Sara Shaffer-Henry

09/17/2026

Hey teachers! Check this great opportunity out!

Attention K-12 TEACHERS….

IDNR Historic Sites Field Trip Grant is here!!

Grants are only available to teachers of grades prekindergarten through 12 in Illinois schools and are awarded for students to study some aspect of Illinois’ history. The field trip should support Illinois historical topics currently being taught in the applicant’s curriculum. The field trip site must be selected from the list of approved destinations in this application form. Field trips for geological and/or biological topics will not be funded nor can they be combined with historical field trips. For field trips related to geological and/or biological topics, apply for the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant. If you have any problems or have any questions, please contact IDNR Education at 217-524-4126 or email [email protected].

Illinois State Archaeological Survey
Illinois Association for Advancement of Archaeology
Cahokia Mounds World Heritage Site
Illinois Department of Natural Resources

09/10/2026

It's Monarch Season out at Dickson Illinois State Museum-Dickson Mounds! Come on down and have your own butterfly adventure on our trails!

🦋 They’re Heeee-reee! 🦋

We are in the middle of the Monarch migration, and Dickson Mounds has started seeing an increase in monarch butterflies on the grounds! Check out his brilliant example of the caterpillar stage of the monarch life cycle. They love snacking on milkweed and we have quite a bit out on the prairie. Ready to have your own discovery of these beautiful creatures? Head on down to the prairie trails on the grounds at the museum and see what you find-grounds open dawn to dusk.

Photo Credit: Doris Bailey

09/08/2026

Congrats to our sister site cahokia mounds state historic site for hosting this monumental event!

09/07/2026

Check out the fantastic work being done at Illinois River Biological Station! Freshwater mussels are not only critical to river health, but also a large story of Indigenous life--past and present.

The archaeological record demonstrates the gooey inside of mussels were used as a food source, with their shells being used for food preparation, jewlery, and tools.

Ready to learn more? Stop by Dickson Mounds to learn more about the !

06/15/2026

Fantastic project!

Maps are more than geography—they carry stories, relationships, memory, and ways of knowing. Reclaiming Indigenous mapping is one way Anishinaabe reconnect to knowledge systems that existed long before imposed borders and colonial boundaries.

We’re honored to share Before Borders: Anishinaabe Aki, created by an Anishinaabe artist. This map illustrates the land as it was known through Anishinaabe relationships to homelands, waterways, and community. It reflects the deep and enduring connection between the Anishinaabe people and the places they have always known as home.

Visit www.ieimi.org to access this resource and continue learning with us. 🗺️

06/03/2026

Come learn about one of my favorite topics-MASTODONS! Free to the public and a great chance for the kids to learn something awesome!

Join us this Thursday, June 4 at 9:30 a.m. for Tot Time!

This month’s program is all about America’s Elephant, the mastodon, and will be presented by the Illinois State Museum’s Curator of Science Education, Alex R***r. Participants will enjoy learning all about these large ice age mammals, how they were first identified as fossils, when and where they lived in Illinois, what they ate, and how they were important for human survival. Tots and caretakers, expect to enjoy hands-on activities and crafts to take home!

The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. and is free. Registration is not required. However, groups of 8 or more are encouraged to call the Museum at 309-547-3721 prior to the program date to ensure the availability of supplies. Participants are welcome to enjoy the Museum exhibits after the program.

Photo of Mastodon on display at the Illinois State Museum-Springfield

05/30/2026

Come on down to Dickson Mounds! Eveland buildings are open 👇👇👇

Summer is here (almost) and with the return of the warm weather comes the opening of the Eveland Village buildings on the museum grounds! These three buildings house the preserved partial excavations of three Mississippian period ceremonial structures. Starting today, the Eveland Village buildings will be open to the public during regular museum hours, Tuesday- Saturday from 9:00 am- 4:30 pm. We look forward to seeing you on your next visit to the museum!

05/13/2026

Thanks to everyone who came and participated. Stay tuned for more news from the museum.

That’s a wrap on the 2026 Listening Sessions for Dickson Mounds!

Thank you to all who attended and provided great feedback for DMM’s future!
A special thanks to Lewistown Carnegie Public Library and Spoon River College for being gracious hosts for our sessions. It was greatly appreciated.

Missed a session but still want to give feedback? Complete our quick survey at: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/nbmHWMiuW6
The survey closes at midnight, but we are always happy to hear from you via email at [email protected]

Photo Credit: Image of Emiquon preserve by Brittany C.