Sunday, October 20th
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.
Free Sundays Are Presented By
Upcoming Free Events
See All Events12 Sep
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
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
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...
28 Sep
Saturday, September 28th: 12 — 1 p.m.
Columbia Canopy Project Community Celebration | Historic Waverly
1300 Pine Street, Columbia, SC 29204
02 Oct
Wednesday, October 2nd: 12 — 1 p.m.
Knowledge at Noon: Digging Where You Play
Join Dr. Kelly Goldberg for this month’s Knowledge at Noon: Digging Where You Play. Did you know Sesquicentennial State Park, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and opened to the public in 1940, contains archaeological sites representing both precontact and historic occupations? Recent archaeological excavations focused on investigating the history...
07 Oct
Monday, October 7th: 6 — 7:30 p.m.
Columbia Conversations | Baking in the American South
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia for a talk and book signing by New York Times bestselling food writer and cookbook author Anne Byrn. Byrn will appear in conversation with Anson Mills founder Glenn Roberts to discuss her new book, Baking in the American South: 200 Recipes and Their Untold Stories. Moderated by...
10 Oct
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...
16 Oct
Wednesday, October 16th: 6:30 — 7:30 p.m.
5317 North Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206
Step into the past with Richland Library and Historic Columbia's Curator of History, Rebecca Woodruff, as she shares the captivating history of Forest Acres, the "city within a city" established in 1935. Join us at the Richland Library Cooper branch for an engaging program and the opportunity to share your...
20 Oct
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
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
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
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
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.