
During the height of Reconstruction, Woodrow Wilson’s parents built this house, the only one they would ever own. Although the home has changed hands many times since the teenaged future president lived here, it stands as a reminder of how our city struggled to rebuild itself in the post-war era.
Mann-Simons Site
While only one house stands today, the Mann-Simons Site historically was a collection of commercial and domestic spaces owned and operated by the same African American family from at least 1843 until 1970.
Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
Built between 1890 and 1895, this one-story cottage was home to Modjeska Monteith Simkins, considered one of the greatest human rights advocates in South Carolina's history, from 1932 until her death on April 5, 1992.
Seibels House & Garden
Dating to 1796, and often mentioned in 19th- and 20th-century travelogues for its architecture and beautiful gardens, the Seibels House is believed to be the oldest remaining house in Columbia. Today, the historic structure hosts Historic Columbia’s administrative office and functions as a popular venue for private events and weddings.