Dickson Mounds State Museum 5.0 (reviews)

The Dickson Mounds State Museum is a branch of the Illinois State Museum, a National Historic Site AND is one of the major on-site archaeological museums in the United States!

That is pretty impressive!

If you want even more reason to visit, it also offers you an opportunity to explore the world of the American Indian in an awe inspiring journey through 12,000 years of human experience in the Illinois River Valley.

Phew - we're in for quite a historic experience!

The Dickson Mounds State Museum is 15,000 sq ft filled with exhibits that allow you a number of ways to explore the past. You can see real life historic artifacts, art works and examples of archaeology PLUS there are exciting hands-on activities too!

Explore the character of the Illinois River in the River Valley Gallery, allowing you to trace the interaction between the river and the people who lived along it - right back from the Ice Age to present day (that's a long time!)

People of the Valley portrays the various people of those times, from the Ice-Age hunters to the tribal groups that departed the state in the 19th century, AND you can explore the world of Mississippian people whose 800 year old sites still surround the museum today!

Kids always love the Discovery Center offers a learning place with even more hands-on activities for visitors of all ages, and they can marvel at the excavated remains of three early Indian  buildings that are preserved for viewing in the warmer months.

It's a fascinating day out in Illinois where history comes to life!