Historic Columbia announces March 2026 events
March 3, 2026
Explore Columbia in new and exciting ways with Historic Columbia as we offer a full slate of tours and programs this March.
PROGRAMS & EVENTS IN MARCH:
Sunday, March 8 | | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Begins and ends at Heathwood Park | 800 Abelia Road
Participants will learn about Heathwood’s distinctive architectural forms and the notable residents who once called this neighborhood home.
Admission: This program is sold out as of March 2
Thursday, March 12 | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
Historic Columbia’s “resident bird nerd” John Tjaarda will guide you around the Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion to learn how to identify birds by sight, sound, and behavior. Bring your binoculars!
Admission: FREE; registration is required
Thursday, March 12 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. | Ticketholders will receive the property address the day prior to this event
Explore an exciting adaptive reuse project in Cottontown where the owners converted a former church into a single-family home. Palladium members can learn about the site’s history and renovation while mingling with fellow preservation enthusiasts over light refreshments. Renovation Rodeos are exclusively offered as a perk of Palladium membership and are not open to the public.
Admission: This program is sold out as of March 2
Free Sunday at Hampton-Preston Mansion
Sunday, March 15 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
On the third Sunday of the month, come tour of one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for free thanks to support from Richland County! Come enjoy a semi-guided tour of the museum at 1:00, 2:00, or 3:00 p.m. Please see event page for full details.
Admission: FREE; space is limited and admission is first come, first served
Sunday, March 22 | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Begins at Boyd Plaza | 1515 Main Street
Explore the heart of the city on a 75-minute walking tour to learn about the architecture and history of the buildings along the 1300 – 1700 blocks of Main Street.
Admission: This program is sold out as of March 2, but you can book a private walking tour of Main Street at historiccolumbia.org/group-tours
Spring Plant Sale Member Pre-Sale
Begins Tuesday, March 24 | visit website for details
Historic Columbia members can take advantage of early online sales for our popular Spring Plant Sale. Join Historic Columbia at any level to gain access to this special advance sale. Plus, members have a private pick-up and shopping time on Thursday, April 9.
Tuesday, March 31 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
Musicians from the South Carolina Philharmonic present light classical melodies in the blooming Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion. Come enjoy this unique musical experience!
Admission: $20 HC members, $25 general admission
SAVE THE DATE:
Spring Plant Sale | Thursday, April 9 (members only); public sale Friday, April 10 & Saturday, April 11 | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens
A plant sale unlike any other! Rare and unique plants, many of which are propagated straight from our gardens, are available for purchase. Plus, our horticulture team hand selected heirloom fruits, veggies, and flowers to bring new life to your garden this year.
50 Forward Preservation Awards | Thursday, May 14 | The Laundry at Bull Street
Historic Columbia will celebrate fifty years of Preservation Awards in 2026 with a ceremony and gala honoring preservation excellence in Columbia and Richland County.
Palladium Tour | Life on Main Street | Sunday, June 7 | Downtown Columbia
More details coming soon!
VISIT US:
Historic Columbia’s historic house museum tours are free for HC members, $15 for adults, and $10 for youth ages 6–12 (Historic Holiday Tours are $20 for adults and $16 for youth). Discounts are available to active military, seniors, AAA members, and students, and must be requested at the time of purchase. Visitors may purchase tickets online or at the Welcome Center at Robert Mills, located at 1616 Blanding Street. All tours begin at the Welcome Center at Robert Mills.
- Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
- Wednesday – Saturday | 10:30 a.m. & 12:00 p.m.
- Sunday |1:30 & 3:00 p.m.
- Journey to Freedom: Mann-Simons Site and Modjeska Monteith Simkins House | 1403 Richland Street & 2025 Marion Street
- Wednesday – Sunday | 3:00 p.m.
- The Museum of Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home | 1705 Hampton Street
- Wednesday – Saturday | 1:30 p.m.
- Robert Mills House & Gardens | 1616 Blanding Street
- Wednesday – Saturday | 10:30 a.m. & 12:00 p.m.
- Sunday |1:30 & 3:00 p.m.
Historic Columbia’s 14 acres of landscapes in the heart of Robert Mills Historic District feature heirloom plantings popular with gardeners over the past two centuries. Entry to the gardens is free and includes interpretive signage to help bring history to life.
- Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
o Monday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
o Sunday | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Robert Mills House & Gardens | 1616 Blanding Street
o Monday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
o Sunday | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Seibels House & Gardens | 1601 Richland Street
- Monday – Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Woodrow Wilson Family Home | 1405 Hampton Street
o Monday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
o Sunday | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
BECOME A MEMBER:
Membership helps Historic Columbia create educational and entertaining historical programming that pulls people together and builds strong bonds within our community. Learn more about the perks of membership at historiccolumbia.org/membership.
ABOUT HISTORIC COLUMBIA
In November 1961, a small group of individuals intent on saving the Ainsley Hall House (now known as the Robert Mills 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 six 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, or YouTube for more details.
