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CHARLESTON/MATTOON: COLES COUNTY
Charleston: Rich In Lincoln History, Family Fun, Fine Arts And Culture
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ich in Lincoln history and full of family fun, Charleston is a great getaway destination all year long. Whether visiting for pleasure or business, the city's atmosphere is a perfect blend of historic past, modern culture and progressive growth. Rich Lincoln history is part of Charleston’s charm. Charleston was established as the Coles County seat in the 1830s.
The Doudna Fine Arts Center is Eastern Illinois University’s newest architectural landmark, designed by the internationally famous architect Antoine Predock. This newly renovated and greatly expanded facility boasts several public arts venues: The Theatre, which seats 300; the Black Box studio theater; the 600-seat Dvorak Concert Hall; the 180-seat Recital Hall; the 150-seat Lecture Hall; and several corridor art galleries. The Doudna Fine Arts Center also houses EIU’s departments of Art, Music and Theatre Arts. For more information, visit www.eiu.edu/doudna. Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site Lincoln Log Cabin, operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, preserves the last home of Abraham Lincoln’s father and stepmother, Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln. Although Lincoln was a resident of Springfield by the time his father, Thomas, bought this last farm in 1837, he remained in frequent contact with his father and ex-
Enjoy the famous architecture of “Old Main� on the EIU campus.
The community grew with the arrival of the railroad system. In 1858, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas held one of their seven debates in Charleston. To commemorate this historic event, the community of Charleston completed the Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum in 2000 at the Coles County Fairgrounds. On the beautifully landscaped grounds of the Debate Museum, visitors can pose for a photo with the life-sized bronze sculptures of the candidates, watch a film that tells the story of the Charleston debate, explore interactive displays and even try on Lincoln’s boots and hat. Charleston is also home to Eastern Illinois University, which was founded in 1895 as a teacher’s college. Today, the university’s campus boasts stunning architecture, beautiful landscaping and excellent collegiate sports and fine arts performances.
www.amberoantiques.com
514 Sixth St.,Charleston, IL 61920 (217) 345-4400 cell: (202) 236-9914 info@amberoantiques.com Thurs. - Mon. from 10 a.m.
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2012 Discover Visitor & Vacation Guide To Central Illinois | PAGE 43