Historic Columbia May 2026 Events
May 4, 2026
It is Preservation Month in the capital city and Historic Columbia celebrates local history and preservation! Keep reading to learn about our upcoming events, local historic preservation and history initiatives, and more.
CELEBRATING PRESERVATION MONTH:
Since 1976, Historic Columbia’s annual Preservation Awards have recognized excellent projects and the people behind them. Over the past fifty years, 206 different properties have been recognized for their work. Additionally, nearly one hundred local leaders—including architects, attorneys, elected officials, historians, and neighborhood associations—have been recognized for their contributions to preserving Columbia’s built environment. Throughout it all, Historic Columbia has remained a steadfast community partner, advising on, advocating for, and contributing to many of these successes.
In celebration of five decades of preservation excellence, Historic Columbia is hosting the 50 Forward Preservation Awards Gala on Thursday, May 14, at The Laundry at BullStreet. Presented by Mashburn Construction, this event is an opportunity to toast where we’ve been and where we are going in local historic preservation.
After this year’s awards ceremony and gala, the winners of the 2026 Preservation Awards will be announced. With nine winning projects, two preservation leadership recipients, and the introduction of a new award category, we hope you will help celebrate the winners later this month.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS:
Rescheduled from May 2! New Date: Saturday, May 9 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion | 1615 Blanding Street
Tour Historic Columbia’s diverse tree collection with varieties ranging from South Carolina natives to exotic species rarely seen in cultivation. Each seasonal Tree Trek features a different set of trees set in the lush landscape of the Hampton-Preston Mansion and Robert Mills House.
Admission: $10 HC members; $15 general admission
Hollywood-Rose Hill Walking Tour
Sunday, May 3 | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Tour starts at 216 South Gregg Street
From classic bungalows and distinctive mail-order kit homes to elaborate work by renowned Columbia architect J. Carroll Johnson, join us to explore the architecture and history of this early suburban community.
Admission: This event is sold out; get tickets for the next tour on June 28.
Concert in the Gardens
Tuesday, May 5 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
Performers from the South Carolina Philharmonic will join Historic Columbia for a Latin-inspired Cinco de Mayo concert in the gardens at the Hampton-Preston Mansion.
Admission: $20 HC members; $25 general admission. Pre-sale tickets are sold out. Additional tickets sold at the gate in the event of favorable weather.
Sunday, May 10 | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Tour starts at 1619 Pendleton Street
The expansion of USC has dramatically impacted University Hill, one of Columbia’s oldest residential communities. Learn more about this neighborhood on a 75-minute walking tour.
Admission: $5 HC members; $10 general admission; FREE youth 17 and under
Thursday, May 14 & May 28 | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion | 1615 Blanding Street
Historic Columbia’s “resident bird nerd” John Tjaarda and Assistant Horticulturalist Jake Armstrong 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
50 Forward Preservation Awards Gala
Thursday, May 14 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | The Laundry at Bull Street | 2046 Talley Street
Celebrate fifty years of Historic Columbia’s Preservation Awards with a gala honoring preservation excellence in Columbia and Richland County.
Admission: $50 general admission
Free Sunday at the Robert Mills House
Sunday, May 17 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Robert Mills House | 1616 Blanding Street
Free, semi-guided tours of the Robert Mills House are available at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Space is limited and is first come, first served. Get tickets at the Welcome Center, located on the east side of the property.
Admission: Free; space is limited and admission is first come, first served
Renovation Rodeo | Main Street District
Thursday, May 28 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. | Main Street
While the exact location remains a secret, we can share that this luxury penthouse apartment is located in a Preservation Award–winning building along Main Street. Become a Palladium member today to gain access to this free event.
Admission: Free for HC Palladium members only
Palladium Tour: Life on Main Street
Sunday, June 7 | times vary | Main Street District
Blending history, design, and downtown energy, Life on Main Street offers a fresh, city-centric twist on one of Palladium’s beloved events by opening doors to an exciting mix of private residences, short-term rentals, and dynamic commercial spaces along the 1500 block of Main Street.
Admission: $40 Palladium members; $50 HC members; $60 general admission
RECENT LOCAL HISTORY PROJECTS LAUNCHED:
Project Partners: Able South Carolina, with funding from South Carolina Humanities
The second phase of this compelling project further explores the lives of those individuals who were treated at the former South Carolina State Hospital, later known as the Bull Street campus of the Department of Mental Health. This phase of the research is an interactive, accessible booklet that Able SC refers to as, “a call to action to ensure that such history is never repeated, reinforcing the truth that every patient was, first and foremost, a person.”
History of the Cotton Mill District
Project Partners: Mill District Alliance, with funding from the Richland County Conservation Commission
For a century, United Way of the Midlands has been a fundraiser “for all the deserving causes in Columbia.” Long-form essays and oral histories—plus nostalgic photographs—accompanied multiple presentations given to United Way staff and community partners by lead researcher, Rebecca Woodruff.
History of United Way of the Midlands
Project Partners: United Way of the Midlands, with funding from Colonial Life
At Columbia’s southeastern edge, hundreds of surviving buildings from the Cotton Mill District reveal the city’s industrial past. The research completed by Historic Columbia takes shape as an online tour and new wayside signage throughout the neighborhood, designed to educate residents and visitors about a community that has played an integral role in the city and county’s history.
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
- Wednesday – Sunday | 1:30 p.m.
Robert Mills House & Gardens | 1616 Blanding Street
- Wednesday – Saturday | 12:00 p.m.
- Sunday | 1:30 p.m.
Historic Columbia’s 14 acres of landscapes in the heart of Robert Mills Historic District feature heirloom plantings popular with gardeners over the past two centuries. Entry to the gardens is free and includes interpretive signage to help bring history to life.
Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street
- Monday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Robert Mills House & Gardens | 1616 Blanding Street
- Monday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Seibels House & Gardens | 1601 Richland Street
- Monday – Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Woodrow Wilson Family Home | 1405 Hampton Street
- Monday – Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- 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/membership.
ABOUT HISTORIC COLUMBIA
In November 1961, a small group of individuals intent on saving the Ainsley Hall House (now known as the Robert Mills 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 six 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, or YouTube for more details
