Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Balancing Old and New

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026

1. Balancing Old and New Marker

Inscription.
Between 1964 and 1967, preservationists reversed decades of physical changes made to the Robert Mills House while retaining the building's original elements. To meet modern needs, they erected three architecturally sympathetic buildings—two "flanker" buildings and a carriage house like the one that stood on the property from the 1820s until 1936.

[Captions:]
Right
Historic Columbia Foundation trustee Jennie Clarkson Dreher and preservationist architect Albert K. Simmons review plans at the site in 1965.
Historic Columbia collection

Left
No portion of the mansion was left untouched during rehabilitation. Here, plasterers finish installing a ceiling medallion in November 1966.
Historic Columbia collection

Erected by Historic Columbia Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1966.

Location. 34° 0.559′ N, 81° 1.747′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. It can be reached from Blanding Street east of Pickens Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1616 Blanding St, Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Logical Design (a few steps from this marker); Grounded in History (a few steps from this marker); The Robert Mills Historic House and Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Hallowed Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); A Masterful Design (within shouting distance of this marker); Worth Preserving (within shouting distance of this marker); An Evolving Landscape (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Site of Winthrop College (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2026

2. Balancing Old and New Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 29 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 24, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.