Robin Waites announces plans to retire from Historic Columbia in June 2024
October 24, 2023
After two decades of service to Historic Columbia (HC), Robin Waites has announced plans to retire from her role as executive director in June 2024. Waites started her tenure at Historic Columbia in January 2002 as the director of external affairs (marketing & development) and assumed the role of executive director in August 2004.
Robin Waites has been an instrumental figure in the growth and success of HC. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its reach and influence, protecting and promoting the rich history of Columbia and Richland County. When Waites started as executive director, HC had six full-time staff, a $300,000 budget, responsibility for 6 historic buildings, and 14 acres of grounds that were unkempt at best. Today, the organization has 21 full- and 20 part-time staff, a budget of $2.5 million, and its buildings and grounds stand among the best examples of historic site preservation and interpretation in the region.
“For two decades, Robin has been a guiding force at HC, leading the organization with unwavering dedication, passion, and a deep commitment to preserving the rich history of Columbia,” said HC Board of Trustees chair Kim Crafton. “Under her guidance, HC has flourished, becoming a vital institution that connects the past and the present.”
Robin Waites’ legacy extends beyond her role as executive director. Her advocacy for historic preservation, her commitment to inclusivity, and her ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life have made her a beloved figure in the community. Through the years, Waites stewarded a number of projects and initiatives to uplift diverse voices and experiences that have shaped Columbia’s history. Her work at HC made huge strides in recognizing and celebrating the contributions of these underrepresented communities.
Waites’ retirement marks the closing of an extraordinary chapter in HC’s history, but her legacy will undoubtedly live on in the work of the organization she has nurtured and developed over the years. “As we celebrate Robin’s remarkable career, we also look ahead to the bright future of HC, knowing that the organization is well equipped to continue its important mission, thanks in large part to the vision and persistence of this remarkable leader,” said Crafton.
“It has been an incredible privilege to lead Historic Columbia and work with our dedicated board, staff, members, volunteers, and supporters,” said Robin Waites. “I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am confident that Historic Columbia will continue to thrive in its mission to protect and celebrate our community’s rich history.”
The Board of Trustees will soon begin a search for HC’s next executive director. Waites will remain with HC through the end of June 2024 to assist with the transition to new leadership. The organization is committed to finding a leader who can build upon the foundation laid by Waites and continue the organization’s mission of preserving places and sharing complex stories from the past that connect us in the present and inspire our future.
About Historic Columbia
In November 1961, a small group of individuals intent on saving the Ainsley Hall House from demolition officially incorporated as Historic Columbia. 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. Visit historiccolumbia.org or find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube for more details.
