Columbia’s Historic Preservation Efforts Earn National Recognition with Esteemed Award

Columbia Celebrates Historic Columbia’s Recent National Recognition

Columbia, South Carolina – It’s a beautiful fall morning in Columbia, where the sun peeked through a mix of clouds earlier today, bringing temperatures up to a cozy 73°F. But the sunny vibes didn’t stop there; the city is also basking in the glow of exciting news from the world of historic preservation.

Historic Columbia Shines at National Level

Our very own Historic Columbia has recently been awarded the esteemed Trustees’ Award for Organizational Excellence by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This prestigious award is no small feat, recognizing the organization’s incredible journey from its narrow beginnings to becoming a leader in the preservation of both our built environment and the overlooked stories of people and places throughout history.

Founded back in 1961, Historic Columbia has grown its mission over the years. Today, they are committed to sharing the complex and layered history of Columbia and Richland County by advocating for historic preservation, launching innovative educational programs, and forging strategic partnerships.

A Heartfelt Dedication

Suzanne Brooks, the Executive Director of Historic Columbia, shared her enthusiasm: “This award is a testament to our dedicated team, partners, and community members who have supported our mission and shared their stories with us. We are honored to be recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and we remain committed to our vision of preserving the past to guide our future.”

Champions of Historical Significance

The Trustees’ Award for Organizational Excellence specifically highlights Historic Columbia’s successful stewardship of several historic treasures, including the Seibels House (dating back to 1796), the Hampton-Preston Mansion (from 1818), the Robert Mills House (from 1823), the Museum of the Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home (from 1871), the Mann-Simons Site (from 1883), and the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House (from 1895).

Over the past two decades, Historic Columbia has initiated some transformative rehabilitation and reinterpretation projects at these iconic locations. They’ve brought creativity into the mix with period-appropriate gardens and innovative installations such as ghost structures, which act as stand-ins for lost buildings. Additionally, they’ve hosted exhibitions that address important historical themes, tackling subjects like slavery, Reconstruction, and civil rights, ensuring that vital narratives are not forgotten.

Celebrating Number One in Preservation

The folks at Historic Columbia celebrated this grand achievement at a formal awards ceremony held during the 2024 PastForward National Preservation Conference in New Orleans. Accepting the award on behalf of Historic Columbia was the Director of Preservation, John Sherrer, who reminded everyone just how important it is to honor those who came before us.

This recognition is not just an accolade for Historic Columbia; it’s a recognition of the city’s broader commitment to honoring our past. The collective efforts of dedicated team members, volunteers, historians, and the community at large have all played pivotal roles in this journey towards excellence in preservation.

A Bright Future Ahead

With this award, Historic Columbia has renewed its commitment to all of us, vowing to keep sharing stories, preserving our heritage, and educating future generations about the rich tapestry of history that binds Columbia and Richland County together.

As the sun begins to set over our charming city and the temperature cools down to a low of 58°F tonight, we can bask in the warmth of pride, knowing that Columbia is home to such a passionate group dedicated to preserving our collective history.