COLUMBIA, S.C., Monday, Feb. 26, 2018 – Spring is finally upon us, and March offers a variety of exciting events that are both fun and educational. From a Saturday Stroll of Five Points, to a Gardening Symposium on South Carolina’s Early Horticultural History, to an Easter Egg Hunt in the Gardens, Historic Columbia has something for everyone. The full March calendar of events is highlighted below. Visit HistoricColumbia.org for more information.
CALENDAR OF PROGRAMS & EVENTS:
Homeschool Friday: Columbia Women
Friday, March 2 | 10 – 11:30 a.m. | The Gift Shop at Robert Mills
To honor Women’s History Month, students will become familiar with several important women in Columbia’s history. From the founding of Columbia through modern times, women have had a significant impact on local history. Students will explore important women who have lived and worked in Columbia – from Mary Boykin Chestnut to Dr. Matilda Arabelle Evans. Homeschool Friday is $5/members, $6/non-members and $8/both members and non-members the day-of. The group will meet at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills, located at 1616 Blanding Street. Visit HistoricColumbia.org, call (803) 252-1770 x. 26 or email education@historiccolumbia.org to make reservations.
Saturday, March 3 | Five Points
Take a guided history tour of one of Columbia’s earliest planned suburbs at Historic Columbia’s Saturday Stroll through Five Points from 2 – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 3. Learn how Five Points became the first major commercial district in South Carolina located away from a town’s main street and retrace the footsteps of businessowners and patrons alike from 100 years ago. Explore how Five Points was utilized as a shopping district by its surrounding neighborhoods and how street car lines provided the catalyst for the areas explosive growth. The Second Sunday Stroll series has become so popular that Historic Columbia is expanding it to include a few Saturdays in 2018. Second Sunday and Saturday Strolls are presented by Seed Architecture and are free for Historic Columbia members and $8/adult and $5/youth for non-members. The tour will meet at the Five Points fountain. Space is limited. To purchase tickets, visit HistoricColumbia.org, call 803.252.1770 x 23 or email reservations@historiccolumbia.org.
Second Sunday Stroll | Jewish Sites Downtown
Sunday, March 11 | 2 – 3:30 p.m. | Tour begins at Michael’s on Main
Explore important local Jewish sites on Columbia’s Main Street with Historic Columbia on Sunday, March 11 during Second Sunday Stroll. This guided walking tour will highlight Columbia’s Jewish heritage and explore how Jewish merchants have shaped this downtown district. The tour will begin in front of Michael’s on Main Street, travel down to Lady Street where the tour will cross over to Assembly Street, then end at The Big Apple on Hampton Street. Second Sunday Stroll is presented by Seed Architecture and is free for members and $8/adult and $5/youth for non-members. The tour will meet at Michael’s on Main located at 1620 Main Street. Space is limited. To purchase tickets, visit HistoricColumbia.org, emailreservations@historiccolumbia.org or call (803) 252-1770 x 23.
Robert Mills House Volunteer Training
Monday, March 12 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Robert Mills Carriage House
Historic Columbia invites the public to help share the history of the Robert Mills House and become a volunteer tour guide of this important site. This training session will consist of a sample tour, an overview of the history of the site and broad topics related to the site. It will also cover a day in the life of a volunteer, logistics of giving tours and other opportunities at the site. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. Volunteer training is free, and volunteers receive a variety of Historic Columbia benefits. To register, visit HistoricColumbia.org, call (803) 252-1770 x 24 or email bkleinfelder@historiccolumbia.org.
Renovation Rodeo | Mid-Century Ranch
Thursday, March 15 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Historic Columbia's The Palladium Society invites guests to explore the renovations of a 1960s ranch-style home at the Renovation Rodeo tour on Thursday, March 15 from 6-7:30 p.m.Presented by Modern Exterminating, the Renovation Rodeo series takes guests on tours of old homes and buildings in the Columbia area that have been refurbished and renovated while staying true to the roots and history of the house. Enjoy light hors d'oeuvres as well as beer and wine during the event. Space is limited and reservations are required. The event is free for Palladium Society members and $15 for non-Palladium Society members. To purchase tickets, visit historiccolumbia.org, email lmojkowski@historiccolumbia.org or call (803) 252-7742 x 15.
Dollar Sunday | Robert Mills House & Gardens
Sunday, March 18 | 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. | 1616 Blanding Street
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 just $1 on Dollar Sunday! On Sunday, March 18, visit the Robert Mills House & Gardens, one of only five National Historic Landmarks within Columbia, and explore architecture and daily life in the 1820s in Columbia. The Robert Mills House exemplifies the skill of the first architect born and trained within the United States who designed some of the nation's most prominent buildings, including the Washington Monument.
Tours leave at the regular tour hours at 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. Purchase admission and meet for tours at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills located at 1616 Blanding Street. General admission prices apply to all other properties.
Gardening Symposium | South Carolina’s Early Horticultural History
Saturday, March 24 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Robert Mills Carriage House
Join Historic Columbia at their spring Gardening Symposium South Carolina’s Early Horticultural History from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 24. Starting in the early 19th century, South Carolina was a hotbed of horticultural experimentation and mastery. Many of the South’s most treasured and iconic plants were introduced into North American gardens through the work and passion of early South Carolinians. Learn about this exciting legacy and the current efforts underway to revitalize the Hampton-Preston gardens.
The symposium will feature a variety of sessions led by garden experts from across South Carolina, including Dr. James “Jim” Kibler, author of On Reclaiming a Southern Antebellum Garden Heritage: An Introduction to Pomaria Nurseries, 1840–1879, Tom Johnson, director of Magnolia Planation, and Historic Columbia’s staff horticulturists. In addition, plants propagated from Historic Columbia properties and products from Roses Unlimited, Rodger’s Heirlooms, Heathwood Hall and Mill Creek Greenhouses will be available for sale. An heirloom seed swap will take place during and after the workshops for attendees to participate in at their leisure. The Gardening Symposium will take place from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 at the Carriage House at Robert Mills. To learn more and register, visit HistoricColumbia.org, call (803) 252-1770 x. 23 or email reservations@historiccolumbia.org.
Easter Egg Hunt in the Gardens
Saturday, March 24 | 10 – 11:30 a.m. | Seibels House & Gardens
Enjoy Historic Columbia’s annual family-friendly Easter Egg Hunt in the Gardens from 10 – 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 24 at the Seibels House and Garden. Children will be able to search through our historic grounds and gardens for Easter eggs filled with goodies, take pictures with the Easter bunny, and learn how to dye eggs with natural dyes. Families will also be able to experience historic spring activities, including fun outdoor games like hoop and stick, graces and jump rope. The Easter egg hunt will begin at 10:20 a.m. Tickets are $3/youth and free for adults. To purchase tickets, visit HistoricColumbia.org, email reservations@historiccolumbia.org or call (803) 252-1770 x 23.
South Carolina’s African American Lawyers and their Legal Education
Wednesday, March 28 | 6-7 p.m. | University of South Carolina, School of Law, 1525 Senate St.
In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the University of South Carolina’s (USC) School of Law, join W. Lewis Burke, distinguished professor emeritus of USC School of Law and author, for a special talk about his recently published book, All for Civil Rights: Black Lawyers in South Carolina, 1868-1968. Through Burke’s study of life stories of lawyers and an examination of court processes and trials, he has uncovered a rich history of the long struggle to realize the promise of freedom, equal justice and civil rights in the Deep South. Burke will be signing copies of his book. Before or after the lecture, guests are invited to see a temporary exhibit on Richard Greener, the first African American professor at USC, serving during the Reconstruction Era from 1873 through 1877. The exhibit features Greener’s USC law diploma, South Carolina law license and variety of other artifacts. The exhibit will be open in the Legal History Room on the 2nd floor of the law library. This event is free to the public, but advanced registration is highly encouraged as space is limited. To register, visit HistoricColumbia.org, call (803) 252-1770 x 23 or email reservations@historiccolumbia.org. This event is co-sponsored by Historic Columbia, USC History Center, USC School of Law and the Center for Civil Rights History and Research.
HOUSE TOURS:
Historic House Museum Tours
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Sunday: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Historic Columbia’s historic house museum tours offer a peek into the past! Tour the Robert Mills House & Gardens, Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens, Mann-Simons Site or theWoodrow Wilson Family Home to learn more about Columbia's history. Tours are free for members, $8 for adults, $5 youth (ages 6-17) and free for children under 5. For a more detailed tour schedule, visit historiccolumbia.org.
Historic Columbia is happy to arrange a private guided tour groups of 10 or more with advance registration. Bus tours are available. To schedule a group tour, call 803.252.1770 x 23 or email reservations@historiccolumbia.org.
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 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 Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube for more details.
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