Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion
Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion
Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion
1615 Blanding Street | Columbia, SC 29201
One of the capital city’s oldest estates, the Hampton-Preston property features three acres of beautiful gardens filled with native and exotic plantings. Magnolias and live oaks tower over garden spaces, including the back lawn and side gardens, while pergolas, a gazebo and a fountain garden provide dynamic settings for creative event designs.
Venue Details
Your Event, Beautifully Framed
Weddings
Exchange vows in the gardens, gather for cocktails along the pathways, and celebrate with dinner and dancing surrounded by historic beauty. The property provides a versatile canvas for ceremonies and receptions of many styles.
Celebrations
From milestone birthdays and anniversaries to family reunions and graduation parties, Hampton-Preston offers a distinctive setting for bringing people together.
Corporate and Community Events
Create an inviting experience for clients, colleagues, donors, or community partners. The gardens are well suited for receptions, festivals, appreciation events, fundraisers, and other large gatherings.
More Than a Beautiful Backdrop
Constructed in 1818, the Hampton-Preston Mansion is one of Columbia’s oldest surviving structures. During the nineteenth century, the estate became known for extensive gardens filled with native plants and specimens collected from around the world.
That beauty was made possible through the knowledge, skill, and forced labor of people enslaved at the property. Today, Historic Columbia preserves the site while sharing the stories of the many people who lived, labored, and shaped its landscape across generations.
When you host an event at Hampton-Preston, your rental supports Historic Columbia’s continued preservation, horticultural care, and educational work.
Hampton-Preston Mansion pictured in 1907 when it served as the home for Chicora College for Women. Image courtesy Historic Columbia collection, HCF 2004.12.1
Next Steps
Schedule a Tour
Contact our Rental Coordinator to set up a time to see the venues in person and discuss booking procedures. Here, you'll provide a little more information about your specific needs and dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our FAQs will provide insight into pricing, deposits, vendors, and much more.
Booking Information
Click here to request more information about renting one of our properties. You can also contact our rental department at (803) 252-7742 ext. 11 or email us at rentals@historiccolumbia.org.
Looking for the Boyd Foundation Horticultural Center Greenhouse?
Located within the Hampton-Preston property, the Boyd Foundation Horticultural Center Greenhouse offers a bright, intimate setting surrounded by Historic Columbia’s gardens. Although the two venues share the same historic landscape, the Horticultural Center is reserved and rented separately from the Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens.
Explore the greenhouse's features, availability, and rental options on its dedicated venue page.
