Historic Columbia announces September 2024 events
September 3, 2024
Historic Columbia announced programming and events for September 2024. See the full list of September events below and be sure to leave room in your calendar to experience all Historic Columbia has to offer.
CALENDAR OF PROGRAMS & EVENTS:
Knowledge at Noon: Straight Out of Ridgewood
Wednesday, September 4 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Virtual
Join Shekeese Duvall for this month’s Knowledge at Noon: Straight out of Ridgewood. During this free virtual event, Duvall will share the history of his familial ties to the City of Columbia, including the Wheeler Hill neighborhood, and why that connection empowers his support and work with HC’s Jubilee: Festival of Black History and Culture.
Admission: FREE; register to receive meeting link.
Thursday, September 12 | 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
Join Historic Columbia and local birder John Tjaarda every second Thursday of the month for a free, guided bird walk around the gardens at the Hampton-Preston Mansion 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; space is limited and registration is required.
Thursday, September 12 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
Performers from the South Carolina Philharmonic will join Historic Columbia to present a beautiful concert of light classics in the gardens at the Hampton-Preston Mansion. Please plan to arrive any time after 5:00 p.m. The concert will begin at 6:00 p.m. and last an hour. Bring your own blanket or chairs and pack a picnic if you’d like. Tickets are required for this 21 & over event. A limited number of pre-sale tickets are available, with additional tickets sold at the gate in the event of favorable weather.
Admission: $20 General Admission
Free Sunday at the Robert Mills House
Sunday, September 15 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Robert Mills House | 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. The house will be open for attendees to tour at their own pace, and guides will be available to answer questions.
Admission: FREE for HC members and residents of Richland and Lexington counties with valid ID. All other adults are $12 and youth are $8.
Sunday, September 15 | 1:00 – 2:30 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.
Admission: $5 HC members, $10 non-members, youth 17 and under are FREE.
Jubilee: Festival of Black History and Culture
Saturday, September 21 | 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Mann-Simons Site | 1403 Richland Street
Join Historic Columbia for the 46th annual Jubilee: Festival of Black History and Culture. This is a FREE celebration everyone can enjoy and features live music and entertainment, artist demonstrations, and marketplace vendors selling a variety of wares, products, and art. Come hungry, because there will also be vendors selling food, non-alcoholic beverages, and beer and wine. The Kids Zone will be available with educational and family-friendly activities, presented in partnership with the Columbia (SC) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated. We can’t wait to see you there!
Admission: FREE!
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.
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.
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.
Robert Mills House & Gardens | 1616 Blanding Street
Wednesday – 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!
Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays | 1:00 – 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.
Seibels House & Gardens | 1601 Richland Street
Tuesday – Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Woodrow Wilson Family Home | 1405 Hampton 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.
