Visits to the RCC must be prearranged. Please call to schedule a visit. All in-person special events and programs have been canceled until further notice.

The Research & Collections Center houses collections that include artifacts, fossils, biological specimens, works of art, records, and databases. The rocks, minerals, and fossil plants and animals, and their contemporary counterparts, permanently record the evolution of Illinois climates, landscapes, plants, and animals. Finely-crafted tools, ornaments, and works of art illustrate the rich cultural history from the cultures of the prehistoric American Indians who thrived in this region for over 10,000 years, to the early French explorers of the seventeenth century, to the settlers of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, to the culturally diverse societies of today.

The collections and educational resources in the RCC provide the basis for learning experiences that surpass those available in the traditional classroom and other formal settings. They permit first-hand observation of the tangible evidence for natural and cultural change and diversity. They are studied by students and scholars from a wide variety of disciplines.

In order to promote the safety of our visitors, and in compliance with State guidelines, all visitors (over age two who can medically tolerate a mask) will be required to wear a face covering at all times. All masks must be made from a solid material, preferably with more than one layer, and cannot have exhalation valves or vents. All visitors have their temperature taken (contactless) and answer a few health questions before entry.