Dickson Mounds Museum offers a wide range of special exhibits and public programs throughout the year -- on archaeology, Indian cultures of the Americas, natural history, and rural life and culture. Programs include workshops, demonstrations, performances, conferences, and festivals -- many of which are held outdoors. Most events are free to the public.
Special Programs
Dickson Mounds Museum Programs
February 6, 2010 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Eagle Days Festival
A full day of eagle related activities, exhibits, and live bird presentations. Awards presentation for art competition at 4:00 p.m.
All Events at Dickson Mounds Museum unless otherwise noted.
8:00 a.m. - Noon: Eagle Viewing—Havana River Front
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Student Eagle Art / Poetry Exhibit and Fulton & Mason Co. Art Councils Illinois Wildlife Photography Show
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Birds in the Past Scavenger Hunt
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Activities for Youth
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Wild birds up close, Wildlife Prairie Park
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Local Bird watching information and images
10:30 a.m.: Live Raptor Program, Illinois Raptor Center, Free Admission, Ticket Entry
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Lunch available at Snack Bar, Proceeds benefit Mason & Fulton Co. Arts Councils
Noon: Movie - Fly Away Home
2:30 p.m.: Live Raptor program, Illinois Raptor Center, Free Admission, Ticket Entry
4:00 p.m.: Eagle Arts & Poetry Awards Ceremony
February 21, 2010 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Annual Artifact Identification Day
Experts will be on hand to identify your artifacts, fossils, and bones. Details to be announced.
Dickson Mounds Museum Partner Programs
10th Annual Eagle Days Festival Art Competition Announcement
The 10th Annual Eagle Days Festival Art Competition sponsored by the Mason County Arts Council, Fulton County Arts Council, Dickson Mounds Museum, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Havana Public Library, Emiquon Audubon Society, and The Nature Conservancy is now open to all students in Grades 1-12 in Mason and Fulton Counties. Deadline for completed artwork will be January 13, 2010. Awards in each category will be given during a special presentation at Dickson Mounds Museum on February 6, 2010, at 4 p.m. Winning artwork will be on display at Dickson Mounds Museum. Click here for more information.
In the Special Exhibits Gallery
Opening in March 2010 ...
From Humble Beginnings: Lincoln's Illinois 1830-1861
A selection of materials from the Illinois State Museum's exhibit celebrating the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth. More details to be announced.
In the Museum Lobby ...
Illinois River Bison Discovery
The partial skeleton of a bison found along the banks of the Illinois River is featured in a display about recent excavations at a bison kill site located south of Peoria, Illinois. This discovery represents the earliest evidence of bison hunting in Illinois. Radiocarbon dates of the bones place the kill at about 400 years B.C. Heretofore, bison populations were not thought to have arrived in the Illinois country before 1500 A.D.
Hickory Ridge Coffeehouse
Performances by noted folk musicians the third Saturday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Hosted by singer-songwriter Chris Vallillo. Admission: $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children. For more information check the Hickory Ridge Coffeehouse homepage.
February 20, 2010 2:00 p.m.
Special Family Show at Hickory Ridge
The Hickory Ridge Concert Series will present a kids/family show with nationally known singer-songwriter Chip Richter. Chip serves up stories, songs, and smiles "Family Style" and his concerts feature something on the menu for everyone. It's a recipe for "more fun than a kid should be allowed to have" as Chip delivers healthy portions of love and laughter for all ages to enjoy!
Chip's concerts always contain a wonderful element of fun, tons of laughter and audience participation. Touring nationally as a solo artist, Chip's delightful performances are filled with his gentle spirit, pleasant and winsome style, and an unmistakable connection with family audiences. He brings a clear message of love and laughter encouraging families to be all they were intended to be. His mission is to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; encouraging love and communication expressed through healthy family life and family relationships.
This special program will take place at 2:00 PM in the auditorium of the Dickson Mounds Museum and will replace the usual Saturday night concert for February. Admission $3.00 for kids, $5.00 for adults. Auditorium doors open at 1:30, but come early and visit the museum. Free cookies will be served after the show!
The Hickory Ridge Concert Series is hosted by singer-songwriter Chris Vallillo. Concerts are typically held the 3rd Saturday of every month at Dickson Mounds Museum. Sitting is limited to the first 150 people.
A.D.
Mountain and Hammered Dulcimer Workshops
Saturdays: March 27, May 15, September 4, and November 13, 2010
Mountain Dulcimer Workshops
Beginners: 10:00 - Noon. Mike Anderson teaches Dulclimer basics; Mixolydian (DAD) tuning, strumming, the Bom-Diddy & new songs.
Intermediate to Advanced: 1:30-3:30 pm. Mixolydian (DAD) tuning with picking, chords, hammer-on and pull-offs.
Class fee is $20.00 per person. It is important to know in advance, either by email or by phone call if you plan to attend the workshop so we can have enough materials for everyone.
Phone: Steve Endsley at 309-668-2362
E-mail: Steve at: sraendsley@sybertech.net
Saturdays: March 6, 2010 and October 23, 2010
Hammered Dulcimer Workshops
All day session with Judy Schmidt.
First Half: 10:00 - Noon
Lunch Break: Noon - 1:30. Bring Sack Lunch
Second Half: 1:30-3:30pm. Concentration on Novice to Intermediate
Class fee is $30.00 for all day per person. It is important to know in advance, either by email or by phone call if you plan to attend the workshop so we can have enough materials for everyone.
Phone: Steve Endsley at 309-668-2362
E-mail: Steve at: sraendsley@sybertech.net
Illinois Valley Archaeological Society (IVAS)
IVAS hosts archaeology lectures at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month, unless otherwise listed. Meeting times and dates may change due to program availability. IVAS programs are free of charge and the public is welcome. Refreshments will be served following the program.
To be placed on the monthly IVAS program announcement list click here. For more information call the Museum at 309-547-3721. Click here for a listing of past IVAS programs. IVAS is a chapter of the Illinois Association for the Advancement of Archaeology (IAAA). For more information on the IAAA click here.
2009 Program Schedule
January 6, 2009 - In Search of Kaskaskia Cemeteries. Dawn Cobb, Michael Wiant, Kelvin Sampson, and Nick Klobuchar
February 3, 2009 - Big Eddy: A Stratified Paleoindian Site in Southwest Missouri. Dr. Michael Conner.
February 21, 2009 - The Grand Village of the Kickapoo and the tribe's role in early 19th century Illinois History. Dr. R. David Edmunds at McLean County History Museum, Bloomington, Illinois; by carpool, members only
February 22, 2009 - Artifact Identification Day; Afternoon Presentation: Artifacts from the Illinois State Museum Collection, Dr. Michael Wiant
March 3, 2009 - The Clyde Meador Dugout Canoe: Floating the LaMoine to the Past, Alan Harn
April 7, 2009 - 7 April: The Aztec World, Dr. Jonathan Reyman
April 11 or 18, 2009 - Field Trip: The Aztec World, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois; by motorcoach, open to the public.
Illinois Association for Advancement of Archaeology Annual meeting
May 5, 2009 -The Archaeology of Emiquon, Alan Harn and Sally McClure
June 2, 2009 - Morton Site Research, Dr. Michael Conner and Dr. Jodie O'Gorman.
June 20 or 27, 2009 - Field trip: Morton site tour; by carpool to Morton site, members only
July 11, 2009 - Saturday - Workshop: Developing an On-line Artifact Type Collection, Dickson Mounds archaeologists
August 4 , 2009 -: Dr. Michael Wiant, Dickson Mounds Museum Director, will give a presentation on the Black Hawk War.
September 2009 - Archaeology Awareness Month Field trip: Rock River Archaeology and History: Rock Island, Prophetstown, Sterling (Sinissippi Mounds), Stillman Valley, and more; by carpool, members only
October 6, 2009 - IVAS member presentation
November 7, 2009 - Saturday - Workshop: Developing an On-line Artifact Type Collection, Dickson Mounds archaeologists
December 1, 2009 - The 2009 Morton Site Excavation. Dr. Michael Conner.
