Tours
What tours are available?
Beginning May 1, Historic Columbia will offer limited capacity, semi-guided tours for four house museums.
- Tuesday – Mann-Simons Site (10 a.m.) and Robert Mills House & Gardens (1 p.m.)
- Friday – The Museum of the Reconstruction Era (10 a.m.) and Hampton-Preston Mansion (1 p.m.)
- Saturday – Mann-Simons Site (10 a.m.) and Robert Mills House & Gardens (1 p.m.)
- Sunday – The Museum of Reconstruction Era (1 p.m.) and Hampton-Preston Mansion (3 p.m.)
Please check our House Tours page and Hours & Pricing for additional information. Tickets can be purchase at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills.
Do I need to wear a face covering while on the tour?
Face coverings are required to be worn on all indoor and outdoor tours.
Are there other safety guidelines while I visit Historic Columbia’s house museums?
The houses are open under reduced capacity and guests are asked to remain six feet apart at all times.
Will restrooms be available?
Restrooms are available in the Robert Mills Carriage House during the hours that the Gift Shop at Robert Mills is open.
Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sundays: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
If I have other questions, who should I contact?
Please call our reservations office at 803-252-1770 ext. 23
Gift Shop
What hours is the gift shop open?
The Gift Shop at Robert Mills is open:
Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sundays: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Can I purchase gifts online?
Yes, you can purchase all of HC's gift shop items at ShopHistoricColumbia.com. Items can be picked up at the Gift Shop.
Are social distancing requirements in place?
Yes, Historic Columbia requires face coverings and six feet of distance between guests while shopping.
Gardens
What hours are the gardens open?
The gardens at Robert Mills House, Hampton-Preston Mansion, and Seibels House will be open to the public as follows:
- Seibels House (1601 Richland Street): 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesday - Friday
- Robert Mills (1616 Blanding Street): 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday | Extended Hours on Thursdays until 7 p.m. | 1 - 4 p.m. Sunday
- Hampton-Preston (1615 Blanding Street): 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday | Extended Hours on Thursdays until 7 p.m. | 1 - 4 p.m. Sunday
Do I need to wear a face covering while in the garden?
Face coverings are required if you are within six feet of another person per a City of Columbia ordinance.
Are there other safety guidelines while I visit Historic Columbia’s gardens?
Please check the full guidelines at the entrance to each garden.
The gardens are open under reduced capacity (Seibels Gardens – 35; Robert Mills and Hampton Preston – 150 each).
Groups of visitors must be limited to three or fewer (unless members of the same household and then limits are 10) while maintaining six feet or more of distance from others.
Guests will be encouraged to follow a loop around the gardens either clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the guidelines for that particular garden.
Limited seating is available in some of the gardens, but guests are encouraged to bring their own blankets or chairs.
Can I bring my pet?
Visitors are encouraged to bring pets, but please keep them leashed. Picking up after your pet is required.
Am I allowed to bring food or drink onto the grounds?
Visitors can bring their own food and drinks, but please pack it in and pack it out.
If I have other questions, who should I contact?
Please call our reservations office at 803-252-1770 ext. 23
How can I learn about the plants in the gardens while I’m visiting?
Signage throughout the gardens provides information on the history, plants, and more.
If you would like to learn about specific plants that you find during your visit, our garden database records the origin, progress, and success of the diverse living plant collections at Historic Columbia.
Will restrooms be available?
Restrooms are available in the Robert Mills Carriage House during the hours that the Gift Shop at Robert Mills is open.
Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sundays: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.