Columbia, South Carolina – To celebrate National Historic Preservation Month, first observed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1973, Columbia’s Planning and Preservation teams are launching a number of hands-on initiatives this May. From lunch-room learning classes to neighborhood bike rides, every history enthusiast—or curious newcomer—will find something to explore the rich architectural tapestry of the city.
Starting on Wednesday, May 14, the Preservation staff will present a “Lunch + Learn: Protected or Not” at All Good Books on Harden Street. Over a brown-bag lunch or a local brew, attendees may unpack buzzwords including Conservation District, Landmark and Historic District from 12 until 1 p.m. Some famous structures have legal protections; why not others? What factors shape those decisions? Attendees will learn about Columbia’s protection policies; registration is recommended at this link to save your seat.
A few days later, on Saturday, May 17, the focus moves to Historic Melrose for a two-part seminar (10 a.m. to noon) on energy efficiency and window restoration. First up: a blower-door demonstration, guided by a trained weatherization professional, to show where your house might be leaking heat (and dollars). At the same time, a hands-on window-repair workshop will address the fundamentals of preserving original wood sashes—no sophisticated tools needed, only some elbow effort and sound counsel. With space limited to 20 people, early sign-ups on the same registration page are essential.
Then, on Sunday, May 18, dust off your helmet and ride with city personnel for three hours of Preservation Bike Ride over Cottontown, Earlewood and Elmwood. Beginning at 9 in the morning, you will cycle by recently renovated houses, look behind the scenes of ongoing construction projects, and share observations on sympathetic new constructions. The ride is restricted to 15 riders, so make sure to reserve your spot, ride, and helmet using the online form.
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At last, on Thursday, May 22, the Masonry Repointing Workshop in Cottontown welcomes brick-building owners (and aspiring masons) to acquire the skill of tuckpointing from a seasoned expert. All tools supplied on site by the Coalition of Columbia’s Historic Districts, you’ll have hands-on experience with mortar application, joint repair and fundamental maintenance procedures from 5 to 7 p.m. Once more, registration is needed and seating is limited to 15.
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These initiatives mark the beginning of the city’s month-long celebration of preservation heritage. To find more activities still in the works and to get a complete rundown of May’s calendar, go to columbiacompass.org/celebratemay or check the historic-preservation portal of the Planning & Development Department at planninganddevelopment.columbiasc.gov/historic-preservation/. Whether you are a longstanding resident or a newcomer eager to engage with Columbia’s history, there is plenty of chance to learn, discover, and assist protect the monuments that shape this community.
