IAM on the Road - Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail

Join the Illinois Association of Museum and the Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Starting at 9:30am meet at the historic overlook for a historic overview of the site followed by a walk down to the historic fort. Fort Kaskaskia was constructed by the French ca. 1759 to defend the town of Kaskaskia. Founded in 1703, the town was for more than a century the region’s principal commercial center, also serving from 1818 to 1820 as the first capital of Illinois. The small fort, containing only a three-room barrack and a kitchen, was apparently never fully completed. The fort was periodically occupied by French or U.S. troops until 1807 and sheltered local settlers during Indian scares rising from the War of 1812.

Following the Fort site visit, attendees will be invited to walk an additional 200 steps to the Pierre Menard Home, or drive to the site located at 4230 Kaskaskia Rd, Ellis Grove, where we will learn about the Museum and home and site improvements recently completed and underway.

When the program wraps up around noon, attendees are invited to network at lunch at the historic St. Nicholas Landmark in Chester (www.stnicholasbrewco.com/snbclandmark).

In the afternoon stay and appreciate other local landmarks and historic sites nearby while using the new Illinois America 250 Passport which all attendees will receive that day.