Historic Columbia announces November 2024 events
November 14, 2024
Historic Columbia announced programming and events for November 2024. See the full list of November events below and be sure to leave room in your calendar to experience all Historic Columbia has to offer.
CALENDAR OF PROGRAMS & EVENTS:
Thursday, November 14 through Sunday, January 5 | Times vary | Robert Mills House & Hampton-Preston Mansion | 1600 block of Blanding Street
Join Historic Columbia to see a variety of holiday decorations in both the Hampton-Preston Mansion and Robert Mills House, where tour guides will provide stories of holidays past in Columbia and discuss how families decorated and entertained during the 19th century. Don’t miss your opportunity to view artifacts and learn about holiday traditions involving Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year celebrations.
*Please check our website for holiday closures.
Admission: FREE for HC members, $18 for non-member adults, $15 for non-member youth.
Thursday, November 14 | 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
Renovation Rodeo | Kilbourne Park
Thursday, November 14 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. | Kilbourne Park neighborhood | Ticketholders will receive the property address the day prior to this event
Join Historic Columbia and Palladium to view a newly renovated home located in Kilbourne Park. Attendees of this Renovation Rodeo will have the unique chance to tour the home and learn about its history and renovation process. Enjoy light refreshments as you mingle with fellow preservation enthusiasts. This is a private event for Palladium members; tickets will not be made available to the general public.
Admission: FREE for Palladium members
Free Sunday at the Museum of the Reconstruction Era
Sunday, November 17 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | 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, visit the Museum of the Reconstruction Era. Self-guided tours are offered from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
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, November 17 | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Begins and ends at the Graduate Hotel | 1619 Pendleton Street
Join Historic Columbia for a stroll through the University Hill neighborhood, which features homes with a mix of architectural styles and designs from prominent regional and local architects. This portion of South Carolina’s capital city was listed as a Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 and is protected as an architectural neighborhood. The tour will last approximately 75 minutes and begin and end at The Graduate Hotel.
Admission: $5 HC members, $10 non-members, youth 17 and under are FREE.
Friday, December 6 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Robert Mills House & Hampton-Preston Mansion | 1600 block of Blanding Street
Join Historic Columbia for a special holiday evening touring the Hampton-Preston Mansion and Robert Mills House by candlelight. Learn about traditions of the past as musicians play selections from the 19th century. Tickets include entry to both house museums as well as free, takeaway crafts for both adults and children. Attendees will have exclusive access to Historic Columbia’s pop-up Holiday Shop featuring plants and small gifts that are perfect for friends and family.
Admission: FREE for HC youth members, $10 HC member adults, $8 non-member youth, $20 non-member adults
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.
*Please check our website for holiday closures.
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!
*Please check our website for holiday closures.
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.
