Illinois State Museum Society

The Illinois State Museum’s permanent and short-term exhibitions, extensive collections of over 12 million objects, and educational programs tell the story of the art, Native American heritage, history, and natural history of Illinois. We could not do any of this without the help of good volunteers.

The Illinois State Museum was founded in 1877. 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 are located across the state.