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Welcome to The Schingoethe Center
for Native American Cultures
at Aurora University |
General Museum Information |
Our Mission | Contact Us | History
Hours and Admission | Location & Directions | Facility Information | Museum Shop | Library
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We invite you to visit the Center to
enjoy our current exhibits, including an expanded version of Native
Peoples of Illinois, our Nizhoni Gallery exhibits on the Southwest
Culture Area and Children of Native America. We're proud of our award-winning exhibits and programs:
- "Native Peoples of Illinois:1673-1835," Award of Superior
Achievement from the Illinois State Historical Society (2001), Curators: Dona Bachman, Mary Kennedy and Meg Bero
- "Museum of the Mysteries," Awards of Superior Achievement
from Illinois Association of Museums and Illinois State Historical
Society (2002, 2003), Curator: Meg Bero
- "M.A.I.Z.E. (Museum Artifact Inquiry ZonE) educational project," Awards of Superior Achievement from Illinois Association of Museums
and Illinois State Historical Society (2002, 2003)
- Nizhnoni Gallery and "The World of the Kachina," Award of Excellence from Illinois Association of Museums (2003), Curator: Meg Bero
Our Mission
The Schingoethe Center serves both as the University's museum of Native
American culture and as a setting for research and teaching related to
the study of cultural artifacts and related texts. With a primary responsibility
to enrich the teaching and learning experience of Aurora University students
and faculty, the Center also serves as an important resource for area
schools and colleges, researchers, Native American groups, and the general
public. In its museum and educational work the Center is committed to
maintaining the highest standards of professional, scholarly and ethical
excellence. |
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Contact Us
Front desk: 630-844-7843
Recorded Information Line: 630-844-5402
Fax: 630-844-6529
Send us an e-mail!
Schingoethe Center
Aurora University
347 S. Gladstone
Ave.
Aurora, IL 60506-4892
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| Schingoethe Center Staff |
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Meg Bero
Executive Director
Schingoethe Museum
mbero@aurora.edu
630-844-7844 |
Dave Spencer
Assistant Curator
dspencer@aurora.edu
630-844-7845 |
Sonia Valenzuela
Schingoethe Graduate Fellow
svalenzuela@aurora.edu
630-844-7841 |
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History
Connoisseurs and collectors of Native American cultural artifacts,
Herbert and Martha Schingoethe had long felt that Aurora University was
a great educational asset to the community and region. In 1989, this belief,
along with their desire to encourage others to learn about America's original
inhabitants, prompted them to commission the building of Dunham Hall.
Named in honor of Martha's family, Dunham Hall provides the setting for
the Schingoethe Center for Native American Cultures, which opened to the
public in 1990, as well as for the University's Dunham School of Business.
The Schingoethes donated their collection of over 6,000 items of Native
American arts, artifacts, and related materials and, in addition, provide
major support for the Center and its activities.
Martha Dunham Schingoethe passed away on February 17, 2004, Herb on March
18, 2005. In the years following the establishment of the Center, they
had continued to take a close and active interest in the museum and its
programs, and we will miss them very much. On the video kiosk in the museum
you may also view selections from a video interview with Herb and Martha.
The Schingoethes made a major contribution, both to the educational enterprise
of the University and to the cultural life of the Aurora community, through
their collections and their support of the Center. We invite you to come
and share in this rich legacy.
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