Columbia Museum of Art

The Columbia Museum of Art is South Carolina's largest fine arts museum. The Museum's permanent collection consists of American and European fine and decorative art dating as far back as the 14th century to the present. The museum also hosts a variety of changing exhibitions. Meeting and reception spaces in the building can accommodate as few as 10 or as many as 1,000.

Main Street at Hampton Street
Call 803-799-2810, for more information. Or visit http://www.columbiamuseum.org/

Ebenezer Lutheran Church

Dedicated as Columbia's first Lutheran Church in 1830, the original church burned in 1865. A new sanctuary was rebuilt on the spot in 1870.

1301 Richland Street
Call 803-765-9430, for more information.

First Baptist Church

The First Baptist Church was the site of the first Secession Convention in December 17, 1860, which marked the beginning of the Civil War. The church was constructed in 1859 for a congregation dating from 1807. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

1306 Hampton Street
Call 803-256-4251, for more information.

First Presbyterian Church

The Presbyterians organized their first congregation in Columbia in 1795. The present building was constructed in 1853 and enlarged in 1925. The 188-foot steeple was once Columbia's tallest structure.

One of the few buildings to survive the burning of Columbia during the Civil War and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the United States.

1324 Marion Street
Call 803-799-9062, for more information.

Ladson Presbyterian Church

First organized as a Sunday School for African Americans by First Presbyterian in 1838, services were later conducted by the Rev. C.W. Ladson. A chapel was built in 1868 and rebuilt on the present site in 1896.

1720 Sumter Street
Call 803-765-9192, for more information.

Richland County Public Library

The Richland County Public Library serves Midlands citizens through its Main Library, nine branches and a bookmobile. The 242,000-square foot Main Library is located in Downtown Columbia on the corner of Assembly and Hampton Streets.

1431 Assembly Street
Call 803-799-9084, for more information.

St. Peter's Catholic Church

St. Peter's Catholic Church dates from 1906 and replaces the original structure built in 1824 and later destroyed by the fire. The architect of the State House, John Niersee, is buried in the church's graveyard.

1529 Assembly Street
Call 803-803-779-0036, for more information.

South Carolina State House

The State House, formed in 1855, was only half-finished when General Sherman bombarded Columbia in 1865. Today, the west and south walls are marked with bronze stars where the shells struck. In the fire that wiped out so much of the city, the State House escaped destruction, but the architect's plans were burned. As a result, the dome is not the one that was originally envisioned. The building, with its Corinthian granite columns, is one of the most beautiful state capitols in the U.S. The landscaped grounds hold memorial tablets and monuments; inside are portraits and statues.

Regularly scheduled tours and group tours are available. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the first Sunday of each month from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Main Street at Gervais Street
Call 803-734-2430, for more information.

Supreme Court of South Carolina

The Supreme Court of South Carolina provides guided 20 minute tours appropriate for 7th grade and above by appointment only. Tour includes the large courtroom downstairs where the Seal of the Supreme Court is displayed, the smaller courtroom upstairs, and the library. The courtrooms are not shown when court is in session. Free admission.

1231 Gervais Street
Call 803-734-1080, for more information.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral

For nearly two centuries Trinity Cathedral has played a key role in the Episcopal Church in South Carolina and in the life of the City of Columbia.

Built in 1846 as a reproduction of York-Minster Cathedral in England, this is the Cathedral Parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina. Seven governors and six bishops are buried here. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral offers daily tours. Please call the cathedral for a tour schedule. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1100 Sumter Street
Call 803-771-7300, for more information. Or visit http://www.trinityepiscopalcathedral.org/

Washington Street United Methodist Church

This historic church was founded in 1803 on the same site of the first church building in the new city of Columbia. The present building was completed in 1875 and replaced the one destroyed by the fire in the Civil War.

1401 Washington Street
Call 803-256-2417, for more information.