The Cahokia Mounds Museum Society is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1976 to support the Cahokia State Historic Site. Our mission is to promote for the public benefit the educational and scientific aspects of the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site and associated archaeological sphere, and to support activities that are calculated to preserve, develop or interpret Cahokia Mounds.

Since 1976, CMMS has provided support by reacquiring and protecting portions of this prehistoric city, conducting archaeological research, educating the public with programs such as Kids Day, lecture series, nature/culture hikes, equinox and solstice sunrise observances, and supporting the arts through Indian Market Days and Performing Arts Series.

Programs sponsored by the Society consistently attract thousands of new visitors each year because themes and activities are geared toward audiences ranging in age from pre-school to elderly. A firm focus on school and family programs provides a cyclical benefit, as children from school groups encourage parents to visit and vice versa.

One current goal of the CMMS is to pursue land acquisition throughout the area to ultimately protect and preserve more of this State Historic and World Heritage site and to showcase the original acreage of this ancient city. Some of this land is home to vacant buildings and lots and/or is held by landowners that are unable or unwilling to maintain them. Once CMMS purchases property, it is placed under the protection of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Other goals of CMMS include increasing attendance to the site, reaching out to new audiences, and increasing public awareness. Notable CMMS achievements include publishing the award-winning book, Cahokia – City of the Sun and the six-time award-winning video,Cahokia Mounds – Ancient Metropolis.

The Cahokia Mound Builder award is presented to individual(s) or organization(s) that have made a major impact in the preservation, development of interpretation of Cahokia Mounds and its surrounding archaeological sphere. Below is a list of previous Mound Builder award winners.

2023

Lori Belknap – Dedication to the Site, has been intern, done excavation work, New Exhibit development and production, promoting and educating about the Site. Executive Director of CMMS, now Site Superintendent of Cahokia Mounds.

No Awards from 2020-2022

2019

Robert Mohrman – Long-time CMMS Board Member and Cahokia Mounds Supporter.

No Awards from 2014-2018

2013

James Mertz – Assisting with archeological projects at the Site and surrounding area.

2012

Robert Lasurs – Long-time CMMS Board Member, especially during its’ formative years, and planning of the Interpretive Center.

2011

Dean and Nancy Graves – Long-time support of the Site and Sponsorship of the Art Show.
Schwartz and Associates Creative, Inc. – In-Kind donations and creative production services, production of iPod Tours and obtaining grants for other interactive educational programs and web sites.
William Iseminger – Four decades of employment and service to Cahokia Mounds, his articles and publications about the Site, and public presentations and promotions.

2010

Margaret Brown – Former Site Manager.
Tourism Bureau, Southwestern Illinois – Promoting Cahokia, taking care of group scheduling.
Dr. John Kelly (Washington University – St. Louis) – Archeological work at Site and surrounding area.
Larry Kinsella – Volunteer work on Woodhenge, old Stockade, experimental houses, IAAA and CAS offices, excavations, Flintknapping, etc.

2009

Doris Marti – Volunteer, CMMS board and past president.
IL Representative Thomas Holbrook – For supporting and championing Cahokia Mounds
Lee and Lila Vick – Volunteers, speaker’s bureau, Lila CMMS board and past president, CAS board (Lee vice-president), Cahokia representatives for St.Louis Docents organization, etc.

2008

Boeing Employees Community Fund – For donating funds for land acquisition.

2007

TOKY Branding + Design (Eric and Mary Thoelke) – Design and development of new website.
Open Space Council of St. Louis – Donating funds for demolition of Grandpas annex.
Art Grossmann – Photographer of Cahokia and exhibits, postcards, etc.
Archaeological Conservancy – Acquiring land part of greater Cahokia site – Fingerhut, Powell, E. St. Louis, etc.

2006

Albert Meyer (posthumous) – Excavator, illustrator, artist, CMMS Board, volunteer, CAS member and past president.

2005

Rick Jones – Donating demolition services for acquired house lots.
Paul and Mary Chucalo – Donating Chucalo Mound to site.

2004

Senator Evelyn Bowles – Grants for land acquisition
Barbara Thoelke – CMMS board, coordinating land acquisitions in State Park Place
Leo Konzen – Attorney, assisting with land acquisition legal work

No Awards from 1996-2003

1995

State Park Volunteer Fire Department – Chief Terry Guffy, assistance with fires on site.
Robert Luken – Arranging for Mesoamerican exhibit exchanges.

1994

Nellamae and Myles Lowis – Gift shop, display fabrication and assistance.
George Stephenson – Donating air flights for photography.
Egyptian Radio Club – Communications at special events.

1993

Lucille Stehman – CMMS board and founder, first gift shop manager.
Madison County Transit – Donation of shuttle bus service.
Richard Norrish – Editor of Cahokian.

1992

Leonard Blake – Ethnobotanist, avocational archaeologist, Cahokia enthusiast.

1991

Ettus Hiatt – Cahokia Mounds Museum Society, past president
Evelyn Voelker – American Indian Center of St. Louis
David Huntley – SIUE Museums director
Collinsville Kiwanis Club – Donation/construction of picnic shelter
Ramon’s Eldorado Restaurant – Mecca for archaeologists

1990

Contract Archaeology Program – SIUE, Bill Woods, excavations of museum site.
Gerard Hilferty & Paul Stromdahl, Hilferty & Associates – exhibit designers.
Design Craftsmen, Inc. – Chauncey Meritt, exhibit fabrication & installation.
Beverly Moseley – Beverly Moseley & Associates, dioramas
Donna Lawrence – Donna Lawrence Productions, audiovisuals
Cindy Reed – Hilferty & Associates, exhibit text writer
Tom Kramer – Capital Development Board, museum project manager
Jim Allen – Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, agency coordinator for exhibits
Norman Kutterer – Cahokia Mounds Museum Society, acting director

1989

Chuck and Cal Morris – Architectural Associates, Inc [AAI], museum architect
Robert Koepke – Cahokia Advisory Board chairman
Roscoe “Buck” Eastridge – Capital Development Board, project chairman
Frank Illingsworth & Bill Ferris – Booker Associates, museum project managers
Ralph and Gary Korte – Korte Construction Co., construction of museum
Miranda Mathews – Donation for interior bronze doors
David Oates and Sid LeGrand – Oates & Associates, landscape architect

1988

Frank Acardi – Director of Kahok Dancers
Eugene Kramer – State Police District 11, radios for vehicles, etc.
Harold Mohrman – CMMS board, avocational archaeologist
Capt. Bobby Henry – State Police

1987

Joe Webb – Former site manager
Clyde Sweitzer – Private contractor, worked with archaeologists
Diane Jeter – SIUE, slide show project
Robert Goodrich & Judith Newmark – St. Louis Post Dispatch, coverage of site and events
Collinsville Chamber of Commerce, Rick Murray, President – Support for site programs

1986

George and Mildred Arnold – SIUE, donation for Woodhenge reconstruction
Senator Sam Vadalabene – Supporting site and funding for new museum
Judy Taplin – Collinsville Herald, coverage of Cahokia and events
Walter Milton – Pepsi Cola Alton Bottling, sponsorship assistance for special events
Ron Presson – Southern Illinois Tourism & Convention Center

There are currently 1,600 acres of land within the National Historic Landmark (NHL) Boundary of Cahokia Mounds that are not protected by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. This land contains archaeological evidence of the ancient Mississippian culture that once lived here and is susceptible to commercial development, bulldozing and the loss of important cultural heritage.

Since 2000 the Cahokia Mounds Museum Society has been purchasing land from willing sellers at a fair price. Once reclaimed, the land is donated to the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, which has agreed to protect and maintain this property in perpetuity. Our goal is to return the NHL boundary to green space — reminiscent of how it was 1,000 years ago when occupied by 10-20 thousand Mississippian people.

We are asking for individuals and organizations to help us Reclaim Cahokia by making a charitable contribution. Your investment in CMMS will help ensure that the more than 300,000 men, women, and children that come to Cahokia Mounds each year, as well as future generations, will have access to an expanded site and a deeper understanding of those who lived at Cahokia Mounds. Your donation is tax deductible through our 501 (c) 3 corporation, the Cahokia Mounds Museum Society.

How others have helped:

• The Archaeological Conservancy: emergency acquisition of the Powell Mound Tract and Fingerhut Tract
• Boeing Employees Community Fund: has donated more than $20,000 to the Reclaiming Cahokia Fund
• Gary Stark, Stark Homes, Inc.: $62,500 to the Reclaiming Cahokia Fund
• Illinois First Grant initiated by Senator (retired) Evelyn Bowles: $250,000 grant which allowed the purchase of 21 lots
• Rick Jones: donation of demolition work
• Leo Konzen: years of pro bono legal services
• Marvin and Susan Webb: donated their property to the Reclaiming Cahokia Program
• The Open Space Council St. Louis: $25,000 for demolition of a warehouse that sits on the site
• Paul and Mary Chucalo: donated their personal property that features the Chucalo Mound
• Numerous other generous donors

Any of the following gifting opportunities will help CMMS attain its goal of reclaiming unprotected land within the National Historic Landmark Boundary of Cahokia Mounds:

Cash Donations
Most gifts to the Cahokia Mounds Museum Society are in the form of a cash or check payment. Please make checks payable to CMMS. Checks can be mailed to 30 Ramey Dr. Collinsville IL 62234. Your donations are tax deductible. All donations will be recognized in the Museum Society’s quarterly newsletter, Cahokian and on our websitecahokiamounds.com. Any donor above $500 will be have the opportunity to bring a group of up to ten to have lunch and tour the site and interpretive center with a professional archaeologist.

Donated Services
Gifts of donated services are extremely valuable to CMMS. Once property is bought by CMMS, all structures must be removed before being placed under the protection of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Therefore, demolition work is currently a premier Cahokia Mounds need.

Gifts of Appreciated Property
With careful planning, charitable gifts of long term appreciated securities or real estate can create very favorable tax benefits for you – such as the elimination of paying long-term capital gains tax or receiving an income tax charitable contribution.

Bequests
Gifts through wills and bequests can provide you with the opportunity to honor and sustain your family name at Cahokia Mounds. In 2005 the Leona Franklin Estate endowed the William Iseminger Intern Fund, assuring the quality learning experiences for college students in perpetuity.

Life Income/Charitable Trusts
Charitable trusts offer an opportunity to make a substantial gift to CMMS without forfeiting the annual income produced by these assets. You will retain income for your life and the life of your spouse. This gift can also be structured to create a substantial tax break over a period of years.

Planned giving enables you to give gifts of assets that benefit your family now and in the future. These gifts also ensure the stability of Cahokia Mounds for future generations. Below are some of the most common ways to legacy of support that will secure the Museum Society’s success for generations to come.

Gifts of Securities
Stock that has increased in value is one of the most popular assets used for charitable giving, once it has been held for a minimum of a year. Making a gift of securities to us offers you the chance to help our organization while realizing many important benefits for yourself.

Gifts of Retirement Plan Assets
If you’re like many Americans, your financial future will likely revolve around your retirement plan assets. To maximize the value of a retirement account, consider making a lifetime gift of its after-tax values to a tax-exempt deferred giving plan.

Gifts of Savings Bonds
Savings bonds represent major assets that may have stopped growing and are now collecting dust, just waiting to be put to use. A tax-wise use for your appreciated savings bonds is to support a cause you care about.

Gifts of Real Estate
Using real estate, such as your house, farm or commercial property, to fund a gift allows you to preserve your cash assets, receive significant tax and income advantages, and make a larger charitable gift than anticipated.

Gifts of Closely Held Stock
A donation of your closely held stock can be a fine way for you to make a sizable charitable contribution while realizing valuable tax benefits.

Gifts of Life Insurance
Donating your life insurance could be a wonderful way to fulfill your desire to support our work. By making the Museum Society the beneficiary of an existing policy, you make good use of your resources and expand your ability to make a significant gift.

If you have remembered CMMS in your estate plans, we encourage you to notify us by filling out and returning the Bequest Allocation form. Giving through your Will – How to steps. For more information, please call CMMS at (618) 344-7316.

This information is provided as an educational service.
Personal advisors should always be consulted in the planning process.