Historic Columbia announced December 2023 events
December 5, 2023
Historic Columbia is excited to announce programming and events for December 2023. See the full list of December events below and be sure to leave room in your calendar to experience all Historic Columbia has to offer.
CALENDAR OF PROGRAMS & EVENTS:
Columbia Canopy Project Launch Celebration
Friday, December 1 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Drew Wellness Center Park | 2101 Walker Solomon Way
Join Historic Columbia and Columbia Green on South Carolina Arbor Day as we celebrate the launch of the Columbia Canopy Project. The Columbia Canopy Project commemorates the leaders of historically marginalized communities and addresses the impacts of structural racism through neighborhood histories and memorial trees. This event will include a short program, wayside signage unveiling, and refreshments. Tickets: This event is FREE and open to the public.
Through Saturday, December 30 | 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. Tickets: FREE for HC members; $18 for non-member adults and $15 for non-member youth.
Candlelight Tours
Saturday, December 9 | 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 and our Holiday Vendor’s Market, as well as a children’s activity area with free takeaway crafts for your tree and home. Tickets: FREE for youth members 17 and under, and $10 for HC member adults; $20 for non-member adults and $8 for non-member youth.
Sunday, December 17 | 1:00 p.m. | Begins and ends at Boyd Plaza | 1515 Main Street
Join Historic Columbia for a stroll down Main Street. Participants will learn about the architecture and history of buildings along the 1300-1700 blocks of Main Street. The tour begins and ends at Boyd Plaza and will last approximately 75 minutes. Tickets: This tour is SOLD OUT.
Free Sunday at the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
Sunday, December 17| 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Modjeska Monteith Simkins House | 2025 Marion 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’s featured property is the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House. Tickets: FREE for HC members and residents of Richland and Lexington counties with valid ID; all others are $12 adults, $8 youth. May be paid on site.
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, 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.
Robert Mills House & Gardens | 1616 Blanding Street
From November 15 to December 30, tour the Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion as a part of our Holiday House Tours. Tickets for this combined tour are $18 for adults and $15 for youth 17 and under.
Wednesday – Saturday | 12:00 & 3:00 p.m.
Sunday | 1:00 & 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.
Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
From November 15 to December 30, tour the Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion as a part of our Holiday House Tours. Tickets for this combined tour are $18 for adults and $15 for youth 17 and under.
Wednesday – Saturday | 12:00 & 3:00 p.m.
Sunday | 1:00 & 3:00 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.
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!
Seibels House – 1601 Richland Street
Tuesday – Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Robert Mills – 1616 Blanding Street
Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Hampton-Preston – 1615 Blanding 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 Twitter, Facebook, Instagra
