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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.

  • 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.

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  • Questions?

    Contact Us

    reservations@historiccolumbia.org
    803.252.1770 x 23

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Upcoming Events

See All Events

07 Dec

Wednesday – Saturday at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Holiday House Tours

Experience the holiday season with Historic Columbia on a guided holiday tour of the Robert Mills House and the Hampton-Preston Mansion! Guests are invited to see a variety of holiday decorations and experience traditions in both historic homes between Wednesday, November 15, and Saturday, December 30, 2023. Tour guides will...

Learn More

09 Dec

Saturday, December 9th: 6 — 9 p.m.

Candlelight Tours

1616 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Visit the decorated, candlelit halls of the Hampton-Preston Mansion and the Robert Mills House!

Learn More

17 Dec

Main St

Sunday, December 17th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.

Main Street Walking Tour

1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Explore Main Street with Historic Columbia on Sunday, December 17, 2023.

Learn More

17 Dec

Sunday, December 17th: 1 — 4 p.m.

Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Modjeska Monteith Simkins House

2025 Marion 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! This month, visit the exhibits at the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House, the home to South Carolina's greatest human rights advocate.

Learn More

21 Jan

Hampton-Preston Mansion

Sunday, January 21st: 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

21 Jan

Sunday, January 21st: 1 — 2:30 p.m.

Congaree Vista Walking Tour

1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Explore The Vista with Historic Columbia on Sunday, January 21, 2024.

Learn More

18 Feb

Sunday, February 18th: 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

25 Feb

Sunday, February 25th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.

Heathwood Walking Tour

800 Abelia Road, Columbia, SC 29205

Explore Heathwood with Historic Columbia on Sunday, February 25, 2024.

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17 Mar

Sunday, March 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

16 May

Preservation Awards

Thursday, May 16th: 5 — 6:30 p.m.

2024 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.

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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