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Historic Columbia's offices and gardens will be closed on Monday, February 16, for Presidents' Day. 

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Sunday, March 15th

1 — 4 p.m.

Free Sunday | 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 Councilman Jason Branham! 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. 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. No advance registration available. 

  • Tickets

    Admission is FREE for Richland and Lexington county residents with a valid ID. Register for tours at Historic Columbia's Welcome Center, located adjacent to the Robert Mills House. 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, SC

Upcoming Free Events

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12 Feb

Thursday, February 12th: 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

15 Feb

Sunday, February 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 Councilman Jason Branham! This month’s featured property is the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House.

Learn More

12 Mar

Thursday, March 12th: 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

15 Mar

Hampton-Preston Mansion

Sunday, March 15th: 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 Councilman Jason Branham! This month, visit the Hampton-Preston Mansion.

Learn More

09 Apr

Thursday, April 9th: 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

19 Apr

Mann-Simons Site

Sunday, April 19th: 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! This month’s featured property is the Mann-Simons Site.

Learn More

30 Apr

Thursday, April 30th: 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

02 May

Saturday, May 2nd: 10 — 11 a.m.

Tree Trek

1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Join Chris Mathis, Horticulture Manager at Historic Columbia, on a guided tour of the diverse tree collection in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion and the Robert Mills House. This tour is an opportunity to learn about a wide variety of trees ranging from South Carolina natives to exotic...

Learn More

14 May

Thursday, May 14th: 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

17 May

Sunday, May 17th: 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! This month, visit the Robert Mills House.

Learn More

28 May

Thursday, May 28th: 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

11 Jun

Thursday, June 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

21 Jun

Woodrow Wilson Family Home

Sunday, June 21st: 1 — 4 p.m.

Free Sundays | 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! This month, visit the Museum of the Reconstruction Era.

Learn More
NTHP Preservation Award Winner
Historic Columbia

© 2026 Historic Columbia

Administrative Offices
1601 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Tours
All historic house and garden tours start at the Welcome Center at Robert Mills.
1616 Blanding Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Questions? Call (803) 252-7742.

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