Black Hawk State Historic Site

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Black Hawk State Historic Site is a 213 acre park managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that showcases the fascinating cultural history and diverse natural resources of the Quad Cities. Explore hiking trails along the Rock River and through the nature preserve. Discover the history of Black Hawk and the Sauk and Meskwaki people by visiting the John Hauberg Museum. Reserve the beautiful Watch Tower Lodge (built by the Civilian Conservation Corps) for your next big event.

Oct
10

Holey Stumpkins!
5:30pm-7:30pm
Meet us at the North end of the park by the fire circle for fall fun! Take a luminated hike along the tree line, enjoy a wildlife puppet show, and sign up for the pumpkin carving contest!
Pumpkin Carving Contest 5:30-6:30 Pumpkins provided but bring your own carving tools. (Registration required)
Puppet Show in Singing Bird at 6:30
For more information or to register for the carving contest call 309-788-9536 or email blackhawkhistoricsite@gmail.com

Nov
10

"George Catlin and his Indian Gallery"
2:00pm-3:00pm
Watch Tower Lodge(1800 46th Ave, Rock Island). In the 1830s, George Catlin traveled across the continent documenting Native Americans in over 400 paintings and sketches. Join us for a presentation on Catlin and a deeper look into his work.
For more information, call 309-788-9536

Nov
16

"Tour of Black Hawk Park Area Prehistoric and Sauk Historic Archaeological Sites"
10:00am
Ferrel Anderson, president of the Quad Cities Archaeological Society, will lead a tour of Black Hawk Park area prehistoric and Sauk archaeological sites Saturday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. We will meet at the western parking lot at Black Hawk State Historic site for a short introduction to the archaeology of the QC area. We will then take a walking tour of the mounds at the western side of the site and to the adjoining neighborhood to view a large burial mound and the grave site of two of Black Hawk's children, who died in 1817. We will then return to the parking lot, and continue the tour by automobile to the site of Saukenuk, the principal village of the Sauk Nation at the time of the Black Hawk War; the location of the Sauk corn fields; and Black Hawk's home site located on top of a prehistoric burial mound. Those of you who cannot walk the first part of the tour can follow us by automobile. In case of inclement weather, we will meet at the Hauberg Museum in the Main Lodge.

Dec
1

"Art for the Masses: New Deal Art in the Midwest"
2:00pm-3:00pm
Watch Tower Lodge(1800 46th Ave, Rock Island). In the 1830s, Watch Tower Lodge houses two murals painted in 1936 by artist Otto Hake. During the Great Depression, the WPA funded the visual arts through the Federal Arts Project. Come discover how that artwork fueled the economy and enhanced the region.
For more information, call 309-788-9536