Historic Indian Agency House

COVID-19 Specific Information and Services

Although the Historic Indian Agency House in Portage is postponing its opening day from May 15 to June 6, there are exciting online opportunities for patrons in the meantime.

From May 15 through June 5, live online tours will be available. Those taking these tours will be able to interact with a docent in real-time. Online tourists will also be the first to get a look at the visitor center's brand-new permanent exhibit which was made possible in part by a generous grant from the Greater Sauk Community Foundation.

The Archaeology Kids' Camp which was previously scheduled to be offered to students in grades three through five at the end of May has now also been moved to an online venue and is being offered for free to anyone who would like to take advantage of this fun educational program. This opportunity is made possible by the corporate sponsorship of Alliant Energy.

The Historic Indian Agency House's website, agencyhouse.org, also has a rich trove of historical information throughout. Students, teachers, families, and anyone interested in history may browse at their leisure. It is yet another way the museum is able to serve the public during its closed time.

The Opening Day Celebration has been rescheduled for June 6. Author Ann Keating will be present for a signing of her new book, The World of Juliette Kinzie: Chicago Before the Fire. Opening day now also coincides with Living History Days, so there will be much to see and do.

We still have a great lineup of in-person events and opportunities once we open in June, including a real archaeology dig on our site sponsored by General Engineering Company of Portage and led by archaeologist Ryan Howell. Visitors ages five and up will be able to actually participate in the excavation. Check out our website and follow us on Facebook to find information on both online and in-person programming and events. We look forward to serving our patrons online until we can see them in person again.