After 2 years of planning and 6 months of renovating the new permanent exhibit hall in the lower level of the Museum is open to the public. The multipurpose space serves as the Museum’s lecture hall, classroom area and features 26 new exhibits. 

A special thanks to our Museum Members’ contributions to this project. “The Rock & Mineral Experience” permanent exhibit was funded in part by the “Public Museum Capital Grant Program” Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois State Museum.

The Rock & Mineral Experience features petrified log weighing over 2 tons! The piece is polished on the top and is a perfect example of lapidary work. The photos on both the front and back of the intro island were taken courtesy of the National Park Service at the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.