Robert Mills House, Columbia

The Robert Mills House is a testament to early 19th-century Classical Revival architecture, designed by the renowned architect Robert Mills. Originally known as the Ainsley Hall House, the mansion was intended to be an elegant townhome for Ainsley and Sarah Hall when construction began in 1823. However, the building never fulfilled this initial purpose. Instead, it served as the campus for various religious schools, including a Presbyterian theological seminary and Columbia Bible College, before falling into disuse.

By 1960, the Robert Mills House faced abandonment and was threatened with demolition, prompting a significant preservation effort. Historic preservation advocates rallied to save the architectural masterpiece, leading to the formation of Historic Columbia. Thanks to their efforts, the house was restored and transformed into a historic house museum. Today, it showcases period rooms and focus galleries that highlight decorative arts from the late 18th through the mid-19th centuries, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.

The gardens of the Robert Mills House add another layer of historical and botanical interest. Designed in a historically appropriate English Formal style, the gardens uniquely incorporate plant species native to the Eastern United States. Visitors can enjoy a variety of landscapes, from open, naturalistic spaces with large canopy trees to the meticulously maintained clipped hedges of formal parterres. The combination of historical design and native flora makes the gardens a notable feature of the site.