Preservation
Robert Mills House Renovations
Thursday, December 26th 2024
Look at before and after images of the recent capital improvements that changed the look of the Robert Mills House and are better preparing this National Landmark structure for its third century of existence.
Historic Columbia Wins Prestigious National Historic Preservation Award
Monday, October 28th 2024
Historic Columbia is proud to announce that it has been honored with the Trustees' Award for Organizational Excellence by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This prestigious award recognizes Historic Columbia’s evolution from a narrowly focused preservation organization into a leader in preserving both the built environment and the memories of people and places often overlooked in history.
Preservation Award Plaque
Tuesday, May 3rd 2022
While May is Preservation Month, Historic Columbia would like to encourage the community to recognize the significance of these award-winning projects all year. To that end, we have established a Preservation Plaque program. These plaques are designed for and available to past Preservation Award recipients. Learn More
Restore, Don't Replace Your Old Windows
Friday, March 15th 2019
Historic windows are both lenses and frames. These vital architectural features can define the character of whole neighborhoods and help us see our community in a whole new light. Often, damage to historic windows is superficial—someone painted them shut, the sash sags, they’re drafty. Almost all historic wood windows can...
James Clyburn Announces New Reconstruction Era Network
Monday, March 4th 2019
I am excited to be here today in support of the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park Act bill. With the goals of creating a Reconstruction Network that will enhance collaboration across SC, the region and the country. In 2008, our organization began the process of rehabilitating a home that was...
Claussen's Bakery: A Landmark of Industrial Columbia
Friday, January 4th 2019
On Thursday, January 17, we will take guests on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Claussen’s Bakery, a historic Five Points landmark that originated as Claussen’s Bakery in 1928. The building was built by George Frederick Claussen, the grandson of a German immigrant who had previously established a steam bakery in...
Help Tell Modjeska Simkins' Story
Thursday, December 27th 2018
Each year, Historic Columbia’s Annual Fund program supports a meaningful project that will have lasting impact on our community. This year’s annual fund is focused on the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House. Built between 1890 and 1895, this one-story cottage was home to Modjeska Monteith Simkins (pictured above)—considered "one of South Carolina’s...
Five Reasons Why a Demolition Delay Ordinance is Good for Columbia
Thursday, October 18th 2018
As recently reported by The State, the Columbia Planning Department and City Council’s economic development subcommittee are considering a “demolition delay” ordinance, which would prevent rapid tear downs of historic, architectural or culturally significant buildings outside of currently protected districts. For more than 50 years, Historic Columbia has been committed...
Mann-Simons Site Wins SC Preservation Service Award
Tuesday, September 4th 2018
On Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, Historic Columbia was presented with the Preservation Service Award at the South Carolina Historic Preservation Awards ceremony for the re-interpretation of the Mann-Simons Site leading up to 2016. The Preservation Service Awards recognize projects and activities that make exemplary contributions to the advancement of historic...
Columbia Museum Community to the Rescue
Wednesday, August 8th 2018
The Robert Mills House was damaged in a summer storm that blew through Columbia on the evening of Sunday, August 5. The historic building's east chimney was hit by lightning, which caused bricks to fall into the house forcing a cloud of ash out of the fireplace and into several...