A family posing for the camera at sunset.

Passionate About Sharing the History of Charleston

Greetings to you! My name is Dr. Eric Lager but please call me Eric. It is easy to fall in love with Charleston and I have spent most of my adult life studying this historical city. On my Charleston tour you will become fascinated by the city's rich history with a professional historian who has a genuine and sincere passion for meeting new people and sharing the beauty of this enchanting city that I call home.

My Background And Story

I originally grew up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and attended college at the University of Florida, where I earned my B.A. in History. After working as a public historian at Custer State Park in South Dakota, Fort Pulaski National Monument in Savannah Georgia, and Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, I attended Clemson University in South Carolina for my M.A. in History.

After teaching United States history for three years at a community college in Vail Colorado I entered the Ph.D. program in 19th century American History at the University of Tennessee. My dissertation examined the South Carolina civilian home front experience during the Civil War, with Charleston playing a central role in my study.

Since 2016 I have been working as a Professor of History at The Citadel in Charleston. I now use my expertise to share the history of this important city with people from around the world. Over the past few years I have worked as an independent contractor and have led thousands of people on walking tours through the historic district.

There are many good tour guides in Charleston. However, if you wish to grasp a deeper and more serious understanding of this city’s past, it is best to learn it from a professionally trained historian who has done countless hours of research and specializes in Charleston history. I sincerely love this city and have a passion for sharing it with others, so come join me and have some fun on my Charleston History Walk!

Feel free to download my dissertation here!

A green and white logo for palmetto guild.
A man sitting at his desk in front of papers.
A man standing on the edge of a pier near water.
A man sitting at his desk in front of papers.

My Background And Story

I originally grew up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and attended college at the University of Florida, where I earned my B.A. in History. After working as a public historian at Custer State Park in South Dakota, Fort Pulaski National Monument in Savannah Georgia, and Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, I attended Clemson University in South Carolina for my M.A. in History.

After teaching United States history for three years at a community college in Vail Colorado I entered the Ph.D. program in 19th century American History at the University of Tennessee. My dissertation examined the South Carolina civilian home front experience during the Civil War, with Charleston playing a central role in my study.

Since 2016 I have been working as a Professor of History at The Citadel in Charleston. I now use my expertise to share the history of this important city with people from around the world. Over the past few years I have worked as an independent contractor and have led thousands of people on walking tours through the historic district.

There are many good tour guides in Charleston. However, if you wish to grasp a deeper and more serious understanding of this city’s past, it is best to learn it from a professionally trained historian who has done countless hours of research and specializes in Charleston history. I sincerely love this city and have a passion for sharing it with others, so come join me and have some fun on my Charleston History Walk!

A man standing on the edge of a pier near water.

Feel free to download my dissertation here!

A green and white logo for palmetto guild.