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 | 1 - 4 p.m. Sunday
Hampton-Preston (1615 Blanding Street): 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday, Extended Hours through 7 p.m. Thursday | 1 - 4 p.m. Sunday
What tours are available?
Historic Columbia recently launched an Outdoor Multi-Site Tour (offered Thursday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-Noon) and Historic Gardens Tour (every Friday at 10-11 a.m.). Tours are limited to 10 people with social distancing and face coverings required.
Visit our Outdoor Tours page for more information and to purchase tickets.
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 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 not available to visitors at this time.
General
Are Historic Columbia house museums open?
While the inside of Historic Columbia's properties remain closed to the public, the grounds are accessible through our gardens and NEW outdoor guided tours.
Historic Columbia recently launched an Outdoor Multi-Site Tour (offered Thursday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-Noon) and Historic Gardens Tour (every Friday from 10-11 a.m.). Tours are limited to 10 people with social distancing and face coverings required.
Visit our Outdoor Tours page for more information and to purchase tickets.