Historic Columbia announces February 2026 events
February 3, 2026
Come engage with local history at Historic Columbia! February has exciting programs like Pints for Preservation at Savage Craft Ale Works, a new guided walk exploring the trees of the Hampton-Preston Mansion’s lush gardens, and our first Birdwatching in the Gardens of 2026. Our historic house museums also offer great opportunities to learn more about the people and places that shaped Columbia’s history. Check out what’s happening this month at Historic Columbia.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS
Thursday, February 5 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Savage Craft Ale Works | 430 Center Street, West Columbia<
Grab a local craft brew, unwind with friends old and new, and learn a bit about the history that makes our city unique.
Admission: $20 Palladium members; $22 HC members; $25 general admission
Saturday, February 7 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion | 1615 Blanding Street
Tour Historic Columbia’s diverse tree collection in the lush gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion, with varieties ranging from South Carolina natives to exotic species rarely seen in cultivation.
Admission: $10 HC members; $15 general admission
Thursday, February 12 | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion | 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; please reserve a ticket in advance
Free Sunday at the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House
Sunday, February 15 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Modjeska Monteith Simkins House | 2025 Marion Street
Learn about Simkin’s pivotal role in the long civil rights movement as you explore the multimedia exhibit, “An Advocate of the People.” Free Sunday is made possible through the support of Richland County and councilman Jason Branham.
Admission: FREE; space is limited and admission is first come, first served
Camellia Love Exhibition and Sale
Saturday, February 21 | 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion | 1615 Blanding Street
Join HC and the Mid-Carolina Camellia Society for a day of workshops and demonstrations devoted to camellias. There will be great door prizes, a sale of hard-to-find varieties, and self-guided tours to peep some of HC’s rare camellias.
Admission: FREE
BullStreet District Walking Tour
Sunday, February 22 | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | The Mills Building | 2100 Bull Street
Delve into the rich history of the former main campus of the South Carolina State Hospital and view the exterior of some of the remaining historic buildings during this walking tour.
Admission: $5 HC members; $10 adult; FREE youth 17 and under<
SAVE THE DATE:
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. Accepting nominations through February 16!
VISIT US:
Historic Columbia’s historic house museum tours are free for HC members, $15 for adults, and $10 for youth ages 6–12. 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.
Sunday | 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
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Wednesday – Saturday | 1:30 p.m.
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Wednesday – Saturday | 12:00 p.m.
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Sunday | 1:30 p.m.
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Monday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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Sunday | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
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Monday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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Sunday | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
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Monday – Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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Monday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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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/
