STARVED ROCK FOUNDATION IMPROVES VISITOR CENTER WITH NEW DISPLAYS AND LIGHTING
$40,000 project enhances exhibits and lighting to enrich the visitor experience at Starved Rock State Park
OGLESBY, IL — The Starved Rock Foundation is proud to announce the completion of significant upgrades to the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center, just in time for the park’s busy season. The $40,000 project includes all-new lighting installations and refreshed museum exhibits—enhancements designed to create a brighter, more welcoming space that deepens the educational and immersive experience for all who visit.
Funded by the Foundation, the project included the installation of new lighting to improve visibility and atmosphere throughout the Visitor Center. Guests can now better appreciate the natural history, cultural significance, and unique stories of Starved Rock in a brighter, more accessible setting.
In addition to the lighting improvements, several key museum panels were redesigned and replaced, offering visitors a clearer and more engaging view of the region’s past. The updated exhibits include the Transformations Wall, Early Inhabitants, Park Development and Industry, and two new panels focused on the French Settlement and Fort St. Louis. These refreshed displays provide a deeper and more dynamic understanding of the area’s heritage, from its Indigenous roots to European settlement and beyond.
“These upgrades are about more than aesthetics — they’re about strengthening the connection between visitors and this incredible place we’re proud to call home,” said Pamela Grivetti, President of the Starved Rock Foundation. “We’re excited for park guests to engage with Starved Rock’s history in a brighter, more meaningful way.”
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the project’s completion, with attendees including representatives from Ameren Transmission, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, and the Starved Rock Foundation Board of Directors. Following the ceremony, Park Natural Resource Coordinator Lisa Sons led a guided tour through the updated museum space, sharing details about the new exhibits and enhancements.
Local vendors from Starved Rock Country—including Halm Electrical Contracting, Revere Electric, and Designs and Signs—were also in attendance, each playing a key role in bringing the project’s vision to life. By partnering with local businesses, the Foundation proudly supported the regional economy throughout the project. A special thank you goes to Ameren Transmission for their generous $10,000 grant, which helped make the transformative lighting upgrades possible.
The updates were made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Starved Rock Foundation, volunteers, and generous donors who continue to champion the park’s conservation, education, and recreation initiatives. The Foundation invites all visitors—first-timers and longtime supporters alike—to explore the renewed space during their next trip to Starved Rock State Park.
About the Starved Rock Foundation Founded in 1991, the Starved Rock Historical and Educational Foundation is the official nonprofit partner of Starved Rock State Park. In collaboration with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Foundation supports the park through conservation, education, and recreation initiatives. Its volunteers lead interpretive hikes, serve as visitor center docents, organize trail cleanups, and coordinate seasonal events. The Foundation funds park improvements through memberships, donations, and proceeds from the volunteer-operated LeRocher Book Store and Gift Shop. Over the past 30 years, the organization has contributed more than $460,000 toward enhancing the park’s programs, facilities, and natural beauty.
Media Contact:
Matthew Klein
Vice President, Starved Rock Foundation
starvedrockfoundation@gmail.com
