National Great Rivers Museum, Alton

About National Great Rivers Museum

The National Great Rivers Museum in East Alton explores river navigation, engineering, and environmental stewardship through interactive exhibits within a 12,000 square foot facility. Visitors can view artifacts and displays, watch films in the museum's theater, and walk the outdoor landscapes surrounding the building. Adjacent to the museum stands Melvin Price Locks and Dam, one of the largest and most technologically advanced lock and dam systems. The structure spans 1,160 feet across and includes nine tainter gates, a main lock accommodating 15-barge tows at 1,200 feet in length, and an auxiliary lock stretching 600 feet that serves recreational vessels. Free public tours of the locks and dam are available throughout the day, allowing visitors to observe the engineering systems that facilitate commercial and recreational traffic. The museum and adjacent facility together illustrate how waterways shaped regional development and continue to support transportation and industry.