Things to Do in Champaign, Illinois: A Ten Week Series, Week 8- Tour the University of Illinois
If you've ever set foot in Champaign-Urbana, chances are that you were on the University of Illinois campus at some point. It's kinda hard to miss.
But have you ever taken the time to learn about its history, tour the buildings, and visit the libraries and museums? If not, I suggest that you do! You might be surprised by what you discover...
For instance, did you know that during the construction of Memorial Stadium in the early half of the 1900s, a rainy season caused a bulldozer to sink into the football field? Apparently, it's still there.
Here's a fun fact: the undergraduate library was built two stories underground. Why? So that the building wouldn't cast a shadow on Morrow Plots, the oldest experimental corn field in the Western Hemisphere.
I could keep going, of course, but I don't want to give too much away! Anyone can take a guided tour of the campus, or you can make your own tour! A good place to start would be the Illini Union, and you'll certainly want to see the Quad and the Observatory built in 1896, you might enjoy checking out the Sousa Archives or the Spurlock Museum, perhaps the Arboretum and maybe end with dessert at the Krannert Center. Oh, the possibilities!
The University of Illinois website will have everything you need to start your journey!
Here's my complete list of Things to Do in Champaign. Check back next week for number 9!
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