We collect within our scope, which includes human cultures and natural environments of Illinois. We collect art, artifacts , fossils , and other geological and natural history specimens that further our knowledge of Illinois. Individual people donate family objects to the museum. For example, Mr. Albert Small's children gave the museum three quilts that he made in the 1930s and 1940s. The Museum curators purchase some objects that will add valuable information to the collection.
Museum curators go into the field to collect from natural sites and from archaeological sites.
Researchers who work for the museum and researchers from outside the museum use the collections to compare to other collections they study increase their knowledge of Illinois history and natural history help them write papers and books on topics represented in the collections create exhibits for the museum and for other museums get accurate information for scientific paintings, dioramas, and illustrations. They preserve the objects carefully in climate-controlled storage areas. They protect the objects on exhibit with special furniture and equipment. They restore and repair objects when necessary. For example, the decorative arts curator arranged for the restoration of a child's wagon so it could go on exhibit.