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.
If there is one thing that I have learned in life, it's that it's not so much what you say, it's how you say it. The fact of the matter is that there are a million ways to say the same thing, but in the end there is always a best way to phrase a statement. So choose your words and they way you use them wisely.
If you're trying to get your point across, try splashing a little humor into your direct approach. You might be surprised as to how well this can work in your favor. It gives you the ability to say what needs to be said, without looking like a total jerk. This can be very beneficial as it's a known fact that very few people in this world like jerks.
No place in this business is your ability to phrase thing correctly more important than in a contract. There are too many phrases that can be left to interpretation by some wanna be lawyer trying to impress their clients for you to leave any room for doubt. That fact is that words can be twisted, so when you are writing anything extra into the contract, don't play around and arbitrarily toss out what you think sounds good. Take the time to really think it over, you and your clients will benefit from the extra 5 or 10 minutes to really come up with the best way to phrase requests, clauses, and addendum.
And speaking of wanna be lawyers attempting to impress their clients, you are not acting as an attorney. Put it in plain English rather than trying to use big words that you likely don't even understand. That way I don't have to call you to see what on Earth you are talking about before I present an offer to my clients. In the end an effort to make yourself look like a genius, usually does the exact opposite. Keep it clear and keep it simple and you will typically be just fine.
Columbia, SC Attractions - Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Home to more than 2,000 magnificent animals, the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens are a must see for anyone in the Columbia, SC area. The beautiful 170 acre site makes wonderful use of it's surroundings and features natural habitat exhibits, scenic river views and walking paths, inspiring valley overlooks, and some fascinating historic sites.
For more than 30 years, Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens have offered a wonderful place for families, individuals, and groups to connect with and learn about the world's wildlife. Twice awarded the Governor's Cup for South Carolina's most outstanding tourist attraction, Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a crown jewel for recreation and education in the Southeast.
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden plays host to visitors from all across the country and the world. It's exhibit lined paths invite visitors to stroll through at their on pace embarking on a journey to see some of the world's most wondrousanimals. Stop in the bird house to see the penguin exhibit and natural habitats full of various birds from African and Asian rain forests. Or stop in the Gorilla exhibit to see these massive and magnificent creatures on display and don't forget to stop in the state of the art aquarium that feature bright, colorful saltwater fish as well as a host of various reptiles to entertain your interest and curiosity.
Just one trip and you will be hooked by this awe striking place and it's glory. It has been one of my favorite places in Columbia, SC since I was a child, but you certainly don't have to be a kid to enjoy all it has to offer. All you have to do is pass through the entrance and you will feel like a child again as you can't help but feel taken in by all the beauty that surrounds you.
As if the animals themselves are not enough to make you want to come visit the Zoo, the botanical gardens are an attraction all their own. This 70 acre site boasts tons of eye catching color and beauty from thousands of blooms and is actually several gardens in one. With multitudes of lush, green shrubs and bushes to blooms of all shapes, sizes, and colors, you'll immediately fall in love with this area of Riverbanks.
The backside of the Botanical Gardens has a walking trail that winds it's way along the Broad River and allows visitors to hike to and from the gardens. With fountains in the middle and plants from all across the globe, this is an excellent place to learn and see some nature's greatest creations. Fountains within the garden aid the serene experience and give the sound of running water to complete the spectrum of senses touched by this fascinating place. A perfect way to cap off or begin your visit to Riverbanks.
In case you are still not completely convinced that this wonderful display of nature is a great place to visit, then let me explain that Riverbanks Zoo and Garden also plays host to several important historical sites. Located on the nature trails near the botanical gardens, each one has it's own significance for both Columbia's and the nations history.
In February of 1865 Confederate Soldiers burned down the Old State Road Bridge, a covered bridge that crossed the Saluda River, in an attempt to keep Sherman's army from entering the city of Columbia, SC. The abutments and supporting piers can be seen from the the Saluda River foot bridge, the bridge that connects the zoo to the botanical gardens. Sherman ordered his men to construct a temporary floating bridge to cross the river, and it is believed that the lumber came from the old Saluda Mill. Of course, the rest is well known history.
Camp Sorghum, located on the garden side of the river below the old state road, and was a confederate prisoner of war camp. Established in 1864, it consisted of a 5 acre open field with no walls, fences, buildings, or facilities. Instead wooden boards placed 10 feet within the boundary presented the deadline for the camp and escapes were common. By the end of 1864, a reported 1,300 Union solders were held in the camp before being moved to the Columbia Mental Hospital and then North Carolina upon word of the Federal approach. The camp received it's name from cornmeal and sorghum molasses that made up a staple of diet.
Also located along the river on the garden side is the ruins of the Saluda Factory District. One of the oldest and largest textile mills in the state, during the Antebellum Period, it was made from local granite and completed around 1830. During the Civil War it was used to produce cloth for Confederate Uniforms and is surrounded by other buildings. Though burned by Federal Troops, the ruins are still visible on the Woodlands Walk.
These are only a few examples of sites that make up the historical significance of Riverbanks Zoo and it's surrounding grounds. It's easy to spend an entire day here, so come early and plan to be here for a while attempting to discover it's many wonders. If you get tired, there are tons of benches to help take a load off and watch the animals nearest to you at the time. There is a playground for the children as well as a Mari go round near the Saluda River Foot Bridge.
There are plenty of places throughout that you can grab a beverage, especially if you visit during the hot days of Summer. The temperature can stretch a little high here during certain times of the year, another reason to come early. There are even a couple of sit down spots like the Kenya Cafe if you need some lunch to recharge the batteries before continuing to embark on your journey through this magnificent Zoo.
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden also plays host to several special events throughout the year. In Summer there is the Brew at the Zoo, which gives people the opportunity to sample great beer and wine while walking the grounds. This one of course is an after hours event and require separate tickets. There is also the Boo at the Zoo for the kids in October near Halloween. Parents and children are invited to come tour the zoo at night in full costume for tons of fun. And of course there is the famous Light Before Christmas which displays millions of lights for visitor to marvel at while touring the ground in the evening.
Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located at 500 Wildlife Parkway off of the Greystone exit of I-26. Riverbanks is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. Adult tickets are $9.75, children 3-12 $7.25, and seniors and military are $8.50. Special hours and prices for other events. For more info visit www.rivierbanks.org.
Columbia, SC Attractions - The Robert Mills House and Garden
Located in downtown Columbia, SC, The Robert Mills House is one of only five National Historic Landmarks in Columbia.Designed by Robert Mills, the first architect born and trained in the United States, he was also the first Federal architect and served under seven presidents. The Mansion is one of the few residential designs in his portfolio which includes some of the most prominent buildings in the country as well as the Washington Monument in our nation's capital.
Englishmen Ainsley Hall and his wife Sara from lower Richland, hired Mills to design this stunning classic revival townhouse in 1823. Unfortunately prior to the completion of the home, Ainsley Hall passed away near Virginia on a trip to visit Sara. He left a contested estate due to an outdated will in which he left Sara the Mansion across the street from the Robert Mills House, their previous home which he had already sold.
Sara Hall eventually sold the home to The Presbyterian Synod of South Carolina and Georgia and they established the mansion as a seminary in 1831. Several of the most influential pastors of the Presbyterian Church taught at the seminary. George Howe, SR, who was instrumental in the founding of the institution, Dr. Joseph R. Wilson, Woodrow Wilson's Father, and Dr. James Woodrow, the future president's Uncle to name a few. In 1927 the Columbia Theological Seminary mover to Decatur, Georgia and the mansion served as the Westerveldt Academy and then the Columbia Bible College, which is still in Columbia today, until 1960.
In 1960 the Robert Mills House was slated for demolition and was prepared to be torn down.A grass roots movement by local Columbians was started in order to save this priceless piece of American history. What came to be known as the Historic Columbia Foundation eventually succeeded is saving the home from destruction. After extensive renovation effort to return this beautiful home to it's former glory and grander, it was opened to the public as a historical house museum in 1967.
Now thanks to the efforts of this wonderful foundation, the mansion which never really served as it's intended use of a home, is now open for all to see. Surrounded by old Oak Trees, sprawling green lawns, and with a 100 year old Magnolia on the back lawn, the grounds of the Robert Mills House are a sight to behold themselves. The garden with it's pebbled walkways, well manicured shrubs, and blooming flowers invite guests to stroll through or have a seat on one of the benches and soak in it's natural beauty.
So if you're visiting Columbia, SC, or if you're already here and have yet to take the opportunity to come see this lovely piece of history, I implore you to take the time to pay the Robert Mills House a visit. Even if you're not a history buff, there is something powerful about taking a walk through time as you stroll the tour of this fascinating home and garden. It is well worth the visit.
The Robert Mills House and Garden is located at 1616 Blanding Street in downtown Columbia, SC. It is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm with the last tour at 3 pm. And on Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm with the last tour at 4 pm. Tours are every hour on the hour and take from 45 minutes to an hour to complete.
Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, College Students, and active Military. $3 for youths age 6 to 17 and free children 5 and under.
Columbia, SC Restaurants - Cafe Strudel
If you're looking for a great place in Columbia, SC to enjoy some great breakfast, brunch, or lunch, then you don't need to look any further than Cafe Strudel. Just across the Gervais Street Bridge on State Street in West Columbia, Cafe Strudel offers wonderful food in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. From the brick walls on the interior, to the original artwork for sale draped across the walls throughout, this is a fantastic place to enjoy some great local eats.
Their breakfast and brunch entrees range from crab cakes on top of Hawaiian rolls with hash browns and over easy eggs. to a more traditional pancakes and sausage. There's a little something for everyone, no matter your taste. They also have some fantastic steaks, burgers, and sandwiches in case you're not in the mood for breakfast consumables.
Just in case you're not really in the mood to eat at all and you just want a cool place to hang out for a while, Cafe Strudel also offers some great adult beverages at the bar. With great imports like Lion Stout and Smutty Nose, and all the regulars on top and available, you're sure to find something that's to your liking.
Cafe Strudel is located at 118 State Street in West Columbia just next to the New Brookland Tavern. Monday through Wednesday thay are open from 8:30 am to 4:00 PM. Thursday Through Saturday they are open from 8:30 am to 11 pm and have live music in the evening. And they are open from 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday. So next chance you get to stop in for some great food and some great times, visit Cafe Strudel and have a blast.
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No matter what your needs are in the Columbia real estate market, I've got you covered. In a world of uncertainty, it's good to find a little sanity. Visit www.JLBoney.com.
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