FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ashley Tucker
Historic Columbia Foundation
803.252.7742 ext. 16, atucker@historiccolumbia.org
Columbia, SC (May 3, 2012) – What mother doesn’t love flowers, or a beautiful garden stroll? Make those garde
ns the recently revitalized gardens at the Hampton-Preston Mansion, the new Welcome Garden or Founders’ Garden at the Robert Mills House or the heritage plantings at the Seibels House Garden and you have a scenic backdrop for a Mother’s Day she’ll always remember.
Historic Columbia Foundation is offering their annual Mother’s Day brunch on May 13, 2012 from 11 am – 2 pm at the Seibels House and Garden. Outdoor seating (weather permitting) will be available for mothers and their families to enjoy a meal together. The Seibels House Garden features a revitalized landscape that merges existing historic elements with heritage plantings to showcase the contributions of generations of gardeners.
Mother’s Day Brunch festivities also include a complimentary historic house museum tour of her choice. Mothers and their families will surely wish to take a walk through the revitalized gardens at Hampton-Preston Mansion or the new Welcome Garden at Robert Mills House. Participation in the Foundation’s Second Sunday Stroll of the Robert Mills West historic district beginning at 2 pm (meets at the Seibels House) is also an option for those in attendance (families choose between complimentary house tour or complimentary Second Sunday Stroll).
Reservations are required and can be made by emailing reservations@historiccolumbia.org or by calling 803.252.1770 ext. 24. The cost of the program is $25 members for Foundation members, $30 for non-members and just $5 per child and includes brunch and a house tour or place on the Second Sunday Stroll.
About the event, Sarah Blackwell, Director of Programs at Historic Columbia Foundation says, “From the moment mom sets foot on our grounds, she’ll be delighted by an historic variety of breathtaking plants and flowers.” She goes on to say, “After brunch, walk with mom over to the Hampton-Preston Mansion or Robert Mills House for a complimentary tour, and mom will have the opportunity to experience recently unveiled gardens in both spaces!”
The newly revitalized Hampton-Preston Gardens were recently featured on Walter Edgar’s Journal, Lake Murray magazine, Carolina Gardener magazine and the Columbia Visitors Bureau blog. The first phase of the revitalization of these historic grounds was unveiled in April of 2012 and included new plantings selected from plants known to have been grown on the property during the 1830s through 1860s. New gardens created within the antebellum-period pathway and bed framework included a Fountain Garden, Welcome Garden and Children’s Garden. More information about these gardens can be found at http://historiccolumbia.org/site/visit/gardens/grounds-of-the-hamptonpreston-mansion-gardens/masterplan/index.
Not able to join the Foundation for brunch, or interested in honoring the mother in your life? Show your appreciation for the special mother in your life with a Mother’s Day donation to Historic Columbia Foundation and receive a keepsake ornament with an acknowledgement card (please indicate “Mother’s Day” in the donation notes). Your donation may be given in honor or memory of her many contributions. Link to donate…
High-res, historic images are available for immediate download on the Foundation’s Flickr account. Click on the gardens image set, then click on the desired image thumbnail to enlarge. Right-click the enlarged image and follow the instructions to download the full-size image.
About Historic Columbia Foundation:
In November 1961, a small group of individuals intent on saving the Ainsley Hall House from demolition, officially incorporated as the Historic Columbia Foundation. Over the next five decades the organization, which was founded on the premise of preservation and education, would take on the stewardship of seven historic properties in Richland County. Today, the organization serves as a model for local preservation efforts and interpretation of local history. The 50th Anniversary year of Historic Columbia Foundation (which officially began on November 13, 2011) will include a variety of community celebratory events. Visit http://www.historiccolumbia.org for details.
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