In celebration of Labor Day, students will take a walking tour through the historic Olympia Mill Village where they will learn history of working men and women of Columbia’s past. There still stands two former mills, Granby and Olympia, which are now used as apartment buildings. Granby Mill was built in 1897 and Olympia opened in 1899, at the time the largest cotton mill under one roof in the world. The men and women who worked in these mills resided in nearby homes that made up the mill village. The village had its own school, churches and YMCA.

All homeschool students are invited to participate in Historic Columbia’s Homeschool Friday programs on the first Friday of the month. Each month’s program is from 10 – 11:30 a.m. and includes hands-on activities while students learn and explore different themes and historic sites with Historic Columbia. Homeschool Friday programs are designed for students of elementary and middle school age levels. Homeschool Friday is open to families and homeschool groups of less than 10 students. For larger groups, we recommend arranging a separate visit to explore that month’s topic. Program participants should gather at 701 Whaley Street.