Dickson Mounds

Join us for the annual Fulton-Mason Eagle Day event. Activities include live raptor programs, hands-on activities and crafts for kids, and bird watching in various locations in Lewistown and Havana, Illinois. The event is free and for all ages.

World Bird Sanctuary's Raptor Awareness programs will be held at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. in the Dickson Mounds auditorium.  Tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Dickson Mounds, the day of the event.  Tickets cannot be reserved in advance.  Seating is limited.  Admission is free.

Visit experienceemiquon.com for more information and a schedule of the day's activities.

Sponsored by the City of Lewistown, City of Havana, Forbes Biological Station, Havana Oktoberfest Committee, Illinois River Biological Station, Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway, Illinois State Museum-Dickson Mounds, Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon, The Nature Conservancy, USFWS Illinois River Refuges Complex, Lewistown Chamber of Commerce, Spoon River Electric Coop, and Plum Hill Vacation Rental Properties. Activities and displays contributed by the Astoria High School's Environmental Club, Havana Park District, Emiquon Audubon, Mason County Arts Council, the University of Illinois Extension's Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists, and USFWS Carterville FWCP Wilmington Substation.

Join us for an afternoon with Kevin Wright, one of the photographers of the Museum’s latest temporary exhibit, “The Wandering Flatlanders – A Photographic Journey for Illinois Wildlife.”

Canton resident and award-winning freelance outdoor writer and wildlife photographer Kevin Wright will present information and share his stories on how he captures some of these great images.  Kevin’s work has appeared in numerous regional and national magazines and web sites.  In addition, he has a long-running outdoor column in the Canton Daily Ledger.

Admission is free.  Light refreshments will be served.

Museum staff and other experts will be available to identify your artifacts, rocks, fossils, animal bones, and perhaps anything else you may be curious about.  If you don’t have any items to identify, be sure to stop in any way to see these artifacts and live demonstrations.

Adults and their tots will have fun exploring, discovering, and learning on the first Thursday of the month in the Museum’s Discovery Center.  Spend quality time with your tot, while each of you makes new friends.  A different topic and craft will be featured each month. Registration is not required and admission is free.  Participants will enjoy light refreshments.  The program begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. with the program portion lasting approximately thirty minutes followed by crafts, snacks, and time to explore the Museum.

On March 7th, the program will focus on birds.  Learn about a variety of birds and the importance of a bird’s home.  Tots and their caretakers may enjoy a story and the chance to work together to build their very first birdhouse!  Assembly requires no hammers, nails, or screws, just white glue! It's as easy as building-blocks and can be finished in less than five minutes.  The birdhouse may be taken home and used in your own backyard for the Spring nesting season.

The 2019 Tot Time program series is sponsored by Spoon River Electric’s Operation Round-up grant, Canton Chamber of Commerce, Havana National Bank, Lewistown VFW Post 5001 Auxiliary, Rusty Melhouse of Edward Jones, and Jeff and Linda Sisson of Havana.  The Tot Time program series continuously seeks sponsors.  Please contact Curator of Education Christa Christensen at 309-547-3721 for more information.

For more than 20 years, people have gathered at Dickson Mounds on the third Saturday of every month for an evening of musical entertainment. Hosted by Chris Vallillo, an accomplished musician and performer in his own right, the series features Roots/Folk music and other genres offered by a talented variety of performers.

On March 16, Eric Lambert and Chris Vallillo will perform.

Eric Lambert and Chris Vallillo have been collaborating on multiple projects recently including Vallillo’s Oh Freedom! and the Illinois Turns 200 Concerts. They will join forces for and evening of original and traditional Midwestern Folk and some amazing guitar work.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Adults $10, kids $5. Visit http://ginridge.com/extras/hickory-ridge-concert-series/for information about the artists.