Discover a hidden treasure, world-class and free

Not to be missed during a visit to Springfield is the Illinois State Museum, just a few blocks west of downtown in the State Capitol complex. People of all ages will enjoy this free museum, which has been called “world-class” and “a gem in its own right.” It tells the story of the land, life, people and art of Illinois through engaging, interactive natural history displays, a play-themed children’s area, and much more. Families with young children will not want to miss the museum’s popular Super Saturday series, held on the second Saturday of each month, the Story Time program, offered on the second Monday of each month, and Satur-Play!, offered every Saturday. For more openings and special events visit www.museum.state.il.us/events.

Changes is not just a learning experience, it’s an adventure! – You might not know that Illinois was once located south of the equator. Or, that it was once a tropical sea teeming with marine life. By traveling through time in the Changes exhibition, you will see what Illinois was like millions of years ago. You will glimpse an era when intriguing species once inhabited Illinois – sharks, giant dragonflies, Jefferson’s ground sloth, the American mastodont and shortfaced bears. You will learn what the land was like when discovered by the first European explorers. Engaging hands-on interactives, audio and video effects, life-sized dioramas and thousands of fossils bring Illinois’ amazing natural history to life.

Hot Science Gallery – The Hot Science Gallery features exhibitions on hot topics. What’s in the news? What do you hear about?

What is some of the Illinois State Museum’s latest research? In 2015 this gallery will feature a variety of topics including “de-extinction,” the concept of bringing back prehistoric animals.

Family fun in the Play Museum – Learning through play is the very best way. A children’s museum within the Museum, families will enjoy the Mary Ann MacLean Play Museum. Designed for ages 3-10, children can dig for mastodont bones, crawl through a cave, examine real fossils with a videomicroscope, climb into a cubby and read a book, play with a 1930s miniature farmhouse and much more. Play Museum hours: Mon.–Sat. 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sun. 1–5 p.m.

Explore 300 years of family life in At Home in the Heartland – Immerse yourself in the dramatic changes in household life over the past 300 years and listen to the stories of real people who lived in Illinois from the time of early settlement to the modern era. Furnishings and other domestic objects from the museum’s extensive collections present a picture of the lives of Illinois residents from the 18th century to today.

Learn about Peoples of the Past – Authentic artifacts and life-sized dioramas in the Peoples of the Past exhibit reveal the dramatic changes in American Indian cultures from thousands of years ago to the 19th century.

Special exhibition – Pro-Text: When Words Enter Visual Art, on display through Sept. 13, explores the various ways artists choose to combine language in their visual art. Works by emerging and midcareer artists from throughout the state are featured alongside works selected from the Illinois State Museum Fine Art Collection. This exhibition showcases art that incorporates words, letters or text for narrative or graphic impact. It features art by self-taught artists and works by academically trained contemporary artists working in both traditional and new media.

Temporary/permanent – This new gallery will allow visitors to encounter a series of temporary exhibitions representing a broad variety of treasures from the museum’s permanent collection of fine and decorative arts. The display will change approximately every three months. Remembering Lincoln, on view through May 10, 2015, shows rarely seen objects that honor the memory of our 16th president.

Morton D. Barker Paperweight Collection – With the gift of the Morton D. Barker Paperweight Collection to the Illinois State Museum in 1976, the international significance of the museum’s decorative art collection took a giant step forward. View magnificent paperweights from renowned glass factories in France, England, Bohemia and the United States. Visitors are sure to enjoy this array of fine antique paperweights, ranging from delicate millefiori designs to lampwork fruit and flowers to sulphide cameos and more.

The Illinois State Museum Store - Unique Gifts Made in Illinois – The Illinois State Museum Store is the place to shop for gifts made by Illinois’ finest artisans. The Museum Store features one-of-a-kind jewelry, art glass, hand-turned wood, pottery, fiber, woven baskets and much more, created by juried artisans throughout the state. The store also has a wide selection of educational toys and souvenirs.

Location and hours – and it’s free – The Illinois State Museum is located at 502 S. Spring Street on the corner of Spring and Edwards streets, just south of the Capitol Building in the State Capitol Complex. Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-5 pm. Play Museum hours: Mon.–Sat. 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sun. 1–5 p.m. Closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Admission is free. Free parking is available in the Visitors Center lot one block west of the museum on Edwards Street. For more information: 217-782-7386, Illinois State Museum on Facebook, or www.museum.state.il.us.