Preservation

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In 1961 the Robert Mills House was threatened with demolition. A grassroots effort to save this property, one of South Carolina’s most important historic sites, led to the establishment of Historic Columbia. Today, we serve as the steward of six dynamic and diverse historic places and are the primary advocate for preservation throughout Columbia and Richland County.

Current Projects and Initiatives

We are the primary preservation advocacy organization in Columbia and Richland County. We work with neighborhoods, City and County Council members, property owners and other interested parties to ensure the preservation of essential historic resources in the area.

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Preservation Awards

We hold an annual Preservation Awards Luncheon each year to celebrate the accomplishments of local architectural, construction and rehabilitation projects and leaders.

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Resources for the Public

We're here to help and have compiled a toolbox of helpful resources for homeowners, neighborhood associations and the preservation-minded.

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Why is Preservation Important?

In addition to solidifying a community's past, preservation can help strengthen a community's future. Historic buildings help create vibrant, cultural downtowns that draw tourism, art, festivals and other activities, which in turn draw investment, revenue and economic growth. Historic neighborhoods are cultural anchors for our multi-faceted community providing benefits that are economic, environmental and social. Historic structures are a physical link to our collective memory, a teaching tool we can look to as a source of wisdom and strength when we need it.

Community

The preservation of historic structures has been shown to strengthen communities. The retention of historic, human-scale structures helps to nurture vibrant walking communities that are attractive to festivals art fairs, and other revenue-generating events. A dynamic, historic downtown not only boots the economy, but a city's overall quality of life.
Vibrant Cities

Historic districts are shown to have a more diversified population than non-historic districts. Re-purposed structures become incubators for entrepreneurship, innovation and experimentation. Studies tell us that there are more women- and minority-owned business in historic districts than anywhere else in cities across America. Not only are they attractive to small businesses, but older buildings are attractive to customers.
Property Values

Studies show that historic structures, which are properly maintained, have a higher property value than their younger counterparts. Buyers and sellers recognize the cultural significance of historic properties which keeps prices high. Plus, the act of historic preservation itself creates jobs. It takes a dedicated, diverse team to restore an existing building.
Conservation

At its most basic, the practice of preservation is the practice of resource conservation. Restoration and redevelopment minimize a property owner's impact on the environment by conserving existing materials and reinvesting in energy already spent on an historic structure. Fewer materials are required to restore existing buildings and, as a result, less wasted is being sent to landfils.

Preservation Spotlight

Columbia's Green Book Sites

The Green Book, as it was commonly called, helped African American tourists navigate what was, according to distinguished historian Gretchen Sorin, "an uncertain landscape" that was "composed of white spaces where black people were forbidden or unwelcome." Katharine Allen, our Director of Research and Interpretation, was recently able to compile a list of Columbia's own Green Book Sites.

Columbia's Green Book Sites

Preservation

Preservation

Current Projects and Initiatives

Preservation Awards

Resources for the Public

Why is Preservation Important?

Community

Vibrant Cities

Property Values

Conservation

Columbia's Green Book Sites

Local Preservation Successes