HC to reopen gardens for public visitation
COLUMBIA, S.C. (June 9, 2020) – On June 16, Historic Columbia will reopen its gardens at Robert Mills House, Hampton-Preston Mansion and Seibels House for public visitation.
During this initial reopening phase, HC will have in place new measures and procedures that adhere to CDC guidelines to keep guests and staff safe. These include:
- Limited hours for each garden. Gardens at Seibels House (1601 Richland Street) will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Robert Mills (1616 Blanding Street) and Hampton-Preston (1615 Blanding Street) will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. The Hampton-Preston gardens also will be open Thursday evenings until 7 p.m.
- Reduced capacity. The maximum number of guests allowed at one time in the Seibels gardens will be 35, while up to 150 will be allowed in both Robert Mills and Hampton-Preston gardens.
- Groups. If visiting HC gardens in a group, the group must be limited to three or fewer (or 10 or fewer if from the same household) while maintaining distance of six feet or more from others.
- Garden routes. Guests will be encouraged to follow a loop around the gardens. Signage will be placed in each garden to direct visitors.
- Face coverings. Face coverings will be strongly encouraged – though not required – for garden visitors.
- Amenities. Guests are encouraged to bring their own seating. Restrooms will not be available to garden visitors at this time.
HC’s gardens have long offered beautiful and peaceful landscapes. Columbia locals and tourists are invited to enjoy the gardens for picnics, dog walks and recreation. As each site is designed to capture the authentic spirit of historic periods, visitors are encouraged to read signage throughout the grounds that details each garden’s history and transformation. Specific plant information can be found online in HC’s up-to-date garden database – https://www.
Further updates on Historic Columbia’s reopening will be posted to HistoricColumbia.org and through HC’s social media channels.
About Historic Columbia:
In November 1961, a small group of individuals intent on saving the Ainsley Hall House from demolition officially incorporated as the Historic Columbia Foundation. 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 Twitter, Facebook, Instagra
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