Frequently Asked Questions
I have questions about:
Tours | Welcome Center | Gardens | Other
Tours
Please review our House Museum Visitation Policies prior to your tour.
What tours are available?
Historic Columbia offers limited capacity, semi-guided tours for five house museums.
- Wednesday – Saturday | Hampton-Preston Mansion (10:30 a.m., 3:00 p.m.), Robert Mills House (12:00 p.m.), The Museum of the Reconstruction Era (1:30 p.m.)
- Sunday | Hampton-Preston Mansion OR The Museum of Reconstruction Era (1:30 p.m.) and Hampton-Preston Mansion OR Robert Mills House (3:00 p.m.)
Please check our House Tours page and Tour Schedule for additional information. Tickets may be purchased in advance online up until one hour prior to the tour, OR tickets may be purchased at Historic Columbia's Welcome Center, located adjacent to the Robert Mills House.
Questions about our online ticketing system? View frequently asked questions.
Will restrooms be available?
Restrooms are available in the Robert Mills Carriage House during the hours that Historic Columbia's Welcome Center is open.
Wednesday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.#gift
Historic Columbia's Welcome Center
Where is the Welcome Center?
Historic Columbia's Welcome Center is located east of the Robert Mills House, between the main house and the Carriage House.
Where can I park for the Welcome Center?
Free visitor parking is available in Historic Columbia's museum lot on the 1600 block of Henderson Street, between Taylor and Pickens streets, with the Welcome Center located just steps away. Additional free street parking is available nearby. After parking, enter the Robert Mills House and Gardens through any open gate and follow the signs to the Welcome Center.
What are the Welcome Center hours?
Historic Columbia's Welcome Center is open:
Wednesday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.#gardens
Gardens
Please review our Garden Etiquette page prior to your arrival.
What hours are the gardens open?
The gardens will be open to the public as follows:
- Seibels House: Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Robert Mills House: Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Sunday 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Hampton-Preston Mansion: Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Sunday 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Museum of the Reconstruction Era: Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Sunday 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Can I bring my pet?
Visitors are encouraged to bring pets to our gardens, but please keep them leashed. Picking up after your pet is required. Please note only service animals will be permitted inside house museums.
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.
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. #other
If I have other questions, who should I contact?
Please call our reservations office at (803) 252-1770 ext. 23 .