Historic Columbia maintains a permanent collection of more than 6,500 historic artifacts. This collection spans the 18th, 19th and early-20th centuries and forms the basis of interpretation at our historic house museums through period room settings and exhibits located in traditional museum galleries. Objects include a growing collection of locally made or used textiles, decorative arts, fine art, tools, and historic images.
Collections and Exhibits
Do you have something to share?
We actively collect artifacts that allow us to tell better stories. If you are interested in donating artifacts from your personal collection that may fit the collecting scope of the organization, share your story with us. You can upload an image and contact our cultural resources department directly here.
Collection Spotlight
Mary Chesnut Dress
2018 marks the 200th anniversary of the construction of the Hampton-Preston Mansion. In commemoration, HC has unveiled improvements to the site, including a reproduction of a dress worn by Mary Boykin Chesnut. Textile historians Kathy Staples and Mackenzie Scholtz joined forces to examine the dress for clues to its history. Click the button below to learn more about the process!
Questions?
Contact us our director of house museums, Fielding Freed, at 803.252.1770 x 34 or at ffreed@historiccolumbia.org for more information.