Site Highlight – Carthage College
When exploring Keys to Kenosha, make time for one of the city’s most scenic, inspiring, and influential destinations—Carthage College.
Perched directly on the shores of Lake Michigan, Carthage offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience breathtaking lakefront views while exploring a campus deeply woven into the fabric of the Kenosha community. During Keys to Kenosha, guests are invited to walk the grounds, step inside signature buildings, and discover why Carthage has become a vibrant center of learning, culture, and community life.
Explore Carthage’s Signature Spaces
Visitors will have the opportunity to tour a variety of campus buildings, each reflecting the college’s commitment to academics, wellness, creativity, and student life. Featured stops include:
- Campbell Student Union
- Clausen Center for World Business
- Fritsch Meditation Chapel
- Hedberg Library
- Johnson Arts Center
- Science Center
- Sibert Chapel
- Starbucks
- Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center
Together, these spaces showcase Carthage’s holistic approach to education—balancing academic rigor with creativity, wellness, and community connection.
A Rich History Rooted in Learning
Founded in 1847 by Lutheran pioneers in Hillsboro, Illinois, Carthage began as the Literary and Theological Institute of the Lutheran Church in the Far West. The college moved to Springfield in 1852, where a young Abraham Lincoln briefly served on the board of trustees for the institution that would evolve into Carthage.
After the Civil War, the college was reestablished in Carthage, Illinois, before making a bold move to Kenosha in 1962. The current lakeshore campus was intentionally designed to create a modern, connected learning environment that maximizes its remarkable setting along Lake Michigan.
Fun Fact
Visitors will notice a prominent Abraham Lincoln sculpture titled “A Learning Moment.” Sculpted by Michael Martino, the bronze monument depicts Lincoln seated beside John Hay, a Carthage alumnus who later became Lincoln’s private secretary and U.S. Secretary of State.
A Modern Campus Shaping Tomorrow
Today, Carthage serves nearly 3,000 students and continues to evolve while remaining grounded in its mission of providing a broad‑based liberal arts education. Over the decades, the campus has expanded to include:
- State‑of‑the‑art learning spaces
- Advanced science and health facilities
- Collaborative student hubs
- Modern residence halls
- Performance and athletic venues
Carthage’s impact extends far beyond academics. The college is a major economic driver and workforce pipeline for the region, preparing graduates in fields such as healthcare, business, education, and the sciences. Through partnerships with local schools, healthcare providers, nonprofits, and community organizations, Carthage helps strengthen Kenosha and create opportunities for future generations.
A Living Arboretum on the Lake
The Carthage campus is actually an Arboretum. The Alice Moody Chapin Arboretum is an 80‑acre living museum featuring lush green spaces, stately oaks, and an attached Audubon Cooperative Wildlife Sanctuary. These areas are open to the public for self‑guided walking tours during daylight hours.
Experience Carthage During Keys to Kenosha
Whether you’re drawn by the stunning views, the beautiful architecture, the rich history, or the chance to explore a place shaping the future of the region, Carthage College offers a memorable Keys to Kenosha experience.
Stroll the pathways, take in the lake breeze, explore the buildings, and discover why this remarkable campus continues to be one of Kenosha’s most treasured destinations.
