Enjoy our Heritage Through our Historic Sites & Museums!

Carbondale's travelers are fortunate that local residents have worked diligently to save historic sites and buildings ... both commercial and residential. Many are listed on both local and national registers and are important reminders of our past. Take the time to  browse through our list.  You'll want to make time to take the walking tour of Carbondale's nostalgic Towne Square and a drive through the West Walnut Street Historic District will clearly show the love and passion our residents have for the community's heritage.

Although there are many notable historic figures, the region's favorit Civil War era son is the General John A. Logan.  While it is certainly a solemn, sacred location, Carbondale's Woodlawn Cemetery is an important attraction because it was the location of the first memorial observance held in Illinois and probably the first held in the United States. Logan, in his role as the national commander for the Grand Army of the Republic and by his General Order # 11, created the first Memorial Day on May 30, 1868.  In April, two years prior, Logan spoke at the first observance in Woodlawn Cemetery. 

Take a day and take the museum tour!  There are five museums and you can add in a few historic sites to round out your experience. While many exhibits focus on the early times and people in the Southern Illinois region, others take you to far away places as you examine cultures from around the world.  Click below to learn more about our heritage.

Historic Sites

   
Museums