What Historic Columbia does

Historic Columbia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit historic preservation organization founded in 1960 in Columbia, South Carolina, formed originally to save the Robert Mills House from demolition. It manages six historic properties concentrated within Columbia's historic district — Robert Mills House, Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens, the Mann-Simons Site, the Museum of the Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home, the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House, and Seibels House and Garden — spanning approximately 14 acres of historic grounds. The organization maintains a 4,000+ object collection and a Garden Database of nearly 3,000 plant accessions, and operates the only museum in the United States dedicated to the Reconstruction Era.

The organization's core products are guided and self-guided house tours, neighborhood walking tours, garden tours, K–12 educational programs including field trips and traveling trunks, and venue rentals for weddings and corporate events. Programming is anchored by signature community events including the 48-year Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture, Birdwatching in the Gardens, Tree Trek, and Trunk or Treat. The customer base spans general-public visitors, tourists, school groups, paying members, and corporate venue renters, with pricing in the $5–$15 per-admission range and a subscription-style membership tier offering discounted admission and event access.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit mix: per-ticket tour admissions, annual memberships, venue rentals, event sponsorships, individual donations, and grants from private foundations (notably the Boyd Foundation, which has contributed over $1.5M over four years) and public partners (City of Columbia and Richland County, which own several of the managed properties). Marketing is conducted through a multi-channel approach including the organization's website, a 24,000-recipient email newsletter, Facebook (~24,100 followers), Instagram (~19,000 followers), YouTube, Flickr, media sponsorships, and on-site events. The organization is governed by a board of directors and led by Executive Director Robin Waites, who has been with Historic Columbia for 18 years.

Name

Historic Columbia

Legal name

Historic Columbia

Website

https://historiccolumbia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Historic Columbia is a nonprofit founded in 1960 that manages six historic house museums, gardens, and educational sites in Columbia, SC, offering tours, K-12 programs, community events, and venue rentals to visitors, school groups, and members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic Preservation and Cultural Heritage Services

NAICS

Museums (71211), Historical Sites (71212)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI)

Keywords

• Historic preservation services
• House museum tours
• Educational field trips
• Historic venue rentals
• Community heritage events

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Historic Columbia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that preserves and operates six historic house museums and 14 acres of gardens in Columbia, South Carolina, including the nation's only museum dedicated to the Reconstruction Era. The organization sells guided and self-guided house tours, neighborhood walking tours, garden tours, education programs (field trips and traveling trunks), venue rentals, and signature community events such as the Jubilee Festival of Black History & Culture. It also sustains a 4,000+ object collection, an online Garden Database with nearly 3,000 plant accessions, and an annual membership program.

Product overview

Historic Columbia is a historic preservation organization managing six historic house museums and gardens in Columbia, South Carolina. Its core offerings include house tours (Robert Mills House, Hampton-Preston Mansion, Mann-Simons Site, Museum of the Reconstruction Era, and Modjeska Monteith Simkins House), walking tours of various neighborhoods, and garden tours across 14 acres of historic landscapes. The organization also provides educational programs including field trips and traveling trunks, venue rentals for events, and hosts signature programs including the annual Jubilee Festival of Black History & Culture, Birdwatching in the Gardens, and Trunk or Treat. Additional services include a Garden Database with searchable plant records, membership program, preservation advocacy, and a research portfolio documenting local history and a 4,000+ object collection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• House Tours Guided and self-guided tours of historic house museums including Robert Mills House, Hampton-Preston Mansion, Mann-Simons Site, Museum of the Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home, and Modjeska Monteith Simkins House; offered to the general public for individual admission.
• Walking Tours Neighborhood walking tours exploring Main Street, University Hill, Hollywood-Rose Hill, Congaree Vista, Elmwood Park, and the BullStreet District, sold per-tour at $10 non-members / $5 members with free admission for youth 17 and under.
• Garden Tours Tours of Historic Columbia's six historic garden properties featuring heirloom plantings and historically inspired landscapes across 14 acres, including the searchable Garden Database.
• Birdwatching in the Gardens Monthly guided bird walks around the Hampton-Preston Gardens led by local birder John Tjaarda, free with required registration, offering opportunities to observe over 100 bird species.
• Group Tours Customized group experiences including bus tours, house museum tours, and walking tours for organized groups of visitors.
• Online Tours Virtual exploration of Columbia neighborhoods and districts accessible via computer or mobile device for remote audiences.
• African American History Tours Specialized tours focusing on African American history and heritage sites in Columbia, including the Mann-Simons Site and Modjeska Monteith Simkins House.
• Education Programs Educational offerings including field trips with house tours for students and traveling trunks that bring local history into classrooms across South Carolina.
• Venue Rentals Rental of historic gardens and venues including the Hampton-Preston Mansion gardens, Seibels House and Garden, Robert Mills Carriage House and Gardens, and Woodrow Wilson Family Home gardens for weddings, receptions, photoshoots, elopements, and corporate events.
• Membership Program Annual membership offering benefits including discounted admission, early access to events, and free admission to house museums for individuals and families.
• Plant Sales Seasonal plant sales offering heirloom flowers, shrubs, vegetables, and perennials grown in Historic Columbia's gardens, with spring and fall events open to the public.
• Garden Database Online searchable database with detailed information about nearly 3,000 plant accessions across all six historic properties, freely available for research and education.
• Preservation Services Historic preservation advocacy, preservation awards, and resources for building and property owners across the Midlands region.
• Research Portfolio Research projects, object collection management with 4,000+ items, and abandoned cultural property initiatives documenting Columbia history.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of ColumbiacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCity sponsor and partner supporting Historic Columbia's preservation efforts and operational activities. The site at Robert Mills House is owned by City of Columbia and managed by Historic Columbia.
• Richland County, SCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary governmental partner. Richland County owns Hampton-Preston Mansion, Museum of Reconstruction Era (Woodrow Wilson Family Home), and Mann-Simons Site. County provides Free Sunday programming for residents. Supports Jubilee festival.
• Discover South CarolinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState tourism partner promoting Historic Columbia as a destination to visitors statewide.
• Palmetto Garden ClubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in Holiday Greenery Sale and garden-related programming. Supports restoration and maintenance of historic gardens.
• Wideman-Davis DanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformed technical residency 'Migratuse Ataraxia' at Hampton-Preston Mansion in 2019, exploring use of historic spaces for contemporary dance.
• John Tjaarda (Birdwatching Guide)minorOthersLocal birder leading monthly Birdwatching in the Gardens program as 'Resident Bird Nerd'. Also Director of Development for The Big Red Barn Retreat.
• Riverbanks ZoominorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating in Jubilee festival with Animal Ambassador visits for Kids Zone.
• The Links (Columbia SC Chapter)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Jubilee Kids Zone. Organization supports volunteer power and sponsorship for the festival.
• Eco Lawn CareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal small business partner providing grounds maintenance using battery-operated equipment. Supports sustainable garden care practices.
• Grace Outdoor AdvertisingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor providing outdoor advertising for Jubilee festival.
• SCETVminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Reconstruction Era app development and beta testing for expanded digital interpretation.
• Women's Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched Columbia City of Women Initiative in 2019 to raise awareness of women's representation in public spaces.
• Columbia SC 63minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Ward One Organization and Historic Columbia on Palmetto Compress Warehouse exhibit.
• Slow Food ColumbiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership on promoting Ark of Taste crops in community gardens and local restaurants.
• Richland LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Seed Library initiative for promoting heirloom crops and organic agriculture.
• 1x1 Design (Architects)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject architects for Hampton-Preston rehabilitation.
• Lord Aeck Sargent (Architects)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject architects for Hampton-Preston rehabilitation.
• Mashburn and Hayhill (General Contractors)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractors for Hampton-Preston rehabilitation project.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/histcolumbia
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DiscoverHistory
• Facebookfacebook.com/HistoricColumbia
• Instagraminstagram.com/historiccolumbia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/historic-columbia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Historic Columbia