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Join us for a Behind-the-Scenes tour of
Olympia Armory
Constructed by the Works Progress Administration in 1937, this building continues to serve the South Carolina State Guard. Rehabilitation of the Armory involves preserving its historic features and enhancing the building’s capacity and function as an event space for large gatherings. Join HC on February 11 for a behind-the-scenes look at this building's rehabilitation!
Today at Historic Columbia
Start your experience at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills (1616 Blanding Street)
House Tour
Robert Mills House
3 p.m.
House Tour
Journey to Freedom Tour: Mann-Simons Site and Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
1:30 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Gardens at Hampton-Preston Mansion
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Gardens at Robert Mills
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Garden at Woodrow Wilson Family Home
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Public Garden Hours
Gardens at Seibels House
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Preserving Our Stories
Tours
Connect with History
Our four house tours give you the chance to explore Columbia's history from antebellum to Civil Rights.
Upcoming Events
See All Events19 Jan
Sunday, January 19th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Hampton-Preston Mansion
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
The third Sunday of the month, residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour of one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for FREE thanks to Richland County, with support from HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month, visit the Hampton-Preston Mansion.
19 Jan
Sunday, January 19th: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
BullStreet District Walking Tour
2100 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia for a stroll through the heart of the BullStreet District and the rich history of the former main campus of the South Carolina State Hospital, highlighting the experiences of patients, caregivers, and family members from the early 19th century to the late 20th century. Their stories and the retention of historically significant buildings have driven Historic Columbia’s preservation advocacy efforts throughout the site’s redevelopment as The BullStreet District.
05 Feb
Wednesday, February 5th: 12 — 1 p.m.
Knowledge at Noon | The Warming Kitchen Unlocked
Join Historic Columbia Curator of History Becca Woodruff and University of South Carolina Distinguished Professor of History Mark Smith as they discuss the new exhibit, “ Heat and Hardship: The Hidden Labor of Enslaved Cooks.” Funded by South Carolina Humanities, this exhibit relies heavily on audio and tactile interactives to...
11 Feb
Tuesday, February 11th: 5:30 — 7 p.m.
Behind-the-Scenes Tour | Olympia Armory
Join Historic Columbia as we explore the historic Olympia Armory, just one of many buildings undergoing renovation in Columbia's historic Mill Village district. Constructed by the Works Progress Administration in 1937, this building continues to serve the South Carolina State Guard. Rehabilitation of the Armory—undertaken by the local team of...
13 Feb
Thursday, February 13th: 8 — 10 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Grab your binoculars to join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda for a free, guided bird walk around the Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...
13 Feb
Thursday, February 13th: 5:30 — 7 p.m.
Columbia Conversations | The Cost of the Vote
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia for a talk and book signing by Carolyn Click. Her new book, The Cost of the Vote: George Elmore and the Battle for the Ballot, centers on George Elmore and the activists and lawyers who successfully challenged the all-white primary in South Carolina. Although Elmore’s court challenge...
16 Feb
Sunday, February 16th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Mann-Simons Site
1403 Richland St., Columbia, SC 29201
The third Sunday of the month, residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour of one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for FREE thanks to Richland County, with support from HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month’s featured property is the Mann-Simons Site.
23 Feb
Sunday, February 23rd: 1 — 2:30 p.m.
1800 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia for a stroll through the Arsenal Hill neighborhood. Established in 1842, Arsenal Hill became a desirable residential area for white elites during the antebellum era and then for middle- and working-class Black residents during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Participants will learn how these residences, combined with spiritual, educational, and governmental institutions, resulted in an eclectic mix of architecture and dynamic community histories.
06 Mar
Thursday, March 6th: 8 — 10 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Grab your binoculars to join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda for a free, guided bird walk around the Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...
16 Mar
Sunday, March 16th: 1 — 4 p.m.
Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Robert Mills House
1616 Blanding St, Columbia, SC 29201
The third Sunday of the month, residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour of one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for FREE thanks to Richland County, with support from HC Board Liaison, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron! This month, visit the Robert Mills House.
06 Apr
Sunday, April 6th: 1 — 6 p.m.
Palladium Tour | A Century of Style
TBA, Columbia, SC 29204
You are invited to the 6th annual Palladium Tour | A Century of Style! Join us in Forest Hills on April 6, 2025, to explore a curated group of homes that showcase varied styles of architecture while learning about the history of Forest Hills and the people who have called...
10 Apr
Thursday, April 10th: 8 — 10 a.m.
1615 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Grab your binoculars to join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda for a free, guided bird walk around the Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. With the Hampton-Preston gardens playing host to over 100 bird species over the course of the year...
15 May
Thursday, May 15th: 5 — 6:30 p.m.
2025 Preservation Awards Ceremony
701 Whaley St., Columbia, SC 29201
Join Historic Columbia as we celebrate National Historic Preservation month by recognizing exemplary work in preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, and revitalization in Columbia and Richland County.
20 Sep
Saturday, September 20th: 11 a.m. — 6 p.m.
Jubilee: Festival of Black History and Culture
1403 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Experience the vibrant spirit of history and culture at the 47th annual Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture, hosted by Historic Columbia! Join us on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for a spectacular day filled with music, art, dance, and captivating stories, all set...
Why Join?
If you look around, you’ll see Historic Columbia’s advocacy work everywhere—from the Bull Street development to the new Palmetto Compress building…and we’ve got big plans to save even more historic properties from demolition, but we need the help of people like you to make it happen.
Join TodayWhy Join?
Your membership helps us create entertaining historical programming that brings people from diverse age groups and backgrounds together. Our educational programs help explain the connections between our past and present, using history as a prism for a deeper understanding.
Join TodayWhy Join?
As a member, you’ll get discounted admission and early access to our most popular events. Joining Historic Columbia is a great way to “plug in” to the city’s professional network and get involved in your community.
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