exterior of the university museum behind trees in early autumn colors

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About Our Museum

First opened as a natural history museum in 1874, the University Museum at Southern Illinois University Carbondale has evolved into a teaching museum that represents the humanities, the sciences and the arts. While our focus is on southern Illinois, our humanities collection includes ethnographic materials that allow us to share the world with a diverse campus and a region that is isolated from urban centers. With roughly 70,000 objects in our care, the University Museum captures and illuminates the human story, opening a window on who we are and where we came from.

Museum Hours

Tuesday - Friday: Noon - 4pm
Saturday: 1pm - 4pm
Sunday & Monday: Closed

Free and open to all.

The University Museum is closed to the public during all SIU breaks and holidays.


Public metered parking available across from the Student Center and beside Woody Hall.

Exhibits

North Hall

Mitchell Gallery

Continuum Gallery

Atrium Gallery

South Hall

the siuc university museum presents women's voices 3: make/believe in the mitchell gallery from february 7 - may 13, 2023,. an opening reception will be held on february 11, 2023, from 4:30-7:00 p.m.

donde esta mi hogar?, an mfa thesis exhibition by martha osornio ruiz will be displayed march 23-31, 2023, at the university museum. a closing reception will be held march 31 from 5-8pm with a performance starting at 7pm.

just keep moving, an mfa thesis exhibition by benjamin cornwell will be displayed march 21-24, 2023, at the university museum. a reception will be held on march 24 from 4:30-8pm.

The University Museum's online collections have moved to a new home. Our digital exhibitions and recorded artist's talks can be found on the Resources page through the main navigation menu.