Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site — Attraction in West Columbia

Varner is great due to the historical significance it has to our area and retelling of said history, but I personally love it for the beauty it holds and event planning! In 2018 my husband, parents and I were planning my husband and my October wedding here. They were incredibly accommodating and surprisingly affordable! The century old trees, the lovely (and very well maintained) mansion (and the other houses as well), just the entirety of the grounds at varner, are magical. We were going to be given the ENTIRE day before hand to set up (most venues give you a few hours, if that), dang near free-range to do whatever regarding decorations (just no hurting the mansion-screws/nails, and nothing penetrating the lawn too deep as it IS a historic site and we could potentially damage artifacts). We were given the opportunity to have our engagement photos taken there, no charge. We were also allowed to rent one of the houses to stay in that night for a small fee, but could use it to get ready in day of the wedding (the house/cottage is VERY well taken care of, extremely cute!). Unfortunately a week before our wedding we had that week long torrential downpour and changed venues last minute. I can't say whether it would have been amazing day/night of, but everything leading up to our magical day was wonderful! Honestly you can't beat the views, its simply beautiful and photographs phenomenally! I know I'll treasure my engagement photos forever. I'd love to get back out there for some family photos including our new baby! 💕 Visiting is wonderful and you'll learn an incredible amount, but when it comes to event planning, 👌, top notch! If you're a bride (or groom, or related to either) check out varner for your events, or even just your photo sessions! You certainly won't regret it! If you're creative enough (or hire a great wedding planner) you can plan for an exquisite outdoor event and have wonderfully informative people in the office to help you out! (our engagement photo credit: Kris Pounds,...

We did the guided tour... awesomesauce! My kids loved this place! We were able to combine nature study, science and history all in one day! If you homeschool this is a must see field trip...we had the whole place to ourselves! I would love to see this place packed during the school year with homeschoolers of all ages! Even the gift shop was amazing I can't get my 13 year old to put down his jacks set! Thank you to the gentleman in the gift shop...so patience kind and friendly...my kids loved the Jacob's ladder as well...they have been trying to make them every since lol. Hands down the most educational gift shop I have every seen in my 15 years of traveling with the Marine corps and the kids....keep it up! I give this place 10 🌟...oh and the view for that front porch.... I can't help but wish you opened before sunset... I would drive back just to have a cup of coffee with the breath taking view of the pecan orchards.... I am so glad I added this to my Texas...

Beautiful historic location. The plantation house is gorgeous and so peaceful. We only did the self guided tour but definitely plan on doing the guided tour one day. There is a fee to get in but it is reasonable and totally worth it, even if you only visit once. They also put on events throughout the year during certain holidays. Watch out for mosquitos when you go because this last year was pretty bad and it was hard to enjoy walking the property with all of the mosquitos eating us up. So definitely bring lots of bug spray...