Skip to main content

The Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens is closed on Sunday, May 18. All other sites and tours will run as scheduled, including Free Sunday at the Museum of the Reconstruction Era.

See Available Tour Times
Menu Close Menu

Historic Columbia

Donate
  • FAQs
Upcoming Events

Navigation

  • Tours
    • House Tours
      • Robert Mills House and Gardens
      • Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens
      • Mann-Simons Site
      • The Museum of the Reconstruction Era
      • Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
      • Hours and Pricing
    • Garden Tours
      • Garden Database
    • Offsite Tours
      • Walking Tours
    • African American History Tours
    • Online Tours
  • Education
    • Field Trips
      • House Tours
    • Traveling Trunks
  • Support
    • Corporate Support
      • Additional Support Opportunities
      • Corporate Membership
      • Program & Event Sponsorship Options
    • Donate
    • Membership
      • Palladium
    • Volunteer
    • Partners and Donors
  • Rent a Venue
    • Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion
    • Seibels House and Garden
    • Robert Mills Carriage House and Gardens
    • Gardens of the Woodrow Wilson Family Home
    • Weddings
    • Photoshoots
    • Contact Us
  • Research
    • Object Collection
    • Projects and Initiatives
  • Preservation
    • Preservation Awards
    • Preservation Advocacy
    • Resources and Services
    • Economic Impact Study
    • Building Richland County
  • About
    • Blog
    • Board Members
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Gift Shop at Robert Mills
      • Online Store
    • Newsletter
    • Staff Directory

Donate

  1. Home
  2. Online Tours
  3. African American Heritage Sites Tour
  4. 1713 Wayne Street

1713 Wayne Street

Cornwell Tourist Home

Hattie Ellis and John R. Cornwell purchased 1713 Wayne Street in 1905 and built a new residence on the property in 1910. John Cornwell was an avid baseball fan and the proprietor of Cornwell’s Barber Shop, which was in the Habenicht-McDougall building at 1629-1631 Main Street for nearly 40 years. Their daughter, Harriett, turned the residence into Miss Harriett M. Cornwell Tourist Home after their deaths in the 1930s, and from 1938 until 1967 it appeared in the Negro Travelers’ Green Book, a guide that helped African Americans safely navigate segregated spaces in cities across the United States. Harriett, a graduate of Benedict College, taught at Waverly Elementary School until her retirement.

  • 1713 Wayne Street

    Former Cornwell Tourist Home, 2018. Historic Columbia collection

  • Cornwell Tourist home

    Hattie Cornwell stands up the street from Cornwell Tourist Home, circa 1920s. Image courtesy James E. Carter, III

  • 1713 Wayne Street

    Former Cornwell Tourist Home, 2018. Historic Columbia collection

Remembered as a neighborhood leader, Harriet "Hattie Mae" Cornwell, opened her home to not only travelers seeking accommodations during Jim Crow segregation, but also neighbors in need. In 1914, while Francis Butler was rebuilding his family's home at 1716 Wayne Street, several family members stayed at the Cornwell residence.

Directions:

    Previous1717 Wayne Street

    NextNorthwest Corner of Lincoln and Hampton Streets

    NTHP Preservation Award Winner
    Historic Columbia

    © 2025 Historic Columbia

    Administrative Offices
    1601 Richland Street
    Columbia, SC 29201

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

    Questions? Call (803) 252-7742.

    Newsletter Signup

    newsletter signup

    Subscribe to our monthly newsletter for events, news, and updates from Historic Columbia!

    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Flickr
    • Privacy Policy
    Website by Cyberwoven