National Great Rivers Museum
A Confluence Attraction

Contact
1 (877) 462-6979

Participating Confluence Organizations
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Meeting of the Rivers Foundation

Hours
9:00 AM to 5 PM Daily. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve Day and New Year's Day.

Admission
Free

Location
Melvin Price Locks and Dams #26
Alton, IL

Directions
(By car) From Downtown St. Louis - take IL 3 North to Hiway 143 near Wood River. Take 143 Northwest 2 miles to Lock and Dam Way, turn left. From I-270 - take Highway 367 North to Alton. After crossing the Clark Bridge over the Mississippi River, turn right onto Highway 143, go 2 miles to Lock and Dam Way and turn right.
(By bike) On the MCT Confluence Trail, which runs from Granite City north to Alton (see Trail description on this website).

History and Features
Opened in October of 2003, this museum is the newest of 9 regional visitor centers operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Using hands-on technology, exhibits explore the history and nature of the Mississippi River. From its early beginnings to its use as a highway for commerce, this museum takes visitors on a voyage through time. Try your hand at a barge simulator or explore a computerized naturalist notebook. You can even send an
electronic postcard to your friends or browse the Confluence Store for the latest river related books or gift items. Also available is a theater where you can choose between 2 movies - the "Power of the River" or "Lewis and
Clark: Confluence of Time and Courage". Then take a stroll across the river by joining a tour of the lock and dam. Given daily at 10 AM, 1 or 3 PM (weather permitting), these tours give you a close up view of the activities
of a working modern lock.

For more information, visit the museum website at
http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Rivers/museum.htm

For more information about nearby recreation opportunities, see
http://www.visitalton.com