Historic Columbia November 2025 Events

November is a time for giving thanks, and Historic Columbia has plenty to be grateful for this season! Join us for programs, tours, and experiences that highlight the history and stories that make Columbia special.

PROGRAMS & EVENTS IN NOVEMBER:

Concert in the Gardens

Tuesday, November 4 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Boyd Foundation Horticultural Center at the Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street

Step inside the Boyd Foundation Horticultural Center for an intimate evening of music as a woodwind trio from the South Carolina Philharmonic fills the space with light classical melodies. Surrounded by the lush greenhouse setting, guests will enjoy a unique and immersive musical experience in a one-of-a-kind venue.

Admission: $20 HC members, $25 general admission

NOTE: This event is at capacity

 

Pints for Preservation

Thursday, November 6 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Steel Hands Vista Distilling and Brewing | 705A Gervais Street

Pints for Preservation is a new happy hour series set in unique, historic venues across Columbia. This month, join us at Steel Hands Vista Distilling and Brewing, located in Columbia’s Congaree Vista district! This series is presented by Palladium, with all proceeds benefiting Historic Columbia.

Admission: $20 Palladium members, $22 HC members, $25 general admission

 

Historic Holiday Tours

Wednesday, November 12 – Sunday, January 4 | Times vary | Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion | 1616 Blanding Street

Step back in time this holiday season with Historic Holiday Tours! Come on a guided tour of the Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion, each beautifully adorned for the season, and glimpse how Columbians of different eras celebrated. Enjoy stories of holiday gatherings, gift giving, and seasonal customs that connect past and present, and experience the magic and charm of the holidays, Historic Columbia style!

Admission: FREE HC members, $20 adult, $16 youth

 

Birdwatching in the Gardens

Thursday, November 13 | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens | 1615 Blanding Street

Historic Columbia’s “resident bird nerd” John Tjaarda will guide you around the Hampton-Preston Gardens to learn how to identify birds by sight, sound, and behavior. Bring your binoculars!

Admission: FREE; registration is required

 

Columbia Conversations | Woodrow Wilson and Reconstruction Era Columbia: Legacies for the 21st Century

Saturday, November 15 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Robert Mills Carriage House | 1616 Blanding Street

Historic Columbia’s Columbia Conversations features author Jennifer Whitmer Taylor exploring the history and legacy of Woodrow Wilson’s childhood home. Drawing from her book Rebirth, Taylor examines how the site has been transformed to highlight the Reconstruction era. After the discussion, attendees can join an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum of the Reconstruction Era.

Admission: FREE book talk, $5 behind-the-scenes tour

 

Congaree Vista Walking Tour

Sunday, November 16 | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Begins at First Responder Monument | 1101 Lincoln Street

Join Historic Columbia for a stroll through the Congaree Vista, a vibrant district of nearly 800 acres. Discover historic buildings along Gervais Street and learn about the people and businesses that shaped this former cotton warehouse and railroad hub during this 75-minute walking tour.

Admission: $5 HC members, $10 general admission, FREE youth 17 and under

 

Free Sunday at the Museum of the Reconstruction Era

Sunday, November 16 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | The Museum of the Reconstruction Era | 1705 Hampton Street

On the third Sunday of the month, come tour of one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for free thanks to Richland County, with support from Councilman Jason Branham! This month, visit the Museum of the Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home for a free, self-guided tour of South Carolina’s only remaining presidential site.

Admission: FREE; space is limited and admission is first come, first served.

 

COMING SOON: 

Main Street Walking Tour | Sunday, December 14 | 1515 Main Street

Free Sunday at the Mann-Simons Site | Sunday, December 21 | 1403 Richland Street

 

VISIT US: 

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 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 – Saturday | 1:30 p.m.
• Robert Mills House & Gardens | 1616 Blanding Street
  • Wednesday – Saturday | 12:00 
  • Sunday | 1:30 

 

PUBLIC GARDENS

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. Don’t hesitate to sprawl on the grass for a picnic lunch or enjoy a quiet moment by one of the tranquil fountains. Your four-legged friends are welcome, too!

• 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

Join Historic Columbia and become our partner in advocacy and education. Members help Historic Columbia preserve places and share complex stories from the past that connect us in the present and inspire our future. Your membership helps HC 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.