Historic Columbia announces June 2024 events
June 3, 2024
Historic Columbia is excited to announce programming and events for June 2024. See the full list of June events below and be sure to leave room in your calendar to experience all Historic Columbia has to offer.
CALENDAR OF PROGRAMS & EVENTS:
Historic Columbia is proud to be a Blue Star Museum
Through September 2
Historic Columbia proudly participates in the Blue Star Museum program, which grants free admission to our Historic House Museums for active-duty military personnel and their immediate family. The Blue Star Museums program began on Armed Forces Day and ends on Labor Day.
Admission: FREE admission for active-duty military members and up to five family members, with valid ID. This program is not available to retired members of the military. Visit our website for full details.
Sunday, June 9 | 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. Participants will learn about the architecture and history of buildings along the 1300-1700 blocks of Main Street. As one of the oldest residential communities in Columbia, this architecturally blended neighborhood has continued to be shaped and defined by urban renewal and the University of South Carolina’s eastward expansion. The tour begins and ends at The Graduate Hotel and will last approximately 75 minutes.
Admission: $5 HC members, $10 non-members, youth 17 and under are FREE.
Thursday, June 13 | 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Hampton Street
Join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda every second Thursday of the month 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: This FREE event is at capacity for June.
Renovation Rodeo | Wales Garden
Thursday, June 13 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. | Ticketholders will receive the property address the day prior to this event
Join Historic Columbia to view a newly renovated home located in Wales Garden near Five Points. Renovation Rodeos are now offered exclusively for Historic Columbia’s Palladium members, and give attendees the unique chance to tour the site and learn about its history and renovation process. Light refreshments will be served. The exact address for the Renovation Rodeo will be emailed to all attendees on the day before the event, so please make sure to register with your current email address.
Admission: This event is at capacity.
Free Sunday at the Hampton-Preston Mansion
Sunday, June 16 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion | 1615 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 features the Hampton-Preston Mansion. Tours are 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. Please register 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.
Columbia Canopy Project Community Celebrations
Lower Waverly/MLK | Friday, June 21 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Martin Luther King, Jr. Park | 2300 Greene Street
Historic Waverly | Saturday, June 22 | 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. | St. Luke’s Episcopal Church | 1300 Pine Street
Join Historic Columbia and Columbia Green to celebrate the Columbia Canopy Project’s Community Celebrations in the Lower Waverly/MLK and Historic Waverly 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. These events will include brief remarks and a wayside signage unveiling. Light refreshments will be served.
Admission: FREE; registration is encouraged.
Robin’s Retirement Celebration
Tuesday, June 25 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Robert Mills House & Gardens | 1616 Blanding Street
Join Historic Columbia in celebrating the remarkable career of Executive Director Robin Waites. Special guest speakers will share stories and fond memories in honor of Robin’s impactful work over the past 22 years during a short program, with refreshments to follow. Don’t miss this opportunity to express your gratitude and well wishes to Robin as she embarks on her next chapter!
Admission: FREE; registration is encouraged.
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
