Dickson Mounds Awarded Grant for Tot Time Programs

Press Releases – Thursday, November 1, 2018

ISM Location: Dickson Mounds

For Immediate Release:

LEWISTOWN, IL – Spoon River Electric presented Dickson Mounds Museum with $1,000 through the Operation Round-Up grant program to support the 2019 Tot Time program series at Dickson Mounds. The grant was presented during the Tot Time program held on November 1. Funding will help underwrite program presenters and supplies for the upcoming year.

Started in January 2014, Tot Time offers fun, hands-on educational activities at Dickson Mounds Museum focusing on different topics each month, including music, insects, fish, frogs, ducks, tree planting, and recycling, to toddlers and their caretakers from the surrounding communities. Past programs have featured live critters, including a skunk, owl, various waterfowl, butterflies, bear cubs, and lion cubs. Overall, programs highlight and attempt to create a connection to nature, science, community, history, and art.

In 2017, the program series engaged more than 700 toddlers and their caretakers. To date, the program attendance for the 2018 series has far exceeded that number.

The Illinois Association of Museums recognized Dickson Mounds and Tot Time with an award for Best Practices in Educational Programming in 2015.

Tot Time is held the first Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. Admission is free and registration is not required. Light refreshments are served. Groups of eight or more should call the Dickson Mounds Museum in advance to ensure the availability of supplies. The program begins promptly at 9:30 a.m., with the program portion lasting approximately 30 minutes, followed by crafts, snacks, and time to explore the Museum.

The 2018 Tot Time program series is sponsored by the City of Lewistown, Canton Chamber of Commerce, Havana National Bank, Lewistown VFW Post 5001 Auxiliary, Rusty Melhouse of Edward Jones, and Chris Bennett of Dunfermline. Tot Time is currently seeking support for the 2019 program series. Please contact Curator of Education Christa Christensen at 309-547-3721 for more information.

The Dickson Mounds Museum – part of the Illinois State Museum system – is located between Lewistown and Havana off of Illinois Routes 78 and 97. Dickson Mounds is open free to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Tours and special programs are available for groups with reservations. For more information call 309-547-3721 or TTY 217-782-9175. Also visit us on Facebook at Illinois State Museum-Dickson Mounds or online at the Dickson Mounds link on the Illinois State Museum website at www.illinoisstatemuseum.org.

Contact Person: Christa Christensen

Contact Email: christa.christensen@illinois.gov

Contact Phone: (309) 547-3721