Built between 1890 and 1895, this one-story cottage was home to Modjeska Monteith Simkins, considered "the Matriarch of Civil Rights activists of South Carolina," from 1934 until her death on April 5, 1992.
Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
Coronavirus Closings
To aid in efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Historic Columbia's house museums are temporarily closed to the public. Our gardens were opened to the public on June 16. Please stay tuned to our website and social media for future updates.
History
From a young age Modjeska Monteith Simkins practiced social activism. Her career involved working with local and national civil rights leaders and NAACP lawyers such as Thurgood Marshall, who met at her home. Simkins' efforts in the realm of education, public health and human rights led her to receive the Order of the Palmetto-the State of South Carolina's highest honor-before her death in 1992.
Today, her former residence continues to be a meeting space for people committed to improving the lives of the most underrepresented citizens in the community.
Did you know?
Historic Columbia maintains a permanent collection of more than 6,500 historic artifacts spanning the 18th, 19th and early-20th centuries, including a growing collection of locally made or used textiles, decorative arts, fine art, tools, and historic images. Learn more
Learn More
To read about the matriarch of S.C. Civil Rights and the coming updates to her Marion Street home, visit our Modjeska Simkins page.