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Sunday, August 20th

1 — 4 p.m.

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

Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens : 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.

Wealthy Columbia merchant Ainsley Hall and his wife, Sarah, had this mansion built in 1818. They lived here briefly, until 1823, when Ainsley sold it to Wade Hampton I, who was known as one of the South's richest planters. For the next 50 years, the estate grew to be Columbia's grandest residence under the Hampton and Preston families and the many men, women and children they enslaved. In the 100 years following the Civil War, the mansion and its touted gardens hosted many different owners, including colleges and a tourist home. After an extensive rehabilitation, the property opened to the public in 1970 as an historic site. The site is owned by Richland County and managed by Historic Columbia. 

Admission is free for HC members and residents of Richland and Lexington counties. For all other visitors, admission to the Hampton-Preston Mansion or other properties is $12 for adults and $8 for youth and may be paid on site. Space is limited so guests will be registered on a first come first serve basis. 

  • Admission

    Admission is FREE for Richland and Lexington County residents with a valid I.D.

    Register for tours at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills. Tours will be semi-guided and offered at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00. Space is limited so guests will be registered on a first come first serve basis.

  • Questions?

    Contact Us

    Phone: (803) 252-1770 ext. 23
    Email: reservations@historiccolumbia.org

  • Hampton-Preston gazebo
  • Hampton-Preston Mansion
  • Hampton-Preston Mansion
  • Hampton-Preston Mansion
  • Hampton-Preston Mansion
  • Hampton-Preston Mansion
  • Hampton-Preston Mansion

Free Sundays Are Presented By

  • Richland County government logo

Upcoming Free Sundays

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15 Oct

Mann-Simons Site

Sunday, October 15th: 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.

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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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