Skip to main content

Historic Columbia is closed on Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.

Menu Close Menu

Historic Columbia

Donate
  • FAQs
Upcoming Events

Navigation

  • Tours
    • House Tours
      • Robert Mills House and Gardens
      • Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens
      • Mann-Simons Site
      • The Museum of the Reconstruction Era
      • Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
      • Hours and Pricing
    • Garden Tours
      • Garden Database
    • Offsite Tours
      • Walking Tours
    • African American History Tours
    • Online Tours
  • Education
    • Field Trips
      • House Tours
    • Traveling Trunks
  • Support
    • Corporate Support
      • Additional Support Opportunities
      • Corporate Membership
      • Program & Event Sponsorship Options
    • Donate
    • Membership
      • Palladium
    • Volunteer
    • Partners and Donors
  • Rent a Venue
    • Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion
    • Seibels House and Garden
    • Robert Mills Carriage House and Gardens
    • Gardens of the Woodrow Wilson Family Home
    • Weddings
    • Photoshoots
    • Contact Us
  • Research
    • Object Collection
    • Projects and Initiatives
  • Preservation
    • Preservation Awards
    • Preservation Advocacy
    • Resources and Services
    • Economic Impact Study
    • Building Richland County
  • About
    • Blog
    • Board Members
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Gift Shop at Robert Mills
      • Online Store
    • Newsletter
    • Staff Directory

Donate

This event has passed.

Wednesday, October 13th

1 — 2 p.m.

Native plants in the formal landscape: the Transformation of Gardens at the Robert Mills House

Historic Columbia Members - $20 Per Course
Non-Members - $30 Per Course

Register

Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens : 1615 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201

Traditionally, US native plants and formal landscapes simply did not work well together, often forcing gardeners to choose one or the other. A vast amount of selection and breeding of native species in the last decade, however, presents new and exciting opportunities for all types of managed landscapes.

This class, led by Historic Columbia Director of Grounds Keith Mearns, is in cooperation with the Lourie Center. The "Lourie Lectures" continue to provide engaging educational presentations and discourse for adults over 50. Taught by academics and content experts, topics explore the arts and humanities, science, culture and more. 

Keith Mearns is a horticulturist who researches, designs, and installs period-appropriate gardens. He earned a degree in anthropology with a minor in environmental studies from the University of South Carolina. Before joining Historic Columbia, he worked at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden and assisted with digital collections at USC’s herbarium. In 2021 Keith was named the winner of the American Horticultural Society’s 2021 Emerging Horticultural Professional Award.

  • Gardens

    Our gardens are open for visitation! Check here for more details.

  • Questions?

    Contact Us

    Phone: 803.252.1770 x 23
    Email: reservations@historiccolumbia.org

NTHP Preservation Award Winner
Historic Columbia

© 2025 Historic Columbia

Administrative Offices
1601 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201

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

Questions? Call (803) 252-7742.

Newsletter Signup

newsletter signup

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for events, news, and updates from Historic Columbia!

  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Flickr
  • Privacy Policy
Website by Cyberwoven