Historic Columbia announces July 2024 events
July 1, 2024
Historic Columbia is excited to announce programming and events for July 2024. See the full list of July events below and be sure to leave room in your calendar to experience all Historic Columbia has to offer.
CALENDAR OF PROGRAMS & EVENTS:
Knowledge at Noon: Explore Our Collection
Wednesday, July 3 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Virtual
Join Historic Columbia Collections Manager Rachel Gregor for “Explore Our Collection,” the inaugural presentation in HC’s new Knowledge at Noon virtual series. Gregor will examine some of the organization’s most popular objects currently on display at HC’s five house museums. Attendees will discover the stories behind these objects and how Historic Columbia cares for its 4,000-piece collection.
Admission: FREE; registration is required to receive meeting link.
Thursday, July 11 | 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
Join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda every second Thursday of the month for a free, guided bird walk around the Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn about the many local and migratory birds in Columbia. Bring your binoculars and learn how to identify birds by sight, sound, and behavior. The Hampton-Preston Gardens host over 100 bird species throughout the year, providing a great opportunity to observe and learn about our feathered friends at HC.
Admission: This FREE event is at capacity for July.
Flower Cutting at Historic Columbia
Thursday, July 18 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Robert Mills Carriage House | 1616 Blanding Street
Join Historic Columbia for a special event dedicated to the art of creating stunning cut flower arrangements! During this hands-on workshop, attendees will use a variety of seasonal flowers and foliage from the gardens of Historic Columbia to create a floral masterpiece to take home while receiving expert tips on selecting, preparing, and caring for cut flowers. While the flower vase is provided, attendees are required to bring their own pruners or purchase a pair with your ticket for an additional $15. Light refreshments, beer, and wine are included.
Admission: $35 HC members, $45 non-members
Free Sunday at the Museum of the Reconstruction Era
Sunday, July 21 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Museum of the Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home | 1705 Hampton Street
On 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 features the Museum of the Reconstruction Era. The house will be open for attendees to tour at their own pace, and guides will be available to answer questions.
Admission: FREE for HC members and residents of Richland and Lexington counties with valid ID. All other adults are $12 and youth are $8.
Sunday, July 21 | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Begins and ends at the Arsenal Hill Community Center | 1800 Lincoln Street
Join Historic Columbia for a stroll through the Arsenal Hill neighborhood, located at the highest elevation within downtown. 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 later nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Participants will learn how these residences, combined with spiritual, educational, and governmental institutions, resulted in an eclectic mix of architecture as well as dynamic community histories. The tour will last approximately 75 minutes.
Admission: $5 HC members, $10 non-members, youth 17 and under are FREE.
Historic Columbia is proud to be a Blue Star Museum
Through September 2
Historic Columbia proudly participates in the Blue Star Museum program, which grants free admission to our Historic House Museums for active-duty military personnel and their immediate family. The Blue Star Museums program ends on Labor Day.
Admission: FREE admission for active-duty military members and up to five family members, with valid ID. This program is not available to retired members of the military. Visit our website for full details.
HISTORIC HOUSE TOURS:
Historic Columbia’s historic house museum tours offer a peek into the past! Tours are free for members, $12 for adults, and $8 for youth ages 6-12 (Add $3 each for Journey to Freedom combined tour.). Discounts are available to active military, seniors, AAA members, and students, and must be requested at the time of purchase. Please purchase tickets online OR at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills, located at 1616 Blanding Street. All tours begin at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills.
Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
Wednesday – Saturday | 12:00 p.m.
Sunday | 1:30 p.m.
Journey to Freedom: Mann-Simons Site and Modjeska Monteith Simkins House | 1403 Richland Street & 2025 Marion Street
Wednesday – Saturday | 1:30 p.m.
Sunday | 3:00 p.m.
The Museum of Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home | 1705 Hampton Street
Wednesday – Saturday | 10:30 a.m.
Sunday | 1:30 p.m.
Robert Mills House & Gardens | 1616 Blanding Street
Wednesday – Sunday | 3:00 p.m.
PUBLIC GARDENS:
Our 14 acres of landscapes in the heart of Robert Mills Historic District feature heirloom plantings popular with gardeners over the past two centuries. Entrance to the gardens is free, so come by to take a stroll or enjoy your lunch in any of our gardens. Don’t hesitate to sprawl on the grass to get some sun and throw a frisbee—and your four-legged friends are welcome!
Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Robert Mills House & Gardens | 1616 Blanding Street
Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Seibels House & Gardens | 1601 Richland Street
Tuesday – Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Woodrow Wilson Family Home | 1405 Hampton Street
Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
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 Facebook, Instagram, X, or YouTube for more details.
