This event has passed.
Friday, December 31st
10 a.m. — 3 p.m.
Holiday House Tours 2021
Gift Shop at Robert Mills : 1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Guests are invited to see a variety of holiday decorations and experience traditions at our historic house museums through 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 are offered Wednesday – Saturday at 10 a.m.,12 p.m., 1:30 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 Events12 Dec
Thursday, December 12th: 8 — 10 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 Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...
15 Dec
Sunday, December 15th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | 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.
15 Dec
Sunday, December 15th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
BullStreet District Walking Tour
2100 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Explore the BullStreet District with Historic Columbia.
09 Jan
Thursday, January 9th: 8 — 10 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 Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...
19 Jan
Sunday, January 19th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | 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, with support from HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month, visit the Hampton-Preston Mansion.
19 Jan
Sunday, January 19th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
BullStreet District Walking Tour
2100 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Explore the BullStreet District with Historic Columbia.
11 Feb
Tuesday, February 11th: 5:30 — 7 p.m.
Behind-the-Scenes Tour | Olympia Armory
Join Historic Columbia as we explore the historic Olympia Armory, just one of many buildings undergoing renovation in Columbia's historic Mill Village district. Constructed by the Works Progress Administration in 1937, this building continues to serve the South Carolina State Guard. Rehabilitation of the Armory involves preserving its historic features...
13 Feb
Thursday, February 13th: 8 — 10 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 Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...
16 Feb
Sunday, February 16th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | 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 thanks to Richland County, with support from HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month’s featured property is the Mann-Simons Site.
06 Mar
Thursday, March 6th: 8 — 10 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 Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...
16 Mar
Sunday, March 16th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | 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 thanks to Richland County, with support from HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month, visit the Robert Mills House.
10 Apr
Thursday, April 10th: 8 — 10 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 Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...
15 May
Thursday, May 15th: 5 — 6:30 p.m.
2025 Preservation Awards Ceremony
701 Whaley St., Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia as we celebrate National Historic Preservation month by recognizing exemplary work in preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, and revitalization in Columbia and Richland County.