Chili cook-off, tours highlight Historic Columbia’s February calendar

An annual chili cook-off, a civil rights forum and Presidents Day tours of the Woodrow Wilson Family House highlight Historic Columbia’s February events calendar.

On Feb. 2, the Gift Shop at Robert Mills will play host to “Homeschool Friday: Columbia Civil Rights History,” a discussion about African-Americans who have made lasting impressions on Columbia. The event will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

On three dates beginning Feb. 6, Katharine Allen, research and archives manager at Historic Columbia, will explain how the organization uncovers new information about people, places and events during lunch and learn research roundtables. Roundtables, to be held from noon to 1 p.m., will also take place on Feb. 13 and Feb. 20.

On Feb. 19, the historic preservation organization will offer tours of the Woodrow Wilson home at 1705 Hampton St. The tours will explore how Wilson’s time in Columbia influenced his decisions as president.

Historic Columbia’s Palladium Society will sponsor its 20th annual chili cook-off on Feb. 24 at the Music Farm in the Vista. The fundraiser will pit local chili chefs in a competition for cash prizes.

There will be volunteer training on Feb. 12 for guides at the newly interpreted Mann-Simons Site, which will also offer $1 self-guided tours on Feb. 18. The site, located at 1403 Richland St., was home to members of the same African-American family for nearly 130 years.

In addition, Historic Columbia is accepting nominations for its 2018 Preservation Awards through Feb. 15.

For more information, including pricing, call 803-252-1770 or visit historiccolumbia.org.