We went by and inquired about a tour here and found some wonderful guides, more like a Columbia Concierge service. .When asking about the tours they told us about the weekly farmer's/craft market that was going on just a few blocks away. So we went to that first (which was fantastic) then came back and did 2 of the 4 tours available. .We have toured many historic homes all across the county and these were some of the best we have ever done. Well worth the time and affordable costs. The guides are also great representatives for the city full of history and southern charm..We have visited the city a number of times and wish we will have the ability to move here one day.
As Arizona residents, we found this tour to be extremely educational giving us much better insight into both the North and the South as far as the Civil War is concerned and the effects of the war economically and on the people in the community. We were very impressed with the knowledge of history of both the house and of the era as given to us by Walt, our tour guide. When you hear all the stories that belong to this mansion, and how it survived demolition, it is amazing to see such a wonderful restoration.
Mainly visited Columbia for Congaree NP, but we also joined volunteer docent-guided tours of several historic houses. Hampton-Preston Mansion is an excellent choice and probably the most interesting with the Robert Mills House being a close second. Recommend.
visited and enjoyed the information given by the docents.....had lived near and driven by this house for years and it was well worth learning the history behind it!
We enjoyed our visit to the Mansion. Quite a lot of hard work has gone into the restoration. The home is furnished with mostly period pieces. However, i was a bit disappointed in the lack of Hampton family furnishings. The docent was pleasant and knowledgable about the house. We also appreciated the exhibit about urban slavery in the basement of the house--a sad, sad piece of history. Hope some day they might add replicas of the former out buildings: kitchen, slave quarters, etc. on the large lovely grounds.There is another house across the street (where you purchase tickets) We did not have time for both houses.
Our docent, Heather, was very knowledgeable of the history of this beautiful house and it's occupants. Heather questioned us several times about odd period pieces and made the tour very interesting and interactive. Amazing that the exterior of this home was originally brick but was stuccoed to appear as blocks. Lovely symmetry in the architecture and furnished in the period, however not many of the original furnishings. Very interesting that the home was saved by nuns during the war. The tour is an hour but well worth a visit. Tickets are sold across the street at the gift shop. Plenty of shaded street parking on Blanding St on Sundays.
The place is wonderfully restored. The tour guide provides a relaxing yet insightful explanation of what is displayed as well as information how it relates to the history of the city.
Interesting history to the building and grounds. They also have a nice gift shop. At different times of the year the garden may look quite different.
Along with the Robert Mills home, it is great at christmas. They have a special tour during the holidays and depict how they lived back then in period costumes.
There are several historic houses in Columbia, and this is a nice one. The trouble is, most of the stately old mansions were destroyed and looted by Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman's troops in the burning of Columbia in the Civil War.