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Robert Mills House and Gardens
1616 Blanding St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
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El
Review №1

Attended a wedding here outside. Nice grounds but lacking in facilities for an event. House is beautiful as are the gardens.

pe
Review №2

One of the highlights of visiting Columbia South Carolina. The house has a rich history involving Robert Mills, the architect of the house and most famous for designing the Washington monument. The guide was very informative and always asked if we had questions. Great Costomer service all around. The price for a guided tour is $10 a person and well worth it.

An
Review №3

This handsome, historic house and museum at 1616 Blanding Street in Columbia, South Carolina was built in 1823, preserved by the Historic Columbia Foundation and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1974.It was designed by South Carolina native architect Robert Mills, notable for not just one but two Washington monuments.Tours are offered regularly, providing insight into the history of the building and grounds reflecting the symmetrical Early Republic, Federalist architectural style.The backyard formal garden is a beautiful highlight of the visit, mirroring the graceful elegance of the antebellum era.

Ji
Review №4

Absolutely worth the time to tour this historic landmark when you come to Columbia, SC. The tour guides are extremely knowledgeable and friendly.

Li
Review №5

Lovely grounds and buildings, beautiful interior. Our guide was very knowledgeable and charming.

Su
Review №6

Very beautiful house! Classic example of architecture from famous architect, Robert Mills. He believes in absolute balance of features even if it meant adding a door with just bricks behind it! My tour guide, Margie, was excellent! The gardens are also spectacular! The roses in particular are thoughtfully chosen. Old roses from that time period that flourish in a warm climate; noisettes, chinas, teas. Some were classics like Old Blush and some were rare and unique. Altogether, an amazing experience!

Pa
Review №7

Fascinating! Robert Mills was a famous architect. He built this home though no one ever lived in it. Mills designed the Washington Monument. This house gives you a feel of life in the south in the early 1800s.

Yo
Review №8

The Easter Extravaganza was Awesome. My family and I enjoyed the fun and games and meeting the mayor and his beautiful wife the judge. We also enjoyed the snacks the vendors gave out. Overall great day this was our first time visiting and since this was their 9th annual celebration. We plan on making it next year.

Ch
Review №9

Great place for the family! Great tour guides! We took my family who is down from Omaha, Nebraska and they loved it! Thank you again...

Lu
Review №10

One can find great deals on a stay at the Mills House, located in the heart of old Charleston. When you count the cost of staying elsewhere and the accessibility of this historical establishment, theres little reason to stay elsewhere. We especially enjoyed visiting with friends on the outside patio at night. A very safe and beautiful location too.

Ji
Review №11

Great way to spend the day learning about Columbia and quality time with my mom.

Sh
Review №12

Keith Mearns, Director of Grounds, gave a wonderful presentation on the plants for each of The Historic Columbia properties.

Na
Review №13

We are members of Historic Columbia and have visited the Robert Mills home on several occasions. The lecture we had w last time was very informative. The site is immaculate and definitely reflective of a stately home with period furniture. Last summer I gave 8 passes to a group of friends while they were visiting Columbia. They were very impressed.

Gr
Review №14

Beautiful building with a fascinating history.

Ma
Review №15

We visited for $1 Sunday and got to tour the River Mills House! Our tour guide was very nice and informative!

An
Review №16

Very beautiful house

Re
Review №17

Went for the holiday tour which includes Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion. The holiday tours include the history of celebrating the holiday season in the Southern United States from the 1820s through the mid-Victorian Era (1850s). Both homes are decorated in the style of their respective time periods, although, the tours do not include the regular full home tours. To experience the entire tour including upper levels of the residences, plan to come back after the holiday season. I especially enjoyed the history of how celebrating the New Year holiday led to observing Christmas and exchanging gifts. For example, did you know that Christmas decorations that we use today are inspired by natural decorations brought in from a homes garden mixed with exotic fruits? I also appreciated how Historic Columbia integrated experiences of enslaved people at these and similar Southern properties. Learn these facts and more by participating in a holiday tour at the Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion!

Na
Review №18

Lots of history great to still be able to see it. Very nicely taken care of.

Ca
Review №19

Beautiful! Very nice tour guide as well. Very friendly and welcoming. Good people, beautiful place.

Mi
Review №20

The tour was perfect and the kids really learned a lot.

Ph
Review №21

Oh snap, the day I went to see this historic home it was closed. Im giving it 5 stars since the grounds were open to the public. I felt like a looky Lou peeking in the windows, but it fueled the imagination of what would possibly be inside. All in all a beautiful historic property and definitely a stop when Im back in Columbia...when its open of course.

Al
Review №22

We went for the citys Easter egg hunt. It was a pretty good time.

Ro
Review №23

Theres not that much to see. It works if you need to kill time for an hour or so. The gift store is small. Gardens are nice, with good seating areas, but they need better maintenance.

Ly
Review №24

Enjoyed oysters. Wish greater selection! Understand venue doesnt have alot of space but musical acts wouldve been great also hours. Closed too soon.

Ja
Review №25

History at its best in Columbia, SC. Although recently the docents arent friendly...and the tour feels prerecorded and not open to questions.

Je
Review №26

Very informative tour. Period-correct Christmas decorations were displayed, which added to the experience.

ma
Review №27

Customer service is amazing! They take the extra steps to make you feel welcomed while you tour history!

CE
Review №28

Beautiful historic property. Perfect place to get married or have an event.

J
Review №29

It was raining but it was still awesome. The guide was very knowledgeable.

Em
Review №30

Beautiful! And I learned so much from the staff, I definitely reccommend!

ma
Review №31

The mansions are a wonderful place to visit and learn about the history of Columbia. They always have family oriented events and the personal are very cotesious and helpful. Please make the time to visit, you wont regret it.

Wi
Review №32

Amazing history in downtown Columbia. This place is awesome for a brief visit or for a few hours. The guides are excellent. Add to that the fact that there are tons of events that happen on the grounds and the Robert Mills House is well worth a visit.

Vi
Review №33

Bobtailed down here to visit this home. Excellent break, friendly knowledgeable volunteers this place is well worth the visit

Vi
Review №34

Very interesting history. Very knowledgeable guide.

Cl
Review №35

Great tour! Our guide was very knowledgeable and the home was beautiful.

ER
Review №36

Tour guide was very nice and knowledgeable. House was beautiful for not having ever been lived in. Must see for all including historians like yours truly.

Ma
Review №37

Interesting place to visit.

Te
Review №38

Very nice. Loved the gardens!!

Jo
Review №39

Ok. Nothing spectacular. A little disappointing.

ty
Review №40

Was here for the oyster festival - nice setting.

CH
Review №41

Learned a lot about sc history and Robert mills

Ri
Review №42

Had a great tour. We took advantage when it was the $1 monthly choice. Very informative.

Le
Review №43

Very beautiful piece of Southern history.

Br
Review №44

Well keep grounds. Was here this day because there was a kids festival held here.

Am
Review №45

Steven was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable and made the tour enjoyable. The home is beautiful ly restored. Robert Mills was ahead of his time

Ke
Review №46

Our docent was knowledgable and engaging. The home was a very different look at Mills work.

Me
Review №47

What a fun festival! Everybody please come out and enjoy music,food and crafts.MK OriginalsNovember 20th 2016

De
Review №48

Being a Lifelong fan of HISTORICAL Settings, whether its Main Street in Columbia, or touring these Fabulous Homes, and envisioning the simplicity, yet behind the scenes of everyday life, inspired me MANY years ago to join The Historical Society of Columbia. My husband and I own a house in Brevard, NC, and have since 2002. What impressed me most was that they don’t destroy their heritage, the jump through hoops with Building Inspectors to try and preserve as much as possible of the way Brevard “grew up”. Our Historical Society is trying to do the same. There’s so much history in Columbia, that WE ALL need to contribute to preserve our Heritage for future Generations. DBH

Jo
Review №49

Beautiful landscape

Th
Review №50

The tour is very informative and the house is beautiful

Br
Review №51

Beautiful historic home. A very enjoyable experience!

St
Review №52

Very informative and interesting !

St
Review №53

These guys are fabulous at everything they do and the summer camp for kids further emphasized that. My daughter does summer day week camps all summer and has for years and this is the best weve ever seen. Super creative ideas and soo much fun in a beautifull setting. Not just a few activities and lots of freetime. Here the play is educational activities but such fun and great ones. Plus the counselors are fantastic... Laid back but organized. Highly highly recommend. Cant wait for next year!

Sw
Review №54

Very beautiful with an open atmosphere that is welcoming to everybody.

So
Review №55

Simply beautiful place. Great for weddings or romantic walks

Br
Review №56

The tour is pretty quick but still nice to go through

Br
Review №57

One of the most interesting structures in Columbia! Dont miss!

Ga
Review №58

Great History. African American community

Le
Review №59

The grounds are beautiful and well kept, the Historic Columbia event there was informative and fun

Sh
Review №60

Beautiful place for a wedding

Ki
Review №61

Very nice place.

El
Review №62

They host fun special events!

To
Review №63

Fascinating to history lesson from a first class guide.

Te
Review №64

Glad they keep it up

Ki
Review №65

Beautiful Historic Home...a must see!

Br
Review №66

This place was great the service was good the decor was excellent

Ny
Review №67

This place is beautiful in the spring time

Ja
Review №68

Great history

Al
Review №69

Fun at the oyster roast

Ro
Review №70

Just parked on the street.

Mi
Review №71

Great place

Be
Review №72

Lovely grounds

Ka
Review №73

Beautiful grounds and gardens.

Ne
Review №74

Historical & Beautiful

Lu
Review №75

Overpriced

be
Review №76

Lovely!

Ly
Review №77

Best historic house in Columbia

Ma
Review №78

Starting point for tours including several hour long tours of very large historic homes.

Ra
Review №79

Southern hospitality and history

Ma
Review №80

Worth the visit

Ch
Review №81

Interesting history and architecture from the 1800s.

Aa
Review №82

Beautiful grounds and friendly staff

An
Review №83

Beautiful Gardens!

Information
100 Photos
83 Comments
4.6 Rating
  • Address:1616 Blanding St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States
  • Site:http://historiccolumbia.org/
  • Phone:+1 803-252-1770
Categories
  • Historical landmark
  • Art museum
  • Botanical garden
  • Garden
  • Gift shop
  • Historical place
  • Historical society
  • Non-profit organization
  • Tourist attraction
Working hours
  • Monday:10am–4pm
  • Tuesday:10am–4pm
  • Wednesday:10am–4pm
  • Thursday:10am–4pm
  • Friday:10am–4pm
  • Saturday:1–5pm
  • Sunday:Closed
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
Amenities
  • Good for kids:Yes
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