The state’s Cahokia Mounds and Vandalia Statehouse historic sites are expanding their days of operation to better serve visitors, Illinois History Preservation Agency Director Heidi Brown-McCreery announced Monday.
“The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency constantly evaluates its resources and how we can best use them to serve our visitors. We’ve decided that it’s possible to offer an additional day of operations at these important and popular sites,” said Brown-McCreery. “I’m grateful to our hardworking staff for their willingness to go the extra mile for the families, students and tourists who want to explore Illinois history.”
Cahokia Mounds, former site of a vast Native American city, will now be open six days a week, Tuesday through Sunday. It had been operating five days a week.
The Vandalia Statehouse, where Abraham Lincoln served as a legislator, will operate five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday. Previously, it was open just four days a week.
The sites can now expand operations by adjusting schedules to use staff more effectively, filling vacant jobs and continuing to accept the generous help of volunteers.
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site preserves mounds created by the Mississippian people a thousand years ago. It was the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico and has been declared a world heritage site. It is located in Collinsville. For more, visitwww.CahokiaMounds.org.
Built in 1836, Vandalia Statehouse is the oldest surviving Illinois capitol building. It was in Vandalia that Lincoln began his career in government and first spoke out against slavery. For more, visit www.VandaliaIllinois.com.
The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency protects the state’s historic resources, which contribute to education, culture and the economy. Its sites include ancient burial mounds, forts and buildings erected by settlers, and homes connected to famous Illinoisans.
Learn more about IHPA at www.IllinoisHistory.gov, on Twitter and on Facebook.
