Entries by Cody Slauson

Interpretive Center Closing on Wednesdays

Beginning the week of September 21, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site will reduce Interpretive Center open days to 4 days per week, Thursday through Sunday. Grounds will remain open daily from dawn until dusk. This is due to recent reductions in staffing as well as the effects of the pandemic on our human resources. We […]

Governor Pritzker Visits Cahokia Mounds

On Aug 27th we had the honor of hosting Governor J.B. Pritzker and the First Lady. They visited the Interpretive Center and received a tour led by Bill Iseminger. The Governor asked many questions about the history of the Mississippians and also asked many questions about the site. They also made the trip up Monks […]

Interpretive Center Opens July 15th

We are very happy to finally announce that we will re-open the Interpretive Center (IC) with restrictions on Wednesday July 15. In our effort to maintain progress in overcoming COVID-19 in our community, we ask that you adhere to the new protocols. If you are not willing to do so, we ask that you schedule […]

Interpretive Center to Open Soon!

“We are happy to announce that we will be opening our Interpretive Center on Wednesday, July 15. We will be open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9:00 am through 5:00 pm. We will have reduced staff and will limit the occupancy of the building to 50 people or less. On Monday I will issue a statement […]

Outdoor Tours To Be Offered

As we move towards fully reopening Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, we will now offer interpretive outdoor tours of 3 key areas of the site. Interpretive outdoor tours will begin on Wednesday 7/8/2020 and continue until the building reopens. Tours will be offered Wednesday through Sunday. There will be 3 tour offerings: The Grand Plaza, […]

4th of July

If your 4th of July plans include Cahokia Mounds, please be aware that there are no fireworks permitted on the grounds whatsoever. The grounds are open from dawn until dusk only. The pavilions are open for groups of 50 or less and are on a first-come, first-served basis. The museum, pit toilets, and water fountains […]

Update on Reopening

CLOSED: The Interpretive Center will remain closed at this time. IDNR is working closely with the IDPH to develop the proper safety protocols to open our facility as safely as possible. We had hoped we could open today when the Governor opens the state at the Phase 4 level of reopening but we will not […]

The Ground are Open

Welcome back! The grounds at Cahokia Mounds are now open from dawn till dusk. The Interpretive Center, Picnic Area, Playground, Toilets, and Water Fountains remain closed. As you enjoy the grounds, please adhere to the Governor’s 6 ft. social distance mandate and wear a face covering if a 6 ft. distance cannot be maintained unless […]

Grounds to Reopen on May 29th

We are happy to announce that the grounds at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site will reopen on May 29 with restrictions.    This includes all walking areas, Monks Mound, and Woodhenge.   Restrictions are: A face covering is required, physical distancing measures must be followed, picnic pavilions and playground remain closed, and water fountains will remain off.  […]

Deadline for Employment is May 1st

Cahokia Mounds is accepting applications for six month seasonal positions. Download the application from the Work4Illinois website and email to the site with the background check and a copy of your valid DL. Call 618-346-5164 with questions.      Lori.belknap@illinois.gov      

Exhibit Gets Much Needed Update

During the shutdown period our badly deteriorated outdoor mitigation porch received a facelift and a new sign. We received a generous donation to repaint and produce a sign for the outdoor feature exhibit. This area was inhabited by all four phases of occupation at the site beginning with AD 1050 through AD 1250. This is […]

CLOSURE – Superintendent Update

The health and safety of our community, visitors, and staff are of the utmost importance during this difficult time. To further prevent the spread of COVID-19, and in accordance with the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation issued on March 9, 2020, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced the closure of all state parks, fish […]

WE WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Effective immediately, all IDNR-owned properties are closed to the public to help stem the spread of COVID-19. All scheduled events on state property are effectively cancelled; patrons are encouraged to call IDNR’s Parks administrative line Monday through Friday at 217-782-6752 with questions.

Cancelations/Postponements

Due to COVID-19 and the recommendations of the Governor of Illinois the decision has been made to either cancel or postpone several events. We will continue to post these here and on our Facebook page. March 19 CAS mtg Canceled March 22 Winter Lecture #3 Canceled March 22 Spring Equinox Observance Canceled March 28 Flintknapping […]

Winter Lecture Series #2

Join us for the second of three in our Winter Lecture Series Sunday February 9th at 2pm. This is a free event. “ARCHITECTURAL ALIGNMENTS AND LUNAR LANDSCAPES: TRACING THE CONSTRUCTION OF ANGEL COMMUNITIES IN SOUTHWESTERN INDIANA” Elizabeth Watts Malouchos, Research Scientist at Indiana University’s Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology   Angel Mounds is one of […]

Beginning Feb 1 IDOT Closes parts of I-255

Beginning February 1 please consult the Illinois Department of Transportation’s website for planned detours while parts of I-255 are closed for a major overhaul. “While this project will require a complete closure of the interstate to all traffic for one construction season, it enables the project to be completed cheaper, faster and safer. * Significantly […]

Cahokia Mounds Receives Second NEH Grant

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced today that $30.9 million in grants to support 188 humanities projects is awarded to expand access to the country’s wealth of historical resources. Cahokia Mounds Historic Site is among the recipients for the second year. The site is awarded a Digital Projects for the public grant from […]

Winter Lecture Series Begins January 19

Our Winter Lecture Series will begin on January 19 at 2 pm in the auditorium. It will feature Paul Welch, PhD who is the Anthropology Chair at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. The title of his lecture is “Fluorite Workshops and Bead Making at Kincaid Mounds, Illinois.” Kincaid, contemporary with Cahokia, is a large, multi-mound palisaded […]

Bill Iseminger Day

Thursday December 19th has been declared Bill Iseminger day this year at Cahokia Mounds. Assistant Site Manager Bill Iseminger will be retiring on December 31st after almost 49 years at Cahokia Mounds. He started his career at Cahokia Mounds fresh out of grad school at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale and never left. He will […]

Jingle Hike Challenge 2019

Heartlands Conservancy has included us in their 2019 Jingle Hike which continues through New Year’s Day. There are 12 area sites participating. You will take a picture with the bells hanging on the tree and share via Instagram or Twitter using #jinglehike. On Facebook tag @heartlandsconservancy AND use #jinglehike. Stop by and pick up a […]