Exhibitions
The Illinois State Museum's extensive collections can be seen in both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Permanent exhibitions are always available, while temporary exhibitions rotate every few months.
Permanent Exhibits
Temporary Exhibits
Wildlife Around Us
First Floor Hot Science Gallery
People have changed our landscapes, and our wildlife neighbors are affected. The Illinois State Museum’s new exhibition Wildlife Around Us, showcases the features and behaviors that help many native species live alongside humans. It also presents information on threatened animals returning to Illinois and how people might consider their impact and foster a better, coexisting environment.
Growing Up X
Second Floor Gallery
Museum visitors will see items familiar to anyone who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, from telephones with cords, record and cassette players, and an Apple IIe computer to Teddy Ruxpin and parachute pants. Additionally, they will learn how growing up in the shadow of the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the AIDS crisis and the War on Drugs shaped Gen Xers as individuals and a generation.