Columbia, SC Attractions - The Hampton - Preston Mansion
Located in downtown Columbia, SC, The Hampton - Preston Mansion was originally built by wealthy merchant Ainsley Hall and his wife Sara in 1818. The home's second owner, Wade Hampton, remodeled the house to reflect more of Greek Revival look. Hampton's third wife Mary made her mark on the estate by overseeing the installation of what would become a four acre garden that surrounded the home between 1830 and 1860.
Following Wade Hampton's death in 1835, his daughter Caroline and his Son-in-law John Preston doubled the home's size between 1848 and 1850. It was then established as a Union headquarters in 1865 and survived destruction thanks to the efforts of Sister Bapista Lynch, who begged Sherman to spare the home for use as a temporary convent. The family sold the home in 1873 due to financial issues.
Later the estate was home to several institutions as a further chapter it's storied past. It served as the College for Women from 1890 to 1915, Chicora College from 1915 to 1930, Westerveldt Academy from 1931 to 1935, and Columbia Bible College overflow housing from 1938 to 1946. Unfortunately the 4 acre gardens were bulldozed in 1947 and the 4 acre lot was subdivided and sold for various commercial use. After an extensive effort to rehabilitate the home, it was opened in 1970 as the centerpiece of the Midlands Tricentennial Exposition Center. It is now cared for by the Historic Columbia Foundation.
If you get the chance, it's well worth stopping by and taking a look at one of our historic homes here in Columbia, SC. Close to everything in downtown and easy to find, The Hampton - Preston Mansion should certainly be on your list of places to check out when you're in town.
The Hampton Preston Mansion is located at 1615 Blanding Street, just across the street from the Robert Mills House. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for military and seniors, $3 for youths aged 6 to 17, and free for kids 5 and under. Hours are 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 pm to 5 pm on Sunday.
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JL Boney, III - Columbia, SC Realtor - Russell and Jeffcoat Realtors
I specialize in Columbia, SC real estate and the surrounding areas, including Blythewood, SC, Kershaw County, Fairfield County, and Lexington, SC. If you are in the market to buy or sell a home in Columbia, SC or any of the surrounding areas, I would love the opportunity to speak with to see how I can help. Thanks for reading and feel free to contact me if I can be of service to you.
Office- 803-788-1450 Cell- 803-730-9601 Email- jlboney@russellandjeffcoat.com
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JL...
This is a fantastic series. You have really captured the attractions that separate Columbia from any other place in the country. I am looking forward to the next installment!
Hi JL
The home has a great history, thanks for sharing the information.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Hi JL-It is wonderful when old homes like this are restored. You have so much in SC. I am enjoying learning about it. You are doing a great job with it. Keep up the great work. Have a super Labor Day weekend. <SMILE>
JL...What a great old building. A lot of history in them there walls. If only they could talk.
JL ---you are doing a great job of familiarizing the Active Rainers and the world with what Columbia has to offer. Thanks.
Richard- It should be just around the corner my friend.
Lou- It really does, thanks for reading.
Sharon- I am lucky to have a lot to write about and feature around here.
Bill- I'm sure they would have a lot of stories to tell.
Liz- Thank you very much, I am enjoying writing about it all as well.
What a really unique history! It's a shame the gardens were lost, but the house looks amazing.
Great place to see in Columbia SC! I wanted to stop by and wish you a great holiday weekend and hope you get some time to enjoy it.
Erik- It really is a shame, I would love to have seen them when they were in their prime.
Laura- I did get some time to enjoy the weekend and I have a few more fun things to do today. Hope you are having a great holiday.
Hey JL, Before Ted and I left SC we went and toured this place, you're right the history was amazing as was the homes features. the tour guide Sharon was as nice could be and I told her I found this place via your blog.
Cynthia- I'm glad you got a chance to check this out before you had to head home. It really is a neat place and we are lucky enough to have several of these historic homes around the downtown area, I haven't had a chance to write about them all just yet.
JL, this was indeed a fantastic place to visit and I will put others on my list of must places to tour thanks to your blog. Here is photo I took outside the Preston Mansion.
I love wrought iron and this gate was spectacular!
It is a great looking gate, I will be sure and give you some more posts to let you know what else you need to see around here.