Do you think you have what it takes to be a voyageur? Can you properly pack a canoe? Trade goods? Navigate the wilderness? During this Living History Encounter, you will meet voyageurs and settlers who journeyed to this land and made it home. Learn about their journeys
Calling all families with preschoolers! Join us for a hands-on program designed for your little one. This program is geared toward children ages 2 to 5 and is complete with tons of facts, singing, story time, table activities and crafts. Registration required by Tuesday, Sept. 2: 815-722-9301.
Have you ever wondered what's going on in our 18th-century Traders Cabin or wanted to peek inside the replica Native American longhouse above the pollinator garden? This is your chance to explore all the buildings at Isle a la Cache Museum and learn about the Potawatomi and
Hang out with a naturalist as we chat about all things nature while getting crafty! Create a collage and interpret nature your way while staying cool from that summer heat. All materials provided. This is a drop-in program. All ages
Do you like to draw, doodle or document? Do you like to be outside? Join us while we creatively connect to the outdoors! All skill levels welcome. A naturalist will lead guided exercises and answer questions. Each participant will get their own nature journal as part of
Do you like to draw, doodle or document? Do you like to be outside? Join us while we creatively connect to the outdoors! All skill levels welcome. A naturalist will lead guided exercises and answer questions. Each participant will get their own nature journal as part of
What insects do we have crawling or flying around at Isle a la Cache? Come out to get a closer look by using sweep nets and bug boxes, observe pinned specimens and learn the difference between insects, bugs and arachnids. All equipment is provided, and all insects
Have you ever wondered what's going on in our 18th-century Traders Cabin or wanted to peek inside the replica Native American longhouse above the pollinator garden? This is your chance to explore all the buildings at Isle a la Cache Museum and learn about the Potawatomi and
Join Illinois’ most pre-eminent bird man as he recalls the history of the Audubon Society and the evolution of bird watching as it grew from a hobby to a scientific discipline. Hear stories that illuminate our legacies as bird watchers, namely creating a cadre of community scientists,
Join Brian Fox Ellis on a bird hike through Isle a la Cache Preserve, where there is a wonderful mix of forest-dwelling songbirds and river-related water birds. Fox is an internationally acclaimed author, storyteller, historian and naturalist. He is the director of membership and outreach for the
Check out what’s living in the water at Isle a la Cache. Use dip nets and scopes to get an up-close look at the creatures that live in the water. This is a drop-in program; come any time between 1 and 3 p.m. No registration required. Wear
Have you ever wondered what’s going on in our 18th-century Traders Cabin or wanted to peek inside the replica Native American longhouse above the pollinator garden? This is your chance to explore all the buildings at Isle a la Cache Museum and learn about the Potawatomi and
Discovery Isle: Animal Architects How do bird nests not fall apart? What exactly do dens look like inside? How strong are beaver dams? Come out to Isle a la Cache and discover just how some of our local wildlife build and use their homes. This is a
Get a head start on celebrating Pollinator Week 2025 at this family-friendly event! Learn about the insects and animals that perform the important task of pollinating plants, especially those that provide us with much of the food we eat. See live bats and learn about their roles
Experience local history up close and personal. Discover the little critters that enriched – and even made life possible – in the 18th century: pollinators that made food possible, bees that provided honey and wax, beetles that made vibrant textiles, even yeast for bread. Learn all about
Junior naturalists will take a deep dive into rivers — what a river is, which rivers flow through Will County and just what critters are living in and around them! Participants will play some games and do some scientific work. Registration required by Thursday, June 5: 815-722-9301.
Calling all families with preschoolers! Join us for a hands-on program designed for your little one. This program is geared toward children ages 2 to 5 and is complete with tons of facts, singing, story time, table activities and crafts. Children must be accompanied by a registered
This ongoing program runs from Wednesday, April 2, to Sunday, June 22. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays. Pollinators are an essential part of the natural world. One in three bites of food we eat depends on pollinators. From butterflies and bees to
There is a big, beautiful world of birds, and we are going to learn all about them! Junior naturalists will learn about different species of birds found here in Will County, their calls, their adaptations and some clues to spotting them in the wild. Participants will play
March is Women's History Month! Let's celebrate all the boss women from the 17th to 19th century fur trade — the smugglers and traders, the translators and economic powerhouses, the guides and providers who were so much more than the nagging wife portrayed by later historians. Fee:
Wondering what tallow is? Come out to Isle a la Cache to learn what it is, how it was made and what it was used for during the 18th century. During Living History Encounters, you may find cooks, seamstresses, voyageurs, soldiers or craftsmen sharing their talents. Fee:
Cozy up around a fire in the Trader’s Cabin to listen to stories from Illinois Country: French folktales, Potawatomi stories and more! Stretch your legs for a short walking break. Can we find any critters featured in the tales? After the storyteller is finished, enjoy the warmth
Grab your sisters, girlfriends or best gal pals and celebrate Galentine’s Day with some botanical inspired mocktails! During this program, guests will make different mocktails, learn about their connections to the preserves and explore the museum after hours. Light snacks will be provided. $5 per person -
Calling all families with preschoolers! Join us for a hands-on program designed for your little one. This program is geared toward children ages 2 to 5 and is complete with tons of facts, singing, story time, table activities and crafts. Check out “Smokey Bear: The Rudy Wendelin
Birdwatch with hot, fresh-brewed, bird-friendly coffee from the comfort of the Isle a la Cache library. \Chat about the birds that show up at the feeders through the picture windows and enjoy the company of others over morning muffins. Registration required by Friday, Jan. 31: 815-722-9301.