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Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens

Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens

One of Columbia's oldest remaining historic houses, the Hampton-Preston Mansion was home to many people for 150 years. The city residence of Columbia's Hampton and Preston elite planter-class families, this historic site featured gardens nationally renowned for their size and variety of plantings.

This classical revival mansion was constructed by Ainsley Hall, a successful Columbia merchant, in 1818. Wade Hampton I, a wealthy planter and War of 1812 general, soon purchased the house. At times his son, Wade Hampton II, and grandson, Confederate General Wade Hampton III, lived in the house, but the Preston family took ownership of the house. Union Major General John Logan used the houst as his headquarters during the Union occupation of Columbia in 1865.

The Hampton-Preston Mansion is part of Historic Columbia Foundation.

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