Cahokia Mounds now offers multimedia tours of the Interpretive Center and site. This exciting project is made possible by the Cahokia Mounds Preservation Fund, which will be used to attract new visitors and enhance the visitor experience at Cahokia Mounds. The fund was established by former Illinois State Treasurer, Judy Baar Topinka and the commitment is being fulfilled by current treasurer, Alexi Giannoulias.

In August 2008 the project was competitively bid and the firm of Schwartz & Associates Creative was selected. Schwartz & Associates is an award-winning creative and media production company based in St. Louis, Missouri, serving businesses, associations, agencies and cultural institutions. They have completed major projects for the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, National Arbor Day Foundation, Frank Lloyd Wright house in Ebsworth Park, Forest Park Forever, Missouri Botanical Gardens, St. Louis Art Museum, the National Park Service and others.

The project, Exploring the City of the Sun, will use the iPod Touch and feature four tours: one of the Interpretive Center and three of the grounds… all available in English, German and Spanish. The tours will have both audio commentaries and visual components including photos, artwork, maps, and video. The outdoor tours will lead the user on three different journeys through ancient history – focusing on the Grand Plaza, Monks Mound and the Stockade Wall, and the ancient sun calendar, Woodhenge. Tours are $5 for adults and $4 for CMMS members and children.

The multimedia tours are the first of several planned projects made possible by the Cahokia Mounds Preservation Fund and promise to keep people coming back to Cahokia for new, exciting experiences. For a sneak peak click here.