Exploring Native American Historic Sites and Museums in Wisconsin and Illinois

Jul 6, 2023

It was most recently the 4th of July, where we celebrated some great milestones in American history and many of us are feeling very patriotic about our home. In keeping with that thought, we’re honoring the history of this land even further with a travel guide dedicated to incredible Native American Historic Sites to explore over the next few months. This summer, spend some time getting up close and personal with more history lessons through tours, hikes, museums, and other events that highlight the incredible, beautiful culture of the different tribal groups and indigenous peoples of America!

Did you know that Waukegan was once the site of the Potawatomi Native American settlement known as “Little Fort”? That’s right! Our own hometown here was the site of a French trading post and Native American settlement. The Waukegan Historical Society is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and share the history of our town. The Waukegan History Museum is operated as a joint effort from the Waukegan Park District and Historical Society, and is a great place to learn about regional heritage and history!

Worth a little road trip is the Mitchell Museum of The American Indian, focusing exclusively on teh culture, heritage and history of North American Native Americans. From July 14th through the 16th this year, “The Sweetest Season: A Gathering of Indigenous Creativity” is returning to the museum! Featuring spoken word and song, workshops, readings, art and vendors, and a Native-Curated gathering! Current exhibitions include “No Rest: The Epidemic of Stolen Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2Spirits”, intended to remember, honor, and share the stories of Native individuals who go missing or are murdered, through a blend of displays merging art with activism.

Lewistown, Illinois is home to the Dickson Mounds State Museum, preserving the history and cemeteries, burial mounds, and sacred grounds of Native Americans. You’ll have a chance to explore more than 12,000 years of regional history, archaeological finds, and explore a series of rotating exhibits, thanks to dedicated work of locals and the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.

The Cahokia Mounds and Museum are located on the remains of a prehistoric native civilization, sprawling more than 2,000 acres of land. Explore the archaeological finds, walk the hiking trails, visit the nature/culture trail, and get in touch with local history! You can schedule group or individual guided tours and listen to educational lectures and informational walk-and-talks. Explore the mounds, the central palisade, the stockade, woodhenge, and more!

The Museum of Milwaukee in Wisconsin is home to a permanent collection of life-sized figures, drums, and ceremonial dress commemorating the 7 tribes of Wisconsin and the local Native American communities in “A Tribute to Survival” exhibit. Temporary exhibitions such as “Native Games” explore the history and culture of tribal peoples including games, sociopolitical aspects, community gatherings, and more. It’s a wonderful option for year round history exploration!

The Hoard Historical Museum is home to the “Mysteries of the Mounds Gallery” highlighting archaeological finds, educational videos, a replica of a keyhole pithouse from Late Woodland Camp, and tours of the nearby Mounds sites as well as suggestions for what to see at The Effigy Mounds Preserve and Aztalan State Park.

The Door County Historical Museum in Sturgeon Bay is a jam-packed, intimate history museum perfect for all ages, and a wonderful stop on your Summer road trip to the area. You’ll find wonderful displays highlighting the region’s wonderful local wildlife, historic Native American archaeological finds and cultural artifacts and lessons, and a more in depth look at Door County’s local history. And while you’re in town, head over to the Cardy Paleo-Indian Site to learn more about the Native Americans who lived and worked in this area more than 10,000 years ago! This archaeological site is within walking distance of Glacial Lake Algonquin, and is one of the most important archaeological finds in the region. Whitefish Dunes State Park is another wonderful Sturgeon Bay site where you can see a recreation of a Native American settlement including replica wigwams, prehistoric tools, and hand-painted murals depicting the lives of past local inhabitants on this land that was once home to 8 different groups like the Potawatomi, Winnebago, Ojibwe, Sauk, Menominee, and more.

Egg Harbor, WI is home to the site of Chief OshKosh’s Trading Post, a Menominee Nation icon and advocate of the local peoples, sometimes referred to as the “First ambassador” of Door County. The trading post and other structures built by the chief are still standing today, on the banks of a creek, nestled in a wooded glen, where you can still buy jewelry, books, art, baskets and other artifacts.