Charleston: Culture, History and Homecoming

Charleston is a suitable destination for people who want to combine their stay with events or are interested in cultural and historical topics. Homecoming, performances and historic places offer different highlights. When choosing your travel dates, you can decide whether to focus on a recurring event, a specific performance or a historical theme.

Homecoming as a reason to travel

The annual Homecoming 2.5K Run / Walk takes place around Charleston Square. The Rotary Pancake Breakfast is a Homecoming week tradition, served by the Charleston Rotarians during the parade. The week thus combines a run and walk event with a breakfast timed to coincide with the parade. If you would like to travel to Charleston for Homecoming, check the event dates and plan your stay for that week.

Performances and venues

The Doudna Fine Arts Center hosts performances by EIU students and faculty, regional school and community groups, and guest artists from across the country and around the world. If you plan to travel for a performance, choose your travel dates based on the specific program so the performance can take center stage in your schedule.

Dvorak Concert Hall has 568 seats and hosts major concerts, university events and performances for the community. The number of seats provides a specific indication of the venue’s size; event formats vary by occasion. When making your choice, you can therefore consider both the hall’s capacity and the type of event.

Historical topics in Charleston

Old Main was completed in 1899 and remains one of the institution’s best-known landmarks. Pemberton Hall is the oldest women’s residence hall in the state of Illinois and a historic landmark. The two places offer different historical perspectives: Old Main’s completion year is a notable point of reference, while Pemberton Hall is distinguished by its status as a women’s residence hall.

The Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum documents the 1858 Senate debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. It also includes an interactive hands-on area for children. This adds a political topic focused on a specific debate to the history of the buildings.

The Historic District at 6th and 7th Streets consists primarily of residential buildings dating from the 1850s to the mid-20th century that are classified as contributing buildings. Unlike a single landmark, the district encompasses several buildings and a longer period. The historical topics can also be distinguished chronologically: the Senate debates took place in 1858, Old Main was completed in 1899, and the district’s residential buildings date through the mid-20th century.

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