Historic Columbia announces October 2024 events
October 2, 2024
Historic Columbia is excited to announce programming and events for October 2024. See the full list of October 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: Digging Where You Play
Wednesday, October 2 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Virtual
Did you know that recent archaeological excavations of Sesquicentennial State Park have uncovered the history of nineteenth- and twentieth-century African American communities that were present prior to the park’s construction? Join Historic Columbia and Dr. Kelly Goldberg of USC as she discusses the ways in which collaborations with local descendants and a focus on educational engagement among K–12 and postsecondary institutes have directed the research design of the Sesquicentennial archaeology project.
Admission: FREE; register to receive meeting link
Thursday, October 3 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
The brass quintet from South Carolina Philharmonic will join Historic Columbia to present a beautiful concert in the gardens at the Hampton-Preston Mansion. Please plan to arrive any time after 5:00 p.m. The concert will begin at 6:00 p.m. and last an hour. Bring your own blanket or chairs and pack a picnic if you’d like. Tickets are required for this 21 & over event. A limited number of pre-sale tickets are available, with additional tickets sold at the gate in the event of favorable weather.
Admission: $20 General Admission
Columbia Conversations: Baking in the American South
Monday, October 7 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. | Boyd Horticultural Center | 1615 Blanding Street
Join Historic Columbia for a talk and book signing by New York Times bestselling food writer and cookbook author Anne Byrn. Byrn will appear in conversation with Anson Mills founder Glenn Roberts to discuss her new book, Baking in the American South: 200 Recipes and Their Untold Stories. Moderated by Rachel Barnett (co-author of Kugels & Collards: Stories of Food, Family and Tradition in South Carolina), Byrn and Roberts will cover the traditions and techniques that tell the story of Southern baking. Light refreshments will be served, including recipes from the book, compliments of Anson Mills and Spotted Salamander.
Admission: $45 Signed copy of the book + reserve your seat, $5 Talk only: HC members, $10 Talk only: non-members
Thursday, October 10 | 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 gardens at the Hampton-Preston Mansion 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: FREE; space is limited and registration is required
Thursday, October 10 | 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Members-only early access
Friday, October 11 | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 12 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
Our semi-annual Plant Sale is here! Attendees will be able to purchase and learn about a wide array of plants propagated from the Living Collections across all our historic sites. All the selections offered are integral to the stories we tell on our sites, and many are rare or not offered elsewhere. Historic Columbia members get early access on Thursday, October 10, so become a member today to gain admission to this exclusive preview sale. The Fall Plant Sale is open to the public on Friday, October 11, and Saturday, October 12.
Free Sunday at the Hampton-Preston Mansion
Sunday, October 20 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion | 1615 Blanding 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, visit the Hampton-Preston Mansion. Tours will be semi-guided and offered at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m. There is no advance registration available and guests will be registered on a first-come first-serve basis. Please register and meet your guide at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills.
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, October 20 | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Begins and ends at Heathwood Park | 800 Abelia Road
Join Historic Columbia for a stroll through the Heathwood neighborhood. Participants will learn about different architectural forms and some of the notable residents who called this neighborhood home over the past century. The tour will last approximately 75 minutes and involves walking on sidewalks and uneven pavement.
Admission: $5 HC members, $10 non-members, youth 17 and under are FREE.
Palladium Silent Auction | Bidding & BBQ
Thursday, October 24 | 6:30 – 10:00 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
Join Historic Columbia for the 20th anniversary of the Palladium Silent Auction. Historic Columbia’s signature fundraising event will feature live music from Whiskey Tango Revue, all-you-can-eat barbecue, an open bar, and the chance to bid on dozens of unique auction items, all set in the gorgeous gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion. Have fun and support a great cause!
Admission: $50 Palladium member, $60 HC members, $70 non-members, $75 at-the-door
Monday, October 28 | 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Robert Mills House & Gardens | 1616 Blanding Street
Put on your costume and join Historic Columbia for a safe, fun, and FREE Halloween experience. Community members and local organizations throughout the city of Columbia will meet on the grounds of Robert Mills House to pass out candy to local Columbia kids.
Awards and prizes for the best costumes and best decorated trunk/table will be given at 6:45 p.m. Don’t forget to check out the fun games and activities at the Robert Mills Carriage House!
Admission: FREE
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.
