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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.

  • Admission

    Tours are free for members and $15 for non-members. Visit The Gift Shop at Robert Mills, located at 1616 Blanding Street, to purchase tickets.

    Become a Member

  • Questions?

    Contact Us

    reservations@historiccolumbia.org
    803.252.1770 x 23

Upcoming Events

See All Events

08 Jun

Thursday, June 8th: 10 — 10:45 a.m.

Storytime in the Garden

1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Meet us in the Robert Mills House Gardens for stories, songs, and an activity led by Richland Library and Historic Columbia staff!

Learn More

08 Jun

Thursday, June 8th: 6 — 7:30 p.m.

Renovation Rodeo | Forest Acres

TBA, Columbia, SC 29204

Join Palladium on Thursday, June 8, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. to tour a newly renovated home in charming Forest Acres! Hear firsthand accounts about the renovation process and gain insight into the history of the home and Forest Acres. Enjoy light hors d'oeuvres as well as beer and wine...

Learn More

11 Jun

Sunday, June 11th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.

Congaree Vista Walking Tour

1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Explore Main Street with Historic Columbia on Sunday, May 14, 2023.

Learn More

12 Jun

Monday, June 12th — Friday, June 16th: 9 a.m.—4 p.m.

Summer Camp Session I

1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Each summer, Historic Columbia holds two sessions of a summer day camp where history comes to life through interactive activities and exploration of the gardens, grounds, and houses of Historic Columbia. Campers ages 8 to 12 are invited to take an adventure in time as we explore what it was...

Learn More

18 Jun

Mann-Simons Site

Sunday, June 18th: 1 — 4 p.m.

Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Mann-Simons Site

1403 Richland St., Columbia, SC 29201

Residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for FREE once a month thanks to Richland County, with support from HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month’s featured house is the Mann-Simons Site, where a collection of commercial and domestic spaces were once owned and operated by the same African American family from at least 1843 until 1970.

Learn More

09 Jul

Sunday, July 9th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.

Heathwood Walking Tour

800 Abelia Road, Columbia, SC 29205

Explore Heathwood with Historic Columbia on Sunday, July 9, 2023.

Learn More

10 Jul

Monday, July 10th — Friday, July 14th: 9 a.m.—4 p.m.

Summer Camp Session II

1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Each summer, Historic Columbia holds two sessions of a summer day camp where history comes to life through interactive activities and exploration of the gardens, grounds, and houses of Historic Columbia. Campers ages 8 to 12 are invited to take an adventure in time as we explore what it was...

Learn More

16 Jul

Sunday, July 16th: 1 — 4 p.m.

Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | 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, with support from HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month, visit the Museum of the Reconstruction Era.

Learn More

18 Jul

Tuesday, July 18th: 10 — 10:45 a.m.

Storytime in the Garden

1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Meet us in the gardens of the Robert Mills Hosue for stories, songs, and an activity led by Richland Library and Historic Columbia staff!

Learn More

10 Aug

Thursday, August 10th: 3:15 — 4 p.m.

Storytime in the Garden

1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Meet us in the gardens at the Robert Mills House for stories, songs, and an activity led by Richland Library and Historic Columbia staff!

Learn More

13 Aug

Sunday, August 13th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.

Arsenal Hill Walking Tour

1800 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Explore Arsenal Hill with Historic Columbia on Sunday, August 13, 2023.

Learn More

20 Aug

Hampton-Preston Mansion

Sunday, August 20th: 1 — 4 p.m.

Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens

1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for FREE once a month thanks to Richland County, with support from HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month, visit the Hampton-Preston Mansion.

Learn More

10 Sep

Sunday, September 10th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.

University Hill Walking Tour

1619 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Explore University Hill with Historic Columbia on Sunday, September 11, 2023.

Learn More

16 Sep

Saturday, September 16th: 11 a.m. — 6 p.m.

Jubilee: Festival of Black History and Culture

1403 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Save the Date! Join Historic Columbia at Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. Now in its 45th year, this free outdoor festival brings musicians, artisans, dancers and storytellers together to celebrate South Carolina’s Black history and culture on the...

Learn More

17 Sep

Sunday, September 17th: 1 — 4 p.m.

Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Robert Mills House

1616 Blanding St, Columbia, SC 29201

Residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for FREE once a month thanks to Richland County, with support from HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month, visit the Robert Mills House & Gardens, one of only five National Historic Landmarks within Columbia, and explore architecture and daily life in the 1820s in Columbia.

Learn More

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Historic Columbia

© 2023 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.

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