Historic Columbia announces April 2024 events
April 1, 2024
Historic Columbia is excited to announce programming and events for April 2024. See the full list of April events below and be sure to leave room in your calendar to experience all Historic Columbia has to offer.
CALENDAR OF PROGRAMS & EVENTS:
Thursday, April 4 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Museum of the Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home | 1705 Hampton Street
Performers from the South Carolina Philharmonic will join Historic Columbia to present a beautiful concert of light classics in the gardens at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home. Please plan to arrive any time after 6:00 p.m. The concert will begin at 7:00 p.m. and last an hour. Bring your own blanket or chairs and pack a picnic if you’d like (alcohol is permitted). No food or beverage vendors will be on site. Tickets are required and space is limited. Please note that this event is for those 21 & over.
Admission: Advance purchase tickets are sold out. In the event of favorable weather, tickets will be on sale at the venue. General admission tickets are $20.
Palladium Tour | Landmarks and Landscapes
Sunday, April 7 | 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Wales Garden | 1800 block of Seneca Avenue
Join Historic Columbia and Palladium for this year’s self-guided, self-paced walking tour showcasing several residences in Wales Garden, a historic neighborhood known for its charm, tree-lined streets, and diverse architectural styles. After touring the homes and browsing Art in the Garden, a neighborhood stroll featuring various Columbia artists, Palladium Tour attendees will enjoy an after party with food, drinks, entertainment, and the southern hospitality that defines much of our community.
Admission: Advance purchase tickets are $35 for Palladium members, $40 for HC members, and $50 for non-members, through April 5. Day-of ticket sales will be $50 on the 1800 block of Seneca Avenue between 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Tickets include admission to the homes on the tour and the after party, including all food and beverages.
Thursday, April 11 | 3:00 – 6:30 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street | Members-Only Early Access
Friday, April 12 | 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
Saturday, April 13 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
Join Historic Columbia in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion for the 2024 Spring Plant Sale! One of two plant sales Historic Columbia holds every year, attendees will be able to purchase and learn about a wide array of plants propagated from the Living Collections at our historic sites. Many of the selections offered are integral to the stories we tell on our sites and are often rare or not offered elsewhere locally. New this season→ An impressive selection of heirloom edibles and annuals will be available for purchase! With certain rare plants having limited quantities, be sure to come during the Members-Only Early Access to grab your favorites before they sell out. Not yet a member? Sign up today to take advantage of this and many other benefits!
Admission: The Plant Sale is free and open to the public on Friday and Saturday, with Members-Only Early Access on Thursday.
Columbia Canopy Project Community Celebrations
Saturday, April 13 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. |Pinehurst Park | 2300 Pinehurst Road
Monday, April 15 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Hyatt Park |Lamar Street
Join Historic Columbia and Columbia Green to celebrate the Columbia Canopy Project’s Community Celebration in the Pinehurst and Hyatt Park / Keenan Terrace Communities. 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 brief remarks and a wayside signage unveiling.
Admission: FREE; registration is encouraged.
Birdwatching in the Gardens | Migration Season
Thursday, April 18 | 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
Species that we don’t normally see through South Carolina are making their way north to their breeding grounds, so we’ve added extra Birdwatching dates on April 18 and May 2! Join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda 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: FREE, but registration is required.
Thursday, April 18 | 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Craft & Draft | 2706 Devine Street
Like beer? Like Historic Columbia? We have the perfect event for you! You are invited to the The ART of Real Estate Karma Keg Social benefiting Historic Columbia at Craft and Draft on Thursday, April 18. The ART of Real Estate will provide free beer and all you have to do is show up, make any size donation to Historic Columbia, and enjoy great conversation.
Admission: FREE and open to the public.
Free Sunday at the Robert Mills House
Sunday, April 21 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Robert Mills House & Gardens | 1616 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 features the Robert Mills House. Tours will be semi-guided and offered at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m. Space is limited so guests will be registered on a first come first serve basis. Register for tours 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, paid at the Gift Shop.
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.
Robert Mills House & Gardens | 1616 Blanding Street
Wednesday – 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.
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.
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 & Gardens | 1601 Richland Street
Tuesday – Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 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.
Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Woodrow Wilson Family Home | 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 Facebook, Instagram, X, or YouTube for more details.
