Illinois State Museum

Illinois State Museum The Illinois State Museum inspires exploration of Illinois’ past and present.
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The Illinois State Museum features engaging natural history, history, art, and anthropology exhibitions.

Please note our new time for the ISM Teacher's Lounge Program on May 28th at 2:00.
05/27/2026

Please note our new time for the ISM Teacher's Lounge Program on May 28th at 2:00.

EDIT- NEW TIME!!!Calling all educators! Join conservation ecologist Dr. Tih-Fen Ting as she shares her research and ways...
05/26/2026

EDIT- NEW TIME!!!

Calling all educators!

Join conservation ecologist Dr. Tih-Fen Ting as she shares her research and ways to teach ecology in the classroom. Attendees of this event receive one CPDU, alongside some free teaching resources for the classroom. The program will be located at ISM-Springfield (502 S. Spring Street) on May 28th from 2:00-3:00 pm

This event is part of the ISM's Big Read Programming, in partnership with Arts Midwest, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Illinois State Museum Society.

On this day, 149 years ago, The Illinois State Museum was created by statute. We have changed a lot in the last 149 year...
05/25/2026

On this day, 149 years ago, The Illinois State Museum was created by statute. We have changed a lot in the last 149 years, and we look forward to turning 150 next year!

Thanks to our friends at the Illinois State Archives, which is part of the Illinois Secretary of State office for sharing images our founding document (page 1 of the document is featured in this post)

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Happy Memorial Day! The Illinois State Museum honors members of the American armed forces for their service and the sac...
05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day! The Illinois State Museum honors members of the American armed forces for their service and the sacrifices they and their families have made for our freedom.

This 34-star flag was created in 1861 carried by the 33th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry during the Civil War. Known as the “Teacher’s Regiment,” the 33th was originally formed by students at the Illinois State Normal School. Private Joe Fifer from this regiment would later become Governor of Illinois. Soldiers from this regiment participated in the Siege of Vicksburg as well as military action in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama.

Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66 is now open at ISM-Springfield
05/23/2026

Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66 is now open at ISM-Springfield

The team is working on the final touches to welcome you to our new exhibit!
05/22/2026

The team is working on the final touches to welcome you to our new exhibit!

Another sneak peek of Miles of Memories has entered the building.
05/19/2026

Another sneak peek of Miles of Memories has entered the building.

Last week we had a visitor in to work with our collections. Leah, from the Ungar Lab at the University of Arkansas, spen...
05/18/2026

Last week we had a visitor in to work with our collections. Leah, from the Ungar Lab at the University of Arkansas, spent two days in our fossil collections studying the teeth of mammoths and mastodons. Here she is working with some mastodons in our current Hot Science exhibit.

Don't miss our Guided Nature Walks next Saturday (5/23) from 1:00 to 4:00. We will see you there!
05/16/2026

Don't miss our Guided Nature Walks next Saturday (5/23) from 1:00 to 4:00. We will see you there!

Address

502 S Spring Street
Springfield, IL
62706

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9am - 4:30pm
Sunday 12pm - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12177827386

Website

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