The Columbia Star publisher reveals information about Columbia
Photo and story by John Dixon

Warner M. Montgomery discusses his lectures and tours of Columbia which began January 15, 2008.

The history of Columbia and its historic sites are close to Warner Montgomery's heart. His first interest in history came as a child when he learned from his uncle, John A. Montgomery, author of Columbia, South Carolina, History of a City, and his father W. Miller Montgomery, publisher of The Star Reporter.

This week, Montgomery, publisher of The Columbia Star, began sharing his love of history and his in depth research with the citizens of Columbia through a series of lectures at the Big Apple in downtown Columbia. The Big Apple began as a Jewish synagogue, later a dance club, and now it is rented out for special occasions.

The lecture series, which began Tuesday, January 15, will run for six weeks. Additionally there are three bus tours: Historic Homes, Historic Churches, and the Columbia Canal. Sites on the Historic Homes tour include the Seibels House (1796), Law Office (1800), Horry- Guignard (1813), Hampton- Preston Mansion (1818), Debruhl- Marshall (1820), Robert Mills House (1823), George Howe House (1830s), Kenner House (1830), and the Mann- Simons Cottage (1825/1840).

Guided tours include the Hampton- Preston Mansion, the Robert Mills House, and the Mann- Simons Cottage.

The tour of Columbia's first churches includes First Presbyterian (1795), Washington Street Methodist (1803- 1805), First Baptist (1809), Trinity Episcopal (1812), Hebrew Benevolent Society Cemetery (1822), St. Peter's Catholic (1824), Ebenezer Lutheran (1830), Bethel AME (1866), and Ladson Presbyterian (1868).

Guided tours will be conducted at First Presbyterian, Hebrew Benevolent Society Cemetery, and St. Peter's Catholic Church.

The final tour will be of the historic Columbia Canal.

Montgomery has a BA in history from USC and two masters degrees and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in comparative education. He has written several books on the history of Columbia such as Shandon Memories, Eau Claire Memories, and The History of the ColumbiaSchools, which is currently awaiting publication. He has traveled all over the world and has written and lectured about his experiences.

As a teacher and school administrator for many years, Montgomery loves to pass his knowledge and love of history on to new generations. Participants will learn about camels and mastodons in prehistoric Columbia, Desoto explored this area, and the first European settlers here were Germans?