National Museum of Surveying 🇺🇸

If you are exploring historical sites around Springfield, Illinois, you may be interested in the story of the National Museum of Surveying. Located on the Old State Capitol Plaza, just north of the Old State Capitol, this site was established to honor the vital role of surveying in American history. Originally operating as the Michigan Museum of Surveying, it moved to Illinois in 2007 to establish its national presence before officially opening its doors in Springfield on September 24, 2010.

Spanning a 10,000-square-foot space, the venue featured three dedicated exhibit rooms designed to educate visitors on the field's rich evolution. Inside, you could experience an educational room sponsored by the NCEES, created to inspire young students toward surveying careers through an engaging 45-seat theater that played detailed videos on surveying history. You could also explore a dedicated room detailing the overall history of surveying, alongside a Science on a Sphere exhibit funded by NOAA.

Though the museum officially closed its doors in January 2013, it represented a unique historic effort right in the heart of downtown Springfield.

What to see at National Museum of Surveying

• Located in a 10,000-square-foot space on Old State Capitol Plaza
• Featured a Science on a Sphere exhibit funded by NOAA
• Included a 45-seat theater showing videos on surveying evolution
• Housed an exhibit room dedicated to the history of surveying

Visiting tips

Keep in mind when planning your itinerary that this downtown Springfield site closed in January 2013.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

National Museum of Surveying is easy to reach on Springfield’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Old State Capitol State Historic Site and Henson Robinson Zoo. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Springfield travel guide.