Mann-Simons Site & Outdoor Museum

Mann-Simons Site & Outdoor Museum Although only one house stands today, the Mann-Simons Site historically was a collection of commercia His brother, John L.

Although only one house stands today, the Mann-Simons Site historically was a collection of commercial and domestic spaces owned and operated by the same African-American family from at least 1843 until 1970. The property and its multiple buildings changed considerably over time to better accommodate the needs, tastes, and aspirations of this remarkable family. Former slaves from Charleston, Celia

Mann, a midwife, and Ben Delane, a boatman, became the first generation of family members to live on the property and laid a social and material foundation that allowed successive generations to pursue a variety of businesses and social undertakings. Celia had four daughters, three of whom according to family history moved to Boston and “crossed the color line.” The remaining daughter, Agnes Jackson, stayed in Columbia, inheriting the estate. Married first to Thomas Jackson and later Bill Simons, Agnes had seven children. When she died in 1907, her son, Charles Simons, became head-of-household. Charles owned and worked at a small grocery store on the property until his death in 1933. Simons, ran a small lunch counter on the property from 1891 until 1909. Upon his death, Charles’ wife Amanda inherited the property. Following Amanda’s death in 1960, the estate was transferred to their adopted daughter Bernice Connors. In 1970, through eminent domain, the Columbia Housing Authority acquired the property, which led to a grassroots preservation movement that saved the main house, which opened as a museum in 1978. If you would like to learn more about the site and the archaeological excavations conducted on the property between 2005 and 2007, please visit mannsimons.com.

07/02/2019
06/19/2019

Two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, American slavery came to an end and a celebration of freedom was born

04/29/2019

The Untold Story of African American Entrepreneurship

02/25/2019

Victor H. Green established the "Negro Motorist Green Book" in 1936 with the aim of gathering and disseminating "facts and information connected with motoring, which the Negro Motorist can use and depend upon."

09/21/2018
09/19/2018

Join Historic Columbia and the Jubilee Gala Committee to celebrate 40 years of support for the Jubilee Festival and Mann-Simons Site! The evening will feature specialty food and cocktails as well as live music and performances.

09/18/2018

SHARE: FacebookTwitterLinkedinPinterestGoogle+tumblrEmail Vendors at last year’s Jubilee Festival. Photos courtesy of Historic Columbia. Saturday there will be a long-standing festival incorporating music, art, dance, and storytelling, all to celebrate black history and culture. Historic Columbia....

09/10/2018

Join me at 11am today on WIS TV ! Historic Columbia’s 40th annual Jubilee! is approaching and TiffanyJ performs! More info at www.jubileesc.org

08/22/2018
01/31/2018

In the fourth installment of “The Monuments Among Us” series (see Sara Porterfield’s post on Bears Ears here, Travis May’s discussion of British memorials here and Alessandra Link’s reflectio…

09/16/2017

Address

1403 Richland Street
Columbia, SC
29201

Telephone

+18032521770

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