The Illinois State Museum was founded in 1877, and its first home was in the State Capitol building. The Museum was founded as a natural history museum with outstanding geology and biology collections.

The Illinois State Museum promotes discovery, learning, and an appreciation of Illinois’ natural, cultural, and artistic heritage.

The headquarters of the Illinois State Museum is in Springfield.
The public museum with exhibits and educational programs is located in the State Capitol Complex on the corner of Spring and Edwards Streets.
The Museum’s Research and Collections Center, which houses collections, research laboratories, and a Technology Learning Center, is located at 1011 East Ash Street in Springfield. Branch facilities include Dickson Mounds Museum in Lewistown, Lockport Gallery in Lockport, the Southern Illinois Artisans Shop and Southern Illinois Art Gallery at Rend Lake, and the Illinois Artisans Shop and Chicago Gallery in the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago.

What is the Scope of the Illinois State Museum’s Exhibitions, Collections, and Programs?
The Illinois State Museum’s permanent and transitional exhibitions, extensive collections, and educational programs tell the story of the art, Native American heritage, history, and natural history of Illinois.

Illinois State Museum, Springfield

Illinois State Museum, Springfield

Mon.- Sat. 8:30 A.M.-5:00 P.M.; Sun. Noon-5:00 P.M.; Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Located at the corner of Spring and Edwards Streets, the ISM is in the Capitol Complex, just south of the State Capitol., Springfield, IL
Phone: (217)782-7386

For more visitor information go to: http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/main/geninfo.html

ISM Dickson Mounds Museum

ISM Dickson Mounds Museum

Daily 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

60 Miles northwest of Springfield, Routes 78 and 97, Lewistown, IL
Phone: 309-547-3721

For more visitor information go to: http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/geninfo.html

ISM Lockport Gallery

ISM Lockport Gallery

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sundays Noon - 5:00 PM. Closed Saturdays and state holidays. Galleries closed during exhibit changes.

Located 35 miles southwest of the Chicago Loop, one block from the crossroads of IL Routes 7 and 171 in historic downtown Lockport, Lockport, IL
Phone: 815-838-7400

For more visitor information go to: http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/lockport/geninfo.html

Southern Illinois Art & Artisans Center

Southern Illinois Art & Artisans Center

Daily 9:00 A.M-5:00 P.M. Closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Located 6 miles north of Benton, IL on I-57, just west of Exit 77 only 90 miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri., Whittington, IL
Phone: (618) 629-2220

For more visitor information go to: http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/so-il/geninfo.html

ISM Chicago Gallery

ISM Chicago Gallery: Located on the second floor of the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago, Chicago, IL
For more visitor information go to: http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/chicago/geninfo.html