Historic Columbia Announces March 2017 Events

COLUMBIA, S.C., Thursday, Feb. 23, 2016 – Historic Columbia has an exciting calendar of events taking place throughout the month of March – from a Preservation Workshop focusing on energy efficiency, to a Second Sunday Stroll of Jewish sites in downtown Columbia, to a Happy Hour celebration on St. Patrick’s Day, to a Garden Workshop highlighting South Carolina’s tropical plants. Visit historiccolumbia.org for a full list of events.

Historic Columbia’s Homeschool Friday program returns on Friday, March 3 from 10-11:30 a.m.

The capital city was chartered on March 22, 1786, before the city existed. Through a series of activities, students will examine how Columbia became the first planned state capital in the country, how the city developed during the past three centuries and how state government components were included from the beginning. Homeschool Friday is $5 for members, $6 for non-members and $8 for both members and non-members day-of. This Homeschool Friday will be held at the Robert Mills Carriage House located at 1616 Blanding Street. To make reservations, visit historiccolumbia.org, call (803) 252-1770 x. 26 or email [email protected].

Historic Columbia’s 2017 Preservation Workshop series, presented by Crawlspace Medic, will kick off on Saturday, March 4 with hands-on techniques that homeowners can use to increase the energy efficiency of historic homes. The workshop will feature a whole-house energy audit, including a blower door test. Attendees will see how equipment is assembled and used and will walk through the audit with featured climate control professionals. The workshop will also explore solutions to several problems usually found when doing an energy audit of a historic home or building, including some of the DIY items an average homeowner or renter can tackle to reduce monthly energy costs. Light refreshments will be provided. The workshop is $5 for members and $10 for non-members and will be held at the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House located at 2025 Marion Street. Space is limited and advanced registration is encouraged. To register, visit histroiccolumbia.org, emailreservations@historiccolumbia.org or call (803) 252-1770 x. 23.

Thursday, March 9 | 5:30 – 7 p.m. | Seibels House

Join Historic Columbia and the Central Carolina Community Foundation at Will University from 5:30 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 9. Instructed by an estate planning attorney and a financial advisor, this free, interactive workshop will address the importance of having a will. Participants will learn about preparing a will, common mistakes in setting up a will and how to find a professional that can help. Refreshments will be served. Will University will be held at the Seibels House located at 1601 Richland Street. The event is free of charge and is open to the public but advance registration is recommended. Space is limited. Register atyourfoundation.org/willu.

Explore important local Jewish sites on Columbia’s Main Street with Historic Columbia on Sunday, Feb. 12 during the monthly Second Sunday Stroll presented by Seed Architecture.  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 free for members and $8/adult and $5/youth for non-members. Space is limited. The tour will meet and begin at Michael’s on Main located at 1620 Main Street. To purchase tickets, visit historiccolumbia.org, emailreservations@historiccolumbia.org or call (803) 252-1770 x 23.

Historic Columbia’s Historic Happy Hour series, presented by The Landbank Lofts, returns for Leprechauns & Libations on Friday, March 17. Wear green, grab a friend and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, at this Irish-themed happy hour that will explore early Irish communities in Columbia. In addition, guests will learn about the breweries and saloons of Columbia’s past, which paved the way of today’s interest in Columbia’s craft beer market. The happy hour will feature a beer-themed “Pot of Gold” scavenger hunt with a variety of prizes, including tickets to St. Pat’s in Five Points. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. The event will be held at the Robert Mills House & Gardens located at 1616 Blanding Street. To purchase tickets, visithistoriccolumbia.org, email reservations@historiccolumbia.org or call (803) 252-1770 x 23.

Sunday, March 19 | 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 19, 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.

Join Historic Columbia on Saturday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to noon for a Garden Workshop and learn about a variety of hardy tropical plants. South Carolina’s subtropical climate and mild winters allow for an ever-increasing number of exotic, fascinating and surprising herbaceous tropical plants. This hands-on, garden workshop will be led by Eric Healy, owner of Healy Horticulture based in Florence, S.C. and former horticulturist with Moore Farms Botanical Garden in Lake City, S.C. Healy will profile many of his favorite plants and reveal the secrets to getting the plants to persist and thrive in your yard. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. The workshop will be held at the Seibels House located at 1601 Richland Street. Space is limited and advanced registration is encouraged. To register, visithistroiccolumbia.org, call (803) 252-1770 x. 23 or emailreservations@historiccolumbia.org.

Thursday, March 30, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Historic Columbia’s The Palladium Society invites guests to explore the renovations of a historic home in the Earlewood neighborhood at the Renovation Rodeo tour onThursday, March 30 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.

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 theRobert Mills House, Hampton-Preston Mansion, Mann-Simons Site or the Woodrow 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. Visithistoriccolumbia.org for more information.

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.

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.