WalkAlong with tour guides to explore the many facets of Columbia Town Center.  Facts and trivia will pepper the conversation on three routes.  All tours leave from the Columbia Archives office in the American City Building (10227 Wincopin Circle) in Columbia Town Center on Saturday, May 4 at 10 am.  Each tour will last approximately two hours.

Choose one of the following itineraries, each lead by an informative guide:

Tour 1 will look back at architect Frank Gehry’s early career and Rouse Company connections before setting off to view Merriweather Post Pavilion and the former Rouse headquarters -- his two major contributions to the Columbia landscape.  Get an idea of what Columbia means to Gehry and what having Gehry buildings means to Columbia.   

Tour 2 will venture to the softer side of Downtown.  A stroll around Lake Kittamaqundi will unveil Columbia’s skyline in a new light.  Kennedy Gardens, the new grove of cherry trees and plans for new ways to get around Lake Kittamaqundi highlight the design of Downtown as the best of town and country. 

Tour 3 will highlight Oakland Manor – the well-preserved 19th century mansion that has a long history that includes thoroughbred horses, Civil War militias, high society, hippie college kids and elegant weddings old and new -- not to mention Columbia artists Wes Yamaka and John Levering and Kittamaqundi Community Church.

The tours are free but registration is required and capped at 30 people per tour.  Register here or by contacting Columbia Archives at 410 715 6781 or Columbia.archives@columbiaassociation.org.  Registration ends on Monday, April 29, 2013.