The Illinois State Museum and the Illinois Association of Museums are pleased to present a virtual exhibition titled The Story of Illinois: The Illinois Bicentennial Through Museum Objects. This exhibition consists of objects from the Illinois State Museum’s 13.5-million-object Illinois Legacy Collection along with objects from other Illinois museums, such as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Adler Planetarium, Pullman State Historic Site, Wabash County Museum, and many more.
The complete Story of Illinois goes beyond the 200 years since statehood. It also includes Illinois history and prehistory covering millions of years. Museums throughout Illinois continue to contribute object images with fascinating details that illustrate their significance to the Story of Illinois. Taken together, objects in these collections run the gamut from 400-million-year-old marine fossils to modern art, with millions of objects in between, each with its own story to tell. It is a unique treasure, and it is the foundation of exhibits, educational programs, scholarly research, and pride throughout the state.
This link takes you to the Website for the Virtual Exhibit and Object viewing.
What Can I Discover Lesson Plan - This lesson plan uses the "see, think, wonder, discover" concept to help students learn about history by looking at objects from the past. The website also has many objects from natural sciences allowing the lesson to be used for science study. Adapted from Library of Congress activities of looking at primary sources.
What Can I Discover Worksheet - Worksheet to go with the lesson plan above.
Exploring Activity for Upper Elementary - This search allows students to look at the site to find examples of objects, draw their favorite, and make a birthday card to the State of Illinois based on what they learn.
Exploring the Story of Illinois - This search has students exploring the site through finding one item in each catagory.
What Can I Discover Lesson Plan - This lesson plan uses the "see, think, wonder, discover" concept to help students learn about history by looking at objects from the past. The website also has many objects from natural sciences allowing the lesson to be used for science study. Adapted from Library of Congress activities of looking at primary sources.
What Can I Discover Worksheet - Worksheet to go with the lesson plan above.
Exploring Activity for Secondary - Students explore objects of their choosing and explain the importance of those objects.