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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

15 Jun

Sunday, June 15th: 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, with support from HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month’s featured property is the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House.

Learn More

26 Jun

Thursday, June 26th: 6 — 7:30 p.m.

Renovation Rodeo | Heathwood West

TBA, Columbia, SC 29205

Join Palladium on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. to view an extensively renovated home located in the Heathwood West neighborhood. Attendees of this Renovation Rodeo will have the unique chance to tour the home and learn about its history and renovation process. Enjoy light refreshments as you mingle...

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29 Jun

Sunday, June 29th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.

Heathwood Walking Tour

800 Abelia Road, Columbia, SC 29205

Explore Heathwood with Historic Columbia.

Learn More

13 Jul

Sunday, July 13th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.

BullStreet District Walking Tour

2100 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Explore the BullStreet District with Historic Columbia.

Learn More

20 Jul

Hampton-Preston Mansion

Sunday, July 20th: 1 — 4 p.m.

Free Sunday | 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.

Learn More

17 Aug

Mann-Simons Site

Sunday, August 17th: 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 thanks to Richland County, with support from HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month’s featured property is the Mann-Simons Site.

Learn More

24 Aug

Sunday, August 24th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.

Elmwood Park Walking Tour

2204 Park Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Join Historic Columbia for a stroll through the Elmwood Park neighborhood.

Learn More

11 Sep

Thursday, September 11th: 8 — 9 a.m.

Birdwatching in the Gardens

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...

Learn More

20 Sep

Saturday, September 20th: 11 a.m. — 6 p.m.

Jubilee: Festival of Black History and Culture

1403 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Experience the vibrant spirit of history and culture at the 47th annual Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture, presented by Absolute Total Care and hosted by Historic Columbia! Join us on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for a spectacular day filled with music, art...

Learn More

21 Sep

Sunday, September 21st: 1 — 4 p.m.

Free Sunday | 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.

Learn More

25 Sep

Thursday, September 25th: 8 — 9 a.m.

Birdwatching in the Gardens

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...

Learn More

28 Sep

Sunday, September 28th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.

University Hill Walking Tour

1619 Pendleton Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Explore University Hill with Historic Columbia.

Learn More
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.

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