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Artist Preston Jackson Donates Model

We are very fortunate to have one of the original wax models of the interior bronze door from the entrance of the Cahokia Mounds building.  This was donated by the bronze sculptor, painter, musician Preston Jackson. Preston Jackson is professor emeritus of sculpture at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago and owner of The Side View Gallery, home of the Contemporary Art Center in Peoria, Illinois. He creates bronze figurative work and monumental steel and cast bronze sculptures as well as two-dimensional pieces.   Preston donated the wax sculpt to Cahokia Mounds to keep on display in the museum and felt that it should be here where our visitors can enjoy it.

 

Winter Lecture Series March 19, 2 pm

March 19 will be the final installment of the 2017 Winter Lecture Series.   This presentation will discuss the changes occurring at Angel Mounds, Indiana.  William Monaghan, PhD Indiana Geological Survey, Indiana University-Bloomington and Jeremy J. Wilson, PhD, Department of Anthropology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) will be presenting “Anthropogenic Transformation and Population Processes at Angel Mounds: The Founding, Flourishment and Final Days of a Mississippian Village”.

Abstract: Since 2005, archaeological investigations at Angel Mounds, a Mississippian village along the Ohio River in southwest Indiana, have tackled a series of questions related to anthropogenic transformation, the timing of fortification construction, and the use-life for various habitation components of the site. Collectively this research aims to understand the intensity and trajectory of population-level processes at the site from its founding in the 11th century through abandonment in the early 15th century. The well-controlled chronology and developmental history for Angel Mounds derived from a decade of excavations and re-analysis of collections shows that the site underwent different developmental phases. The first occurred AD 1070-1250 with the site serving as an unfortified, ceremonial center with intensive earthwork construction, but few permanent residents. The second phase included the development a fortified village and increased residential population after AD 1300. Meanwhile, the abandonment of Angel Mounds in the early 15th century is attributed to increasing socio-political instability triggered by escalating levels of regional warfare and climatic unpredictability associated with the onset of the Little Ice Age.

For more information regarding this event, contact the Information Desk at 618-346-5160.

We’re in the Book!

Cahokia Mounds is listed as one of the 1000 Places to See in the United States and Canada by Patricia Schultz.  This is book is available at retailers everywhere and is a #1 New York Times Bestseller!

Painting With a Purpose Fundraiser

Join us for a fun new way to support Cahokia Mounds!  The Museum Society is hosting a fundraiser at Painting with a Twist, 3760 Green Mt. Crossing Dr., Shiloh, IL on January 14, from 1-4 pm.  The fee is $35.  All supplies are provided and their artist will guide the instruction step-by-step so there is no need for experience!  Children 7 and up are welcome to register.  Painting with a Twist will donate HALF of all registrations to Cahokia Mounds!   You will be painting your very own winter scene and supporting cultural preservation and interpretation.  There are only 45 available spots in the studio so join us on January 14 and paint with a PURPOSE!  Register by going to www.paintingwithatwist.com/shiloh/.

Linda T. from Shannon, IL Wins Quilt!

Linda T. from Shannon, IL won the raffle for the Cahokia Mounds T-Shirt Quilt.  Congratulations to Linda who traveled from the northern edge of Illinois to Cahokia Mounds to visit the site!  We appreciate your support!

Groupon Offer

We offer a great Groupon offer to visit Cahokia Mounds!  There are two offers; one is for 2 iPod tours plus a souvenir guide book and tote for $10, and the other is for 4 iPod tours plus souvenir guide book and tote for $13.  These offers are transferable, and we will honor them after the expiration date.   We have sold over 1300 of these offers and have a 94% positive feedback rating on the offer.  Simply go to Groupon.com and search for ‘Cahokia Mounds’ to get yours!  It’s a great way to experience the site and includes outdoor audio tours to augment the Interpretive Center Gallery.

“get to know m.e.” Bench

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site receives “Get to know m.e.” bench.

Created by the 2015 “Get to know m.e.” campaign, the regional image campaign that celebrates why people love living and working in the Metro-East.  Thirty-nine blue steel benches were donated to area public places complimentary of the campaign.  Parks, town squares, historical sites, bike trails, and scenic views are now locations of the Metro-East celebratory benches.