Have you ever wondered what Illinois looked like hundreds of millions of years ago? A brand-new fossil exhibit in Romeoville is bringing that ancient world back to life — and it’s completely free to explore. The Isle a la Cache Museum is now hosting a special exhibition that takes visitors on a journey through time, revealing the long-lost sea creatures that once swam beneath Will County’s soil.
A New Window Into Ancient Illinois
The exhibit, titled “Souvenirs From the Silurian Sea: Fossils of Will County,” opens on Wednesday, September 3, and will run until Sunday, November 30. Guests can visit the museum Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Organised by the Forest Preserve District of Will County with help from The Nature Foundation of Will County, the display brings together fossils found right in the region. These remains are from the Silurian Period, around 430 million years ago, when this part of Illinois was covered by a shallow, tropical sea.
What Visitors Can Expect at the Exhibit
This isn’t just a look-and-read museum display. The exhibit is interactive and designed to be fun for both kids and adults. Some highlights include:
Fossils from Will County: Real fossil specimens from the museum’s collection, showing life forms like corals, trilobites, and ancient shellfish.
Interactive discovery zones: Visitors can try hands-on stations that simulate what it’s like to search for fossils.
Postcard from the past: Guests can write and take home a postcard as a souvenir from their time-travel adventure.
Meet Paleontologist Willy: A fun character who guides visitors through the exhibit and teaches them how fossils are unearthed.
A Trip Through Deep Time
Jen Guest, the facility supervisor at Isle a la Cache Museum, described the exhibit as “a vacation through deep time.” According to her, this is a rare chance for people to connect with Illinois’ prehistoric environment in a meaningful, hands-on way.
“This is a rare opportunity to see prehistoric life up close, not just in textbooks, but through real fossils found right here in Will County,” she said.
From learning how these fossils were formed to discovering what types of creatures lived in ancient seas, the exhibit offers both education and excitement.
Why This Exhibit Matters
Illinois may be known today for its flat prairies and bustling cities, but it has a hidden history buried underground. The fossils found here tell the story of an entirely different landscape — a place teeming with strange sea creatures, long before humans ever arrived.
By showing real, local fossils, the exhibit helps visitors connect with this ancient world. It’s especially meaningful for children, who can get hands-on with science in a way that sparks curiosity and creativity.
Plan Your Visit
The Isle a la Cache Museum is located along the Des Plaines River in Romeoville, a scenic spot that regularly hosts exhibitions focused on both natural and cultural history.
Whether you’re a fossil enthusiast, a parent looking for an educational outing, or just someone curious about Illinois’ ancient secrets, this exhibit is well worth a visit.
The “Souvenirs From the Silurian Sea” exhibit is more than just a display — it’s a journey through time that brings Will County’s ancient past to life. With real fossils, interactive fun, and a deep dive into local history, this free exhibit is a unique chance to explore what once lived beneath our feet. Don’t miss the opportunity to step back in time right here in Romeoville.
