Visitors will be able to view this and other exhibits at the Illinois State Museum once again as the museum reopened to the public on July 2. The Springfield museum closed last fall from lack of funds. (Photo courtesy Illinois State Museum)

The Illinois State Museum in Springfield is one of a few state-run museum properties that are reopening throughout July.

The State Museum in Springfield held a Welcome Back! Celebration on July 2 with Interim Director Michael Wiant on hand, along with curators and research staff, to answer visitors’ questions about exhibits and provide a behind-the-scenes look.

In addition to the exhibits and programs, there was food, a lemonade stand and live music.

“We are excited to welcome the public back to the Illinois State Museum,” said IDNR Director Wayne Rosenthal in a released statement.  “The Illinois State Museum is the best place in Illinois for families from around the state and around the world to explore the rich history of our state.”

Visitors were encouraged to share their favorite moments of the day using the hashtag #BackatISM. The State Museum will be collecting and sharing these memories on social media.

On July 16, the Museum Memories Family Event will feature a photo booth where visitors can share their memories of the Illinois State Museum.

Memories will be collected and shared through video and social media. Visitors will also have the opportunity to contribute to a commemorative artwork, among other activities.

Other museums throughout the state will be holding similar celebrations with special events in the coming weeks.

Dickson Mounds Museum, which also opened on July 2, but will hold a special Summer Gathering

Dickson Mounds Museum, in Lewistown in southeastern Illinois, will hold a special Summer Gathering event on July 9 to mark it’s reopening. (Photo courtesy ISM0 Dickson Mounds)

event on July 9. Dickens Mounds is located at 10956 N. Dickson Mounds Road, in Lewistown.

During the Summer Gathering, museum curators and researchers will be on hand to answer questions about the exhibitions.

Visitors will also see finished components of the American Frontier Exhibit presently under construction.

The ISM Research and Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St., Springfield, on July 30 will host a behind-the-scenes tour. Visitors will be assigned times for tours throughout the day.

The Research and Collections Center is home to millions of objects that are part of the Museum’s permanent collection. These include fossils of Ice Age animals, Native American artifacts, artwork and historic artifacts from Illinois’ pioneer past. More information will be forthcoming on this event.

For more information on these and other upcoming events from Illinois museums, go to

www.illinoisstatemuseum.org or the Illinois State Museum Facebook page, www.facebook.com/IllinoisStateMuseum.

— State reopening some museums starting this week —