Historic Columbia Foundation will present "People, Places, and Progress of Early Columbia, 1600- 1850," a six- part lecture series held each Tuesday from 6 pm to 7:30 pm September 16 to October 21, 2008. The lecture will be held in the Carriage House of the Robert Mills House, 1616 Blanding Street. The series also will include bus tours to various historic sites.

Dr. Warner M. Montgomery, local

historian and publisher of The Columbia

Star, is guest lecturer for the series. He will present engaging historical information about Columbia's unique past, while providing insight on early Columbia settlers, ethnic groups, established communities, and social history. Each lecture will focus on different aspects of Columbia's past:

1. September 16: Buffalo, Indians, Explorers, & Settlers The Fall Line and the rivers became natural transportation crossroads.

2. September 23: The Columbia Plan Columbia was the first planned city in the USA and the plan is still being followed. 3. September 30: First Families The first people came to farm, to set up a government, to establish businesses, and to raise their families.

4. October 7: First Churches Columbia became a place of religious tolerance, a city with many places of worship.

5. October 14: First Schools Columbia's founding fathers believed in education and established schools for their children.

6. October 21: The Columbia Canal

The grand scheme to connect Charleston with the west included the historic Columbia Canal.

• Lectures are $55 for non- members/$45 for members. • The lectures PLUS bus tours are $80 for non-members/$65 for members.

For reservations and questions, call 803.252.7742 ext. 29, or email at reservations@ historiccolumbia.org. For more information on Historic Columbia Foundation programs, visit www.HistoricColumbia.org.