Dickson Mounds State Museum, Western Illinois Travel Guide

Dickson Mounds State Museum, a branch of the Illinois State Museum and a National Historic Site, stands as one of the major on-site archaeological museums in the United States. The museum provides a unique opportunity to explore the world of the American Indian through an awe-inspiring journey spanning 12,000 years of human experience in the Illinois River Valley.The museum's exhibits recount the development of Native American life, beginning with their arrival near the end of the Ice Age, when colossal creatures like the American Mastodon roamed the landscape. Exhibits detail the evolution of gathering, hunting, gardening, and farming practices. A significant portion of the museum is dedicated to the rise and fall of the Mississippian culture, which thrived from approximately A.D. 1100 to 1400. This society, sustained by maize cultivation, comprised communities of several hundred people supported by smaller hamlets and farmsteads.Visitors can also explore the Eveland Village, where the excavated remains of three early Native American buildings are preserved. Additionally, the museum grounds feature the 2,000-year-old Woodland period Ogden-Fettie Mound. The museum also hosts seasonally available exhibits at a restored 1850s plank road tollbooth.The museum's history is intertwined with Don Dickson, a chiropractor who began excavating the burial mounds on his family farm in 1927. Instead of removing the remains, he only removed the dirt and initially covered the excavation with a tent, later replacing it with a building to house his private museum. While his work drew significant attention, the display of uncovered skeletons was closed in 1992 due to growing Native American concerns.Today, the museum continues to evolve, focusing on respectful interpretation and collaboration with Native American tribes. Visitors can engage with exhibits showcasing artifacts, art, and archaeology, as well as participate in hands-on activities and multimedia presentations.