Exhibits Some of the Fun you'll find!

Here's a look at our marquee areas of interest, though there's plenty to discover in addition to what you'll find here! For those who wish to know even more about our exhibits, we will be expanding this section in the near future. Stay tuned!

Ground Floor

Seed to Shelf

Seed to Shelf is a hands-on agriculture exhibit that traces the journey our food takes-- where it comes from and how it gets to the shelves of our local grocery stores. Featuring our ever popular Johnston's Market!

Super Service Center

Experience what it is like to work in an automotive shop at the Super Service Center. Featuring a kid-sized car on a lift so you can do repairs and maintenance on it--such as replacing the muffler or rotating the tires. There’s even a creeper that allows you to slide back and forth under the car for hard to reach repairs!

Water Table

Our 20 foot water table has multiple areas of interest as we track the distribution of soybean products from Central Illinois to the ports at the Gulf. Featuring a "You Are Here" light-up replica of the historic Staley building plus rainclouds, a working lock-and-dam system, a fog mushroom, and more! Presented via a partnership with the Illinois Soybean Association.

Second Floor

Healthy Habits

A portion of our second floor is dedicated to Healthy Habits, comprised of exhibits Healthy Mouth, HSHS Hospital, and A Peek Inside.

HSHS Hospital

Our Emergency Room puts you right into the action! Featuring an ambulance, X-Rays, and more. In cooperation with St. Mary's Hospital.

Healthy Mouth

Learn how to clean teeth so they stay pearly white in this over-sized mouth! Made possible with support from Jerger Pediatric Dentistry.

A Peek Inside

Our newest exhibit is all about eye health. Go inside an eyeball to learn how they work! In cooperation with Midwest Eye Foundation.

Ready. Set. Build!

Construction is the name of the game here. Plenty of places to climb, crawl, and slide around. And lots of building opportunities, including our awesomely lifesize EverBlocks! This re-imagined "Ready. Set. Build!" made possible thanks to: O’Shea Builders, Teamsters #916, Carpenters #270, Painters Union, Iron Workers #46, Bodine Electric, and Kenny’s Ace Hardware.

Paint Wall

Here we encourage you to paint on the walls! Explore your creative side while creating masterpieces on our plexiglass paint wall.

Mama Mia's Pizzeria & Gelato Stand

Our restaurant is the perfect destination for those who love to cook! Whip up a pizza and toss it in the oven, scoop up some delicious gelato, serve your customers then check them out at the register. Order up!

Young at Art

Draw, color, cut, fold, CREATE! Everything you need to make something is here, and when you're done you can hang it on our gallery wall!

CMofIL Theater

Our stage is fully operational and ready for a show. Pick your background, put on a costume, turn up the lights, open the curtain, and perform!

Also… For the Toddlers

Toddler Farm & Toddler Port

Areas designated specifically for our four and under set, one on each floor, each with it's own unique flavor and style of play!

HEROES HALL Calling all Heroes!

This immersive wing of the museum was made possible through a generous donation from and active collaboration with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.

Put on a uniform and crack actual cases while learning the ins and outs of what it takes to serve and protect a community. You can even jump into the cockpit of the Sheriff’s helicopter parked outside!

Main Floor

The ground level of Heroes Hall is the hub of all the action. Here you can gear up, find a case to crack, head to dispatch for additional assignments, look over clues in the Crime Lab, and check out an actual Sheriff's squad car! Plenty of additional things to discover, too.

Second Floor

There's more to explore upstairs: there are additional uniforms for you to wear, the Training Academy will ready you for action, you can look over some suspects in the Lineup, put criminals behind bars, and patrol the entire area via helicopter!