Welcome to the Illinois State Museum

The Illinois State Museum system includes the headquarters museum and ISM-Research & Collections Center both in Springfield with branch sites ISM-Dickson Mounds in Lewistown, and ISM-Lockport Gallery in Lockport. ISM is under the Department of Natural Resources and the State of Illinois.

The Illinois State Museum inspires exploration of Illinois' past and present to inform and enrich everyday life and to promote stewardship of cultural and natural resources for the future. The Museum's extensive collections and research activities provide the foundation for exhibitions and public programs that tell the story of the land, life, people, and art of Illinois.

ISM-Springfield

ISM-Dickson Mounds

ISM-Lockport Gallery

ISM-Research & Collections Center

Illinois America 250

New & Noteworthy

ISM-Springfield
New Program for Little Learners
October 14, 21, 28, 9:30 - 10:15 a.m.

It's a pumpkin party! Join us for our October Mini Explorer's series featuring three unique lessons all about pumpkins! The program includes interactive activities for our littlest (ages 18 months to 5 years) learners and their grown up. Contact Laura Mitchelle or by phone at 217.782.6623 for more information.

ISM-Dickson Mounds
Big Read Nature Walks
October 18, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Enjoy the natural beauty of Illinois on a nature walk guided by ISM educators and naturalists on the grounds of the ISM-Dickson Mounds in Lewistown. This event is part of the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Program and features the book entitled Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach. This book explores themes of human-wildlife conflict, cooperation, and cohabitation. Participants can look forward to an engaging nature walk, a creative writing activity, and insightful discussions on the book. All attendees will receive a copy of the book as part of the event.

ISM Route 66 Oral History Project
COMING SOON!

The Illinois State Museum Route 66 Oral History Project is a collection of 100 oral histories conducted with people who lived, worked, and traveled along Route 66 in its heyday, as well as with people who have worked or are working to preserve and interpret the Mother Road.

Museum team members conducted these oral histories between 2024 and 2025 in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the 1926 commissioning of Route 66. These interviews will be made available online very SOON!

ISM-Springfield
Day of the Dead
November 1, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, honors loved ones who have passed away and celebrates their lives. This Latine holiday honors those who came before us and our connection with them. Join us for dancing, games, activities, and delicious refreshments that highlight Hispanic Heritage. Presented in collaboration with the Hispanic Women of Springfield and the University of Illinois Springfield Diversity Center, this event is free and open to the public.

New Exhibits

ISM-Dickson Mounds

Open through May of 2026 In Flight features the watercolors of artist Peggy Macnamara. The exhibition focuses on one of her favorite subjects—birds—especially those found in central Illinois. These artworks support the museum’s mission to help people understand and connect with the environment in our region.

ISM-Lockport Gallery

ISM-Lockport Gallery will be opening a new exhibit entitled In the Middle: Growing up in the Middle of American, in the Middle Class, in the Middle of the 20th Century. The exhibit explores childhood in 1940s Illinois through the lens of a Jewish girl growing up in Bloomington. The exhibit is inspired by the life of Sybil Stern Mervis.

ISM-Springfield
Now Open, 2nd Floor Gallery

Minohsayaki ‘Painted Robes’ presents the story of collaborative efforts by the Peewaaliaki (Peoria Tribe) and Myaamiaki (Miami Tribe), along with non-Native scholars, to reconnect with their historic practice of hide painting. The exhibition is part of the Reclaiming Stories project.

ISM-Springfield
Now Open, 2nd Floor Gallery

Indigenous Beadwork of the Great Lakes features stunning examples of beadwork created by Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) artists from the turn of the 20th century. The exhibition explores beadwork as a form of resiliency and a method for expressing and maintaining one’s identity. Due to their delicate nature, this is the first time in many years these beaded textiles are on display.