About
Museum of the Grand Prairie Youth & Public Programs offers engaging school programs, public programs, and virtual programs that include activities such as ARTIFACTS AND HISTORY TRIVIA NIGHT, WINTER ON THE LAKE, and OUTSIDE IN CHAMPAIGN FORESTS. The program also provides a digital tour and opportunities for research in collections.
• Schedule: Open in spring and fall from 1–5 p.m. every day, and in summer from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 1–5 p.m. on Sundays; closed in January, February, Easter, July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
• Price: As a facility of the tax-supported Champaign County Forest Preserve District, the museum is always free, with donations encouraged.
The Museum of the Grand Prairie was founded in 1968 and was called the Early American Museum for 40 years before changing its name in 2011 to reflect the county’s cultural and natural history. The museum’s mission is to collect Champaign County and East Central Illinois history for all generations, with a vision to inspire audiences to create connections to natural and cultural history. The Museum of the Grand Prairie has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1972 and has passed four reviews by the Alliance. The museum engages the community through collaboration with people in Champaign County and East Central Illinois. Leadership and staff for Museum of the Grand Prairie Youth & Public Programs include Director of Museum and Education Kamryn Suttinger, Youth Programs Manager Stacey Clementz, Public Programs Manager Chelsea Prahl, Curator of Collections & Exhibits Mark Hanson, and additional staff in collections, education, public programs, interpretation, and visitor services. The museum features award-winning exhibits, a special temporary exhibit called “A History of Healing” focusing on infectious diseases and community responses to defeat them, and the Doris K. Hoskins Archive available for research. All programming is aligned to learning standards, and most programs can be adjusted based on the audience. Tactile and audio experiences are incorporated into most exhibits, and iPads with headphones are available upon request for handheld information.
Last updated January 9, 2026.
• Schedule: Open in spring and fall from 1–5 p.m. every day, and in summer from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 1–5 p.m. on Sundays; closed in January, February, Easter, July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
• Price: As a facility of the tax-supported Champaign County Forest Preserve District, the museum is always free, with donations encouraged.
The Museum of the Grand Prairie was founded in 1968 and was called the Early American Museum for 40 years before changing its name in 2011 to reflect the county’s cultural and natural history. The museum’s mission is to collect Champaign County and East Central Illinois history for all generations, with a vision to inspire audiences to create connections to natural and cultural history. The Museum of the Grand Prairie has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1972 and has passed four reviews by the Alliance. The museum engages the community through collaboration with people in Champaign County and East Central Illinois. Leadership and staff for Museum of the Grand Prairie Youth & Public Programs include Director of Museum and Education Kamryn Suttinger, Youth Programs Manager Stacey Clementz, Public Programs Manager Chelsea Prahl, Curator of Collections & Exhibits Mark Hanson, and additional staff in collections, education, public programs, interpretation, and visitor services. The museum features award-winning exhibits, a special temporary exhibit called “A History of Healing” focusing on infectious diseases and community responses to defeat them, and the Doris K. Hoskins Archive available for research. All programming is aligned to learning standards, and most programs can be adjusted based on the audience. Tactile and audio experiences are incorporated into most exhibits, and iPads with headphones are available upon request for handheld information.
Last updated January 9, 2026.
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