Press Room --

Illinois State Museum Super Saturday: "All About Birds"

SPRINGFIELD- The May 14 Super Saturday at the Illinois State Museum will be All About Birds. From 10 am – 4 pm, children and their families will be treated to the usual Super Saturday fun games and hands-on crafts as well as a special guest. At 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, John James Audubon, played by renowned Peoria Storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis, will tell tales of his adventurous first trek across Illinois 200 years ago. At 2:30 pm, Mr. Audubon will give a tour of the Museum’s natural history exhibition Changes.

Participants will play a spring migration game and be treated to photos of birds that have recently arrived in Springfield, taken in the field by Museum researchers. Children can make an owl puppet and bird pop-up card, search the Museum’s Changes exhibition for fun bird facts, and more.

The programs by Brian “Fox” Ellis will kick off a week-long tour as he retraces the steps that Audubon took across the Prairie State.  Stops will include St. Genevieve, Chester, Murphysboro, Marion, Shawneetown, and Henderson. Audubon’s journey is being sponsored in part by the Illinois Humanities Council, Illinois Audubon Society, Illinois State Museum, and several historical societies, schools, and libraries. For more information on the tour, visit www.foxtalesint.com.

The Audubon programs will be of interest to children of all ages and their families. Super Saturday activities are designed especially for children 4-8 years old and can be completed in 30 to 45 minutes, although participants may stay as long as they wish. Parents are invited to participate with their children. The Super Saturday series is sponsored by Bank of Springfield. All programming is free and open to the public.

The Illinois State Museum promotes discovery, learning, and an appreciation of Illinois’ natural, cultural, and artistic heritage. The Museum’s extensive collections and research activities provide the foundation for exhibitions and public programs that tell the story of the land, life, people, and art of Illinois. The Illinois State Museum is located at 502 S. Spring Street (the corner of Spring and Edwards Streets) in Springfield, and is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5:00 p.m. Sunday.  Admission is free.  Parking is available nearby, and the building is ADA accessible.