The Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is an iconic attraction that serves as a tourism hotspot for thousands of people each year. Visitors from all 50 states and from over 80 countries come to our region to visit Cahokia Mounds annually – some people come with some knowledge of the site, but many do not.

The knowledge portion is what makes the Interpretive Center at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site so important. The facility has obviously aged since it was built in 1988, so in March of 2022 the Interpretive Center closed for renovations. The goal was to have everything complete so that the facility could open in the spring of 2023, but Belknap says the timeline has extended.

“There were two Capital Development Board projects on tap, a new roof and a mechanical renovation project. The roof has been completed, but the mechanical renovation project is still in the architect/engineering stage, prior to it going to bid.  It will likely begin in early spring and is a 365 day project, pushing our reopen date to spring 2024,” Belknap adds.

Besides the new roof, the public can expect new climate control, improved emergency lighting, improved fire safety and security measures, fresh paint in the Gallery, and some modifications to the exhibits with new interpretive material. The Theatre in the Interpretive Center will also reopen for folks to experience the orientation film – City of the Sun.

“That’s going to be really important because that’s the first stop for people,” Belknap explains. “We usually guide them to start in the orientation show, which is a 15-minute-long video that kind of goes over the whole culture, what we know about the culture that lived here and gives you a good basis for which to start touring the site, the gallery, and the grounds.”

Although the Interpretive Center will be closed all year, the grounds are open daily from dawn until dusk.  When the construction begins, the only parking lot available will be the Monks Mound parking lot. Beginning in early spring, the site will be offering outdoor tours by RSVP given by interpretive staff of the grounds and Monks Mound, twice per day – weather permitting.  There are also still plenty of events that folks can mark on their calendars as well.

“We will still hold sunrise observances at Woodhenge on the Sunday closest to the celestial events. On November 11th, we will hold our annual City of the Sun 5K,” Belknap adds.

If you do plan on visiting Cahokia Mounds, here is a pro-tip. They have an augmented reality app available that you can download on your phone, and then use it to experience the site while you’re exploring.

“The AR tour consists of 2 locations; Monks Mound tour starts at the Informational sign at the Monks Mound parking lot and the Grand Plaza segment begins on the west side of the Interpretive Center,” says Belknap. “Purchase the download by searching for “Cahokia AR Tour” at the Google Play or Apple App Store for $4.99, then scan the image on the concrete markers positioned at each stop, follow the directions, and watch the site populate on the screen of your device.  There are also talking segments as you walk between the markers that discusses other aspects of the site.  The AR Tour shows what once stood where only the mounds remain, such as a temple that once stood on top of Monks Mound, and the Stockade as it was 1,000 years ago.”

Even though the Interpretive Center is closed, the Site is still providing Interpretive programming, education tubs, fundraising events, and they will begin walking tours in the spring.  The support group is hard at work supporting the site and still relies on Gift Shop Sales (available via the Website), memberships, and donations to provide outreach and educational funding.   For more information visit www.cahokiamounds.org or call 618-346-5160/618-344-9221.