December activities at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

COLLINSVILLE - Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site can help with holiday shopping, usher in the winter season, and help educators during the month of December.

Consider shopping at the Cahokia Mounds Gift Shop for unique holiday gifts. They carry a variety of Indian-made items, including pottery, jewelry, flutes, fetishes, baskets, kachinas, and more. The Gift Shop also has an excellent selection of books on Indians and archaeology for all readers. The shop is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

The Winter Solstice Sunrise Observance will be held at the reconstructed Woodhenge on Sunday, December 23 at 7 a.m. Woodhenge is one-half mile west of Monks Mound on Collinsville Road. An archaeologist will explain how the Woodhenges were discovered, how they work, and what we know about these monuments and the Mississippian Indians who built them. No ceremonies or rituals will be held.

A Teachers Workshop will be offered on Thursday, December 27 from 9 a.m. to noon. Teachers who want their classes to have a hands-on educational program in addition to their regular field trip visit to the site should participate in this workshop. Cahokia Mounds educators will explain the variety of classes available, as well as the kits and exhibits that may be checked out for classroom use for pre- or post-visit learning experiences. They will also conduct a guided tour of the exhibit gallery to familiarize the teachers with the displays, dioramas and murals. Teachers, group leaders, and program coordinators are required to attend one Teachers Workshop to qualify for one of the Educational Programs. There is no charge for the workshop and interested teachers should call (618) 346-5160 on Wednesdays to register.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, is just eight miles from downtown St. Louis in Collinsville, Illinois, off Interstates 55/70 (Exit 6) and I-255 (Exit 24) on Collinsville Road. Cahokia Mounds is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Mondays and Tuesdays. There is no admission fee but a suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children. For more information, call 618-346-5160 or go to www.cahokiamounds.com.