Historic Columbia, a non-profit that aims to preserve Columbia + Richland County’s history, has received approval from the City of Columbia’s Design/Development Review Commission to build a new state-of-the-art greenhouse.

The proposed greenhouse and gatehouse will be built on the Hampton-Preston Mansion property, located at 1615 Blanding St. The two new structures were designed by Lambert Architecture and Construction Services as reconstructions of the original buildings.

The mansion is over 200 years old and was known to be a prominent residence in the Columbia area under the Hampton + Preston families. Today it is owned by Richland County.

Funding for the project is projected to cost between $1.5-2 million and has been greatly supported by the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation – which is a long-time partner + supporter of Historic Columbia’s efforts.

Glass greenhouse | Rendering photos via @historiccolumbia

The glass greenhouse will be constructed on the northwest section of the historic property + will serve many purposes, from growing plants to providing storage. Additionally, it will include a section that will be used to conduct classes + host small groups to teach people how to propagate their own plants – a method of growing genetically identical new plants from the ones already planted.

The greenhouse will also feature an ‘interpretative space’ at its entrance that will reflect on the management and development of the property throughout the years, including information highlighting the enslaved labor that helped maintain the mansion in the 1800’s.

The gatehouse | Rendering photos via @historiccolumbia

The second structure, referred to as the gatehouse, is expected to be built in the southwest section along the Pickens St. wall, and will feature an octagonal exterior made of steel.

Construction is planned to be complete by the summer of 2021.