Charleston House

09/16/2026

Congratulations Joshua Craig! Well deserved!

09/15/2026

09/09/2026

A Little Taste of Charleston House to Take Home.

These Harney & Sons tea blends and Spode teacups may look familiar to those who have joined us for Afternoon Tea at the Charleston House.

Well, now you can bring a little bit of that experience home with you.

The Charleston House now offers a limited selection of Harney & Sons teas for purchase.

Our initial supply is limited, but if there is another Harney & Sons blend you would like, we would be delighted to assist with a special order. Your tea can be delivered to and picked up at the Charleston House.

There is also a rather lovely connection between Harney & Sons and the Charleston House.

Harney & Sons founder John Harney was the proprietor of the White Hart Inn in Salisbury, Connecticut, where his passion for fine tea began. He eventually began offering his carefully selected teas to guests of the inn.
Today, those same traditions continue in a small way here at the Charleston House.

I’m especially delighted to serve Harney & Sons because their story reminds me of something I believe deeply:

An inn is about much more than a place to sleep.

It is about gathering around a table.

It is about conversation.

It is about hospitality.

It is about experiences.

From the White Hart Inn to the Charleston House, small inns continue to create meaningful experiences through hospitality.

With each guest, each conversation, and with each cup of tea.

Hospitality is an art—and not every lodging establishment is an artist.

The Charleston House continues to be overwhelmingly grateful and thankful to be here in Charleston, in Coles County, and in Illinois.

Thank you for allowing us to continue creating these little moments of hospitality, one guest and one cup of tea at a time.

Joshua C

Organic Ginger Lemon is stocked at the Charleston House in sachets. (20 sachets per tin) $9.45 before tax.

Mango Black is now available at the Charleston House in 4oz loose leaf tea tins. (Makes 30-40 cups) $11.00 before tax.

09/03/2026

August at the Charleston House — A Month of Hospitality & Gratitude

To summarize August as a business owner, I can simply say: what a grateful and busy month!

We began the month with a private Afternoon Tea birthday celebration for Susan, thoughtfully arranged by her daughters and granddaughters. What wonderful memories!

Because more than eight guests were attending, the Charleston House was delighted to host this special celebration outside of our normal Friday and Saturday Afternoon Tea times. It was such a pleasure to make the occasion a little more personal and memorable.

Our Friday and Saturday Afternoon Teas continued by preparing plenty of delicate finger sandwiches, delicious scones, and, of course, pots of fine tea. There is something wonderfully special about slowing down and enjoying an afternoon together.

Mid-month brought another favorite part of our year — welcoming new and returning families to the Charleston House as they helped their EIU students begin another successful semester at Eastern Illinois University.

And to close out the month, I had the pleasure of celebrating a beautiful bride-to-be by hosting a bridal shower. Everything came together beautifully, and it was such an honor to help create a memorable afternoon for the bride and her family and friends.

August reminded me once again why I love hospitality.

The Charleston House is so thankful to offer a personalized and authentic hospitality excellence not only to Charleston, but to Coles County and our surrounding communities.

As a business owner, I am incredibly grateful to be trusted with these moments — because while they may be another day at the Charleston House, they are often a very special day in someone else's life.

And that is what makes hospitality so meaningful.

Joshua C.

08/31/2026

🫖 A Very English Afternoon Tea — in Charleston, Illinois

So, do come and take tea with us.

A pot of Harney & Sons Fine Tea, soup prepared with ingredients from Nett’s Butcher Block, dainty sandwiches, savouries, and sweet things — all prepared on site and served upon Spode fine china from England.

Take your time. Enjoy the conversation. Have another cup.

After all, tea is rather more than a beverage — it is an occasion.

A little English tradition, with a farm-to-table experience, right here in Charleston, Illinois.

Reservations are required. Limited tables remain.

Charleston House
956 6th Street
Charleston, Illinois 61920
217 - 758 - 0977

Parking is available located on 6th street or private off street parking is also available. (12 + car parking lot located behind the Charleston House. )

$25 per person before tax
Cash, card or checks are accepted

September Dates

Fridays and Saturdays:

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM or 1:00 - 2:30 PM

September 4th & 5th

September 11th & 12th

September 18th & 19th

September 25th & 26th

08/24/2026

As a new academic year begins at Eastern Illinois University, I couldn’t be more excited for all the new and returning students, faculty, and staff who make EIU so special.

It truly is a season of new beginnings.

During my time at EIU, I learned that hospitality is not in everyone’s DNA. It takes a special person to understand that we are, first and foremost, in the people business.

Hospitality requires authenticity, curiosity, generosity, and a commitment to surrounding yourself with people who understand and believe in the industry.

Through the Hospitality and Tourism Management program, I was fortunate to be introduced to extraordinary people and experiences that shaped the way I see hospitality today.

I had the opportunity to learn from a CEO of a world-renowned coffee brand, work with a hotel consultant who challenged me to understand the many reports and measurements behind a healthy hotel property, and connect with a brand ambassador representing one of the world’s renowned hotel brands.

But perhaps the most valuable opportunity came through my internship at a four-star bed and breakfast in the Shires of New England.

There, I had the privilege of learning from a bed and breakfast owner with more than 35 years of hospitality experience. His career has included opening and managing luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, and professional sports and entertainment venues around the world—including the iconic The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur, India.

Even today, despite our busy schedules and the distance between our businesses, we continue to find time to talk about hospitality, entrepreneurship, and the businesses we are building.

Those relationships are something I will always treasure.

As the Charleston House continues to grow and pursue authentic hospitality excellence, I cannot thank Eastern Illinois University enough for the education, experiences, relationships, and opportunities that helped prepare me for this journey.

I will continue to be an ambassador not only for EIU, but especially for the Hospitality and Tourism Management program that helped shape the person and hospitality professional I am today.

The connection between Eastern Illinois University and the Charleston House will forever be a strong one.

EIU will continue to prepare students and alumni to lead, serve, and succeed in their respective fields—and I am incredibly proud to be one of them.

Reminiscing on the day Billy the Panther visited the Charleston House last October 2025.

It’s moments like this that I will cherish forever.

Forever EIU.
Forever Charleston House.

Joshua Nathaniel Craig
B.S. Hospitality & Tourism Management
Magna Cum Laude
Class of 2024

08/10/2026

National Afternoon Tea Week 🫖
10th August - 16th August 2026

From Nature to your reserved table, English Tea is celebrated this weekend at the Charleston House. Using the finest Blue Italian Spode dishes, delight in teas from Harney & Sons, scones, British sandwiches, and sweets.

Reserve your experience in the tradition of British Tea this weekend with Chef Brenden and House owner, Joshua.

Cannot attend this weekend; we offer British Tea every Friday and Saturday.

RSVP 217-758-0977

08/05/2026

Not only do the taste buds tell the truth… so do the voices of those who have experienced the Charleston House.

Since opening day, guests have so graciously shared their sentiments—reflections that now live on across Google, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Expedia, and Facebook.

Each review, a quiet affirmation that something rather special is unfolding here.

I remain sincerely grateful to every guest who has taken the time to see, hear, taste, and feel the difference.

The Charleston House is, and always shall be…

A place where time has no time.

A place to expect the unexpected…

A place where authentic hospitality excellence is practiced with intention and care.

I look forward to welcoming you.

— Joshua C.

07/23/2026

Make this Saturday, July 25th, a day to remember at the Charleston House. 🫖

Invite a dear friend, a beloved family member, a colleague, or even a neighbor to join you for Afternoon Tea from 1:00–2:30.

Many guests have returned time and again, drawn back by the charm, the conversation, and the quiet beauty of the experience.

But who is counting…

When moments are this meaningful and bring people together, they are meant to be savored—never measured.

Reserve your table by calling or texting 217-758-0977.

✨ PLEASE SHARE ✨

The Charleston House is delighted to announce the return of our beloved Afternoon Tea service—now featuring an expanded selection of fine teas from Harney & Sons!

Gather your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues for an elegant and relaxing experience this summer. Reservations are now open, and availability is limited.

🗓 Held every Friday and Saturday in July, plus Saturday, August 1st

🕰 Choose your preferred seating:
• 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
• 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Select your date and time, then sit back and enjoy the beauty of conversation within the timeless setting of the Charleston House.

💳 Payment accepted: Cash, card, or check

📞 To reserve your spot, call or text: 217-758-0977

📧 Or email: [email protected]

We look forward to welcoming you for an unforgettable afternoon.

**Private parking is available at the rear of the property.

For your convenience, the side entrance is the best way to access the Charleston House.

07/21/2026

You are warmly invited to Afternoon Tea at the Charleston House. 🫖✨

Leave a ❤️ if the thought delights you.

If you have already joined, I would be grateful for your kind words below ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kindly gather your friends and reserve your table. Each service is set with five tables and soon fills up.

In keeping with the quiet elegance of the Charleston House’s formal dining room, each seating welcomes no more than fifteen guests. Should your preferred time be unavailable, I would be pleased to host you on another day.

📍 Charleston House
956 6th Street
Charleston, Illinois

📞 217-758-0977
📧 [email protected]

☕ August Tea Dates
Fridays: August 7, 14, 28
Saturdays: August 1, 8, 15, 29

🕰 Seating Times
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Kindly share any dietary considerations at the time of reservation so each guest may be served with care.

I look forward to your company at the Charleston House.

Your host,

Joshua C.