This event has passed.
Friday, November 19th
12 — 3 p.m.
Holiday House Tours Begin
Gift Shop at Robert Mills : 1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Historic Columbia will kick-off the holiday season on Friday, Nov. 19, when holiday tours of the Robert Mills House and the Hampton-Preston Mansion begin!
Guests are invited to see a variety of holiday decorations and experience traditions in both historic homes between Friday, Nov. 19 and Saturday, Dec. 31. Tour guides will provide stories of holidays past in Columbia and discuss how families decorated and entertained during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
At the Robert Mills House, guests will see how a home of its size might have been decorated in the 1820s during the time before Christmas trees were popular. Across the street at the Hampton-Preston Mansion, Christmas of the 1860s was very different from today in many ways but some of the traditions we carry on today have their roots from this time. Eggnog, poinsettias and Christmas trees were all part of the Victorian era holidays.
Admission includes a guided tour of both the Robert Mills House and the Hampton-Preston Mansion. Tours will be offered Tuesday – Saturday at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. On Friday, Dec. 31, only the 12 p.m. tour will be held.
Visit The Gift Shop at Robert Mills, located at 1616 Blanding Street, to purchase admission and begin your tour. To schedule a group tour, call 803.252.1770 x 23 or email reservations@historiccolumbia.org.
Upcoming Events
See All Events28 May
Thursday, May 28th: 8 — 9 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Grab your binoculars to join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda for a free, guided bird walk around the Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia.
28 May
Thursday, May 28th: 6 — 7:30 p.m.
Renovation Rodeo | Main Street District
TBA, Columbia, SC 29201
Enjoy an opportunity to tour a recently renovated apartment inside a beautifully restored 1901 downtown building, highlighting Classical Revival architecture and Columbia’s rich commercial past.
07 Jun
Sunday, June 7th: 12 — 3:30 p.m.
Palladium Tour | Life on Main Street
1530 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join us in the heart of Columbia as Palladium Tour invites guests to tour an exciting mix private residences, short-term rentals, and dynamic commercial spaces throughout the vibrant 1500 block of Main Street.
11 Jun
Thursday, June 11th: 8 — 9 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Grab your binoculars to join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda for a free, guided bird walk around the Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia.
11 Jun
Thursday, June 11th: 6 — 7:30 p.m.
Columbia Conversations | The South Carolina Backcountry and the Winning of Independence
1616 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia for a talk and book signing by Carl Borick. His new book, Backcountry Resistance: South Carolina's Militia and the Fight for American Independence, explores the critical role that those living in the less-settled South Carolina interior, including the area which is now Richland County, played in resisting...
14 Jun
Sunday, June 14th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
1800 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia for a stroll through the Arsenal Hill neighborhood.
21 Jun
Sunday, June 21st: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays | The 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! This month, visit the Museum of the Reconstruction Era.
28 Jun
Sunday, June 28th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
Hollywood-Rose Hill Walking Tour
216 South Gregg Street, Columbia, SC 29205
Join Historic Columbia for a stroll through the Hollywood-Rose Hill neighborhood.
19 Jul
Sunday, July 19th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
BullStreet District Walking Tour
2100 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Explore the BullStreet District with Historic Columbia.
19 Jul
Sunday, July 19th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sunday | Mann-Simons Site
1403 Richland 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’s featured property is the Mann-Simons Site.
01 Aug
Saturday, August 1st: 10 — 11 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join Chris Mathis, Horticulture Manager at Historic Columbia, on a guided tour of the diverse tree collection in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion and the Robert Mills House. From South Carolina natives to exotic species rarely seen in cultivation, each seasonal Tree Trek walking tour highlights a different...
13 Aug
Thursday, August 13th: 8 — 9 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Grab your binoculars to join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda for a free, guided bird walk around the Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia.
16 Aug
Sunday, August 16th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sunday | Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
2025 Marion 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 thanks to Richland County! This month’s featured property is the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House.
23 Aug
Sunday, August 23rd: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Explore the Congaree Vista with Historic Columbia.
19 Sep
Saturday, September 19th: 11 a.m. — 6 p.m.
Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture
1403 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201