General Museum Information

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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.

Contact Us

Front desk: 630-844-7843
Fax: 630-844-6529
Send us an e-mail!

Schingoethe Center
Aurora University
347 S. Gladstone Ave.
Aurora, IL 60506-4892

Schingoethe Center Staff

Meg Bero
Executive Director
mbero@aurora.edu
630-844-7844

Dave Spencer
Assistant Curator
dspencer@aurora.edu
630-844-7845

Sarah Kimes
Schingoethe Graduate Fellow
skimes@aurora.edu
630-844-7841

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.