In this era of trying to do more with less, the Historic Columbia Foundation has come up with a neat idea. On the third Sunday of every month the foundation holds “Dollar Sunday”where admission to their three historic homes is just $1. This offer is good for residents of Richland and Lexington Counties. One other home, the Woodrow Wilson Family Home, is currently closed indefinitely for restoration. However, if you tour more than one house, regular general admission fees apply. The third Sunday this month is January 20. The three homes are:
The Hampton-Preston Mansion: Built in 1818, this is one of the oldest homes in Columbia. Home of General Wade Hampton I and his third wife, Mary Cantey Hampton and grandfather to General Wade Hampton III, this house has many items owned by the Hampton and Preston families. This home is located at 1615 Blanding Street across the street from:
The Robert Mills House: Built in 1823, the Robert Mills House was supposed to be the home of Ainsley Hall, a prominent merchant at the time, however, he died while the house was under construction. Subsequently, it served as an educational institution from the 1820s to the 1960s. First as the Columbia Theological Seminary until the 1920s, then as Westervelt Academy, a boarding school for missionary children and then as the Columbia Bible College, now known as Columbia International University.The house is furnished in period style but there is only one item that is connected to the Hall family. Ask your docent what it is!
The Mann-Simons Site: Located on the corner of Richland and Marion Streets, this house is of particular significance to the African-American community. Unlike the previous homes, which were or would have been homes to Columbia’s planter and merchant elite, the Mann-Simons Site was home to middle class families like tailors and seamstresses. Celia Mann, the namesake of the house, was a free black woman who made her way from Charleston to Columbia. Her family occupied this house from the 1800s to the 1970s.
Tours are offered from 1-5 p.m. with the last tour at 4 p.m.Tickets for all house tours may be purchased at the Museum Shop on the campus of the Robert Mills House at 1616 Blanding Street. For further information, please call 803-252-1770 ex 24 or email aposner@historiccolumbia.org
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