This event has passed.
Sunday, June 16th
1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Hampton-Preston Mansion
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.
Tours are free for HC members and residents of Richland and Lexington counties. For all other visitors, admission to Hampton-Preston Mansion is $12 for adults and $8 for youth. 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 p.m. Space is limited so guests will be registered on a first come first serve basis.
Upcoming Free Events
See All Events07 Aug
![](/sites/default/files/styles/event_thumbnail/public/event/2024-06/Facebook-02.jpg.webp?itok=m9m0osKI)
Wednesday, August 7th: 12 — 1 p.m.
Knowledge at Noon: Meet the (Acting) Executive Director
Join Historic Columbia Director of Operations Jeffrey Richardson to learn more about the organization in a time of transition. Having held key positions across the country at museums big and small, municipal and non-profit, Richardson will provide an overview of his career to show how it will inform his tenure...
08 Aug
![](/sites/default/files/styles/event_thumbnail/public/event/2023-12/MMA.png.webp?itok=oM3GygJK)
Thursday, August 8th: 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...
10 Aug
![Columbia Canopy Project Celebration](/sites/default/files/styles/event_thumbnail/public/event/2023-09/CCP-MMA.png.webp?itok=sHAoqIbk)
Saturday, August 10th: 10 — 11 a.m.
Columbia Canopy Project Community Celebration | Windemere Springs
1200 Hyatt Avenue, Columbia, SC 29203
17 Aug
![Columbia Canopy Project Celebration](/sites/default/files/styles/event_thumbnail/public/event/2023-09/CCP-MMA.png.webp?itok=sHAoqIbk)
Saturday, August 17th: 6 — 7 p.m.
Columbia Canopy Project Community Celebration | Greenview
6700 David Street, Columbia, SC 29203
18 Aug
![Mann-Simons Site](/sites/default/files/styles/event_thumbnail/public/event/2018-12/Mann-Simons%20Website%20Header%20Dec%202016-01-01.jpg.webp?itok=xqhJi8rG)
Sunday, August 18th: 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.
12 Sep
![](/sites/default/files/styles/event_thumbnail/public/event/2023-12/MMA.png.webp?itok=oM3GygJK)
Thursday, September 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 Sep
![](/sites/default/files/styles/event_thumbnail/public/event/2023-06/IMG_4378.png.webp?itok=g0AQOXrk)
Sunday, September 15th: 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.
21 Sep
![](/sites/default/files/styles/event_thumbnail/public/event/2024-01/Jubilee%20crowd%202023.jpg.webp?itok=vOt2BmIJ)
Saturday, September 21st: 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 Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture, presented by Ambetter from Absolute Total Care and hosted by Historic Columbia! Join us on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for a spectacular day filled with music, art, dance...
10 Oct
![](/sites/default/files/styles/event_thumbnail/public/event/2023-12/MMA.png.webp?itok=oM3GygJK)
Thursday, October 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...
20 Oct
![Hampton-Preston Mansion](/sites/default/files/styles/event_thumbnail/public/event/2018-09/hp%20with%20shutters_03.jpg.webp?itok=XZ5y1vWa)
Sunday, October 20th: 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.
28 Oct
![2017 Trunk or Treat](/sites/default/files/styles/event_thumbnail/public/event/2018-07/trunkortreat_55.jpg.webp?itok=lPVIFoGb)
Monday, October 28th: 5:30 — 7 p.m.
1616 Blanding St., Columbia, SC 29201
Put on your costume and join us as we bring the fun of Halloween to the Robert Mills House during Trunk or Treat! Children will enjoy trick-or-treating with a twist in a safe and fun environment at this free event. Community members and organizations will display decorated table and trunks filled with candy throughout the grounds of the Robert Mills House.
14 Nov
![](/sites/default/files/styles/event_thumbnail/public/event/2023-12/MMA.png.webp?itok=oM3GygJK)
Thursday, November 14th: 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...
17 Nov
![Woodrow Wilson Family Home](/sites/default/files/styles/event_thumbnail/public/event/2018-10/wwfh%20cm_05.jpg.webp?itok=M-C5VYp-)
Sunday, November 17th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | The 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.
12 Dec
![](/sites/default/files/styles/event_thumbnail/public/event/2023-12/MMA.png.webp?itok=oM3GygJK)
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
![](/sites/default/files/styles/event_thumbnail/public/event/2024-02/MMS%20Interior.png.webp?itok=K3TZYlxX)
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.