Illinois State Museum

The donated items represent the families of Virgil and Catharine Hickox and Ninian and Elizabeth Todd Edwards.

Black History Month exhibit explores connections to 1908 Springfield race riots

Illinois History Day (an affiliate of National History Day) is a project-based learning program for 6th-12th grade students. The program enhances learning history through research, analysis, and discovery. Students are asked to pick a topic of their choosing related to the National History Day theme and use the research skills they learn in their classrooms to develop a project. Projects consist of papers, exhibits, performances, documentaries, or websites. This year's theme is rights and responsibilities. Illinois hosts 4 regional contests and then a state contest where students present their projects and topics. Laura Mitchelle Illinois History Day Coordinator at the Illinois State Museum spoke to Community Voices about the origins of Illinois History Day, how teachers can prep their students, and the need for volunteer judges for the state contest. The Illinois State History Day contest is May 1, 2025 in Springfield. For more information about Illinois History Day and volunteering click here.

She has been the interim director of the Illinois State Museum since February 2023.

The site in Springfield has been closed since early August due to a plumbing project.

The museum staff will stay busy with special programming and exhibits in the community.

Logan Pappenfort will provide tribal relations and NAGPRA guidance to the state museum and IDNR.

Her long career included serving at the Springfield-based museum since 2019.

Logan Pappenfort is the Curator of Anthropology at Dickson Mounds State Museum. He is also a member of the Peoria Tribe of Indians Oklahoma. Pappenfort spoke to Community Voices about what is offered at the Dickson Mounds State Museum. He also gave insight into the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

Logan Pappenfort is the Curator of Anthropology at Dickson Mounds State Museum. He is also a member of the Peoria Tribe of Indians Oklahoma. Pappenfort spoke to Community Voices about what is offered at the Dickson Mounds State Museum. He also gave insight into the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).