SPRINGFIELD – Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville will join communities across the country for We Want More History, a nationwide celebration of history programming designed to connect people with stories about the places they call home.
As part of the celebration, Cahokia Mounds will host two presentations, “National American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and Cahokia Mounds” and “Life at Cahokia: America’s Largest Indigenous City,” from 10:45 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 26 in the Iseminger Auditorium at the site’s interpretive center.
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The programs will provide an opportunity for visitors to learn more about Cahokia’s history and the site’s compliance with NAGPRA. Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend. Admission is free and registration is not required.
We Want More History is a coordinated national celebration designed to strengthen civic health, build community connections, encourage dialogue and highlight the role of history in public life. The celebration, Sept. 25-27, coincides with National Public Lands Day and will bring together libraries, parks, museums, historic sites, schools and community organizations across the country for talks, exhibits, walking tours, community conversations, film screenings, storytelling events, hikes, paddles and other programs.
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is located eight miles from St. Louis at 30 Ramsey St. in Collinsville. The site grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk. Restrooms and a water fountain are available in the Monks Mound parking lot.
Guided tours can be scheduled by calling 618-346-5160. There is no admission fee, although suggested donations are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, $2 for students and $15 for families. For more information, call 618-346-5160.
About We Want More History
We Want More History is a nationwide celebration of history programming taking place Sept. 25-27, 2026. The initiative brings together libraries, parks, museums, historic sites, schools and community organizations to create opportunities for people to explore the stories of the places they call home.
The initiative is organized by the American Historical Association, Organization of American Historians, American Library Association, Urban Libraries Council, American Association for State and Local History, Association for Rural and Small Libraries, Association for the Study of African American Life and History, National Council for the Social Studies, National Council on Public History, Explore Kentucky and Yale University's Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance, and Abolition.
About IDNR
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources was established in 1925 as the Illinois Department of Conservation, bringing under one umbrella oversight of fish and game, forestry, public works, and lakes. Today, IDNR’s work encompasses management of about 400 sites across Illinois, including state parks and historic sites; wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and natural heritage; Lake Michigan water allocation and coastal management; conservation police; mines and minerals; oil and gas; issuance of licenses, permits, and numerous grants; the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta; and the Illinois State Museum. Visit https://dnr.illinois.gov and follow us on Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.
