Illinois State Museum

Something new is at ISM! Resilient Nature is opening tomorrow on the second floor.

Our team is looking forward to being a part of the Route 66 Monarch Festival! Be sure to put it on your calendar so you can join us:
Saturday, September 12
2:00-8:00 pm
Illinois State Fairgrounds
Free admission

Join the Illinois State Museum, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Monarch Project, and a host of community partners as we celebrate Illinois' state insect, and everyone's favorite garden visitor, the Monarch Butterfly! Enjoy FREE games, activities, giveaways, and more at this community event - rain or shine! Visitors will also be treated to a FREE screening of the Disney-Pixar Movie "Cars" from 6- 8 PM.

Image: Flyer for the Route 66 Monarch Festival, featuring three cartoon monarch butterflies driving a convertible on Route 66.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Illinois State Museum Visit Springfield The Old State Capitol Foundation Dana-Thomas House Foundation Vachel Lindsay Association

Don't forget to visit the ISM and see our America's Elephant exhibit on the first floor. In that exhibit you can learn more about what mastodons ate!

To learn more about our temporary exhibits visit: https://www.illinoisstatemuseum.org/welcome-ism-springfield/exhibitions-page.html

ISM is excited to welcome Tom to the Museum! Tom recently joined our staff as a guard.

Tom is from Taylorville, and worked at Ahlstrom for 26 years prior to joining the ISM. Tom loves sports and is a Bears fan. He is excited to work at the Museum.

Please join us in welcoming Tom to the team!

Stop by the Illinois State Fair today and visit the ISM at the First Lady’s tent. While there, make some art, play with our bubble table and even try your hand at a game of Illinois Guess Who!

ISM is out at the fair! Join us at the First Lady’s Tent!

Don’t forget to check out Conservation World at the State Fair!

Heading to the 2026 Illinois State Fair? Don’t miss out on the fun at Conservation World! Enjoy archery and BB gun ranges, fishing for all ages and abilities, the exciting Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, and chat with friendly IDNR biologists and Illinois Conservation Police officers. Plus, you can grab your hunting and fishing licenses, enjoy live music, and treat yourself to some tasty food. See you there!

Our art projects are ready and so are we! Stop by the Illinois State Fair and make some art with ISM! We are located in the First Lady’s Tent