From guided tours and Indigenous heritage events to a landmark Visitor Center campaign โ here is how the Friends of Aztalan bring the park to life for visitors, students, and the wider community.
Our Work
The Friends group supports a diverse range of programs designed to deepen public understanding of Aztalan, engage the community, and fund the park's long-term future.
Year-round
Guided tours for adults and school groups offer an immersive introduction to Aztalan's archaeological wonders. Expert guides walk visitors through the platform mounds, reconstructed stockade, and the remarkable story of the Mississippian people who built this community. Tours are available for educational groups, community organizations, and general visitors throughout the year.
Annual Event
Our signature annual event celebrates the rich agricultural traditions of the people who called Aztalan home. Held each June, Indigenous Gardening Day features hands-on activities, guided interpretive walks, and demonstrations of traditional horticulture. The 2026 event takes place Sunday, June 7 at noon โ all are welcome to attend this free, family-friendly celebration of ancient wisdom.
Ongoing
Our understanding of Aztalan continues to evolve with each new excavation and analysis. The Friends group provides financial support for archaeological research at and around the park, helping scholars answer fundamental questions about the site's origins, occupation, and abandonment. This research directly informs the interpretive programs that bring Aztalan's story to life for visitors.
Capital Campaign
Our most ambitious project to date: a new world-class Visitor Center that will transform the visitor experience at Aztalan. The center will feature state-of-the-art interpretive exhibits, accessible facilities, meeting and classroom space, and a true entry point into the park's remarkable story. We have raised approximately $400,000 toward our $1 million goal.
Join Today
Membership is the backbone of the Friends group โ providing reliable annual support for all of our programs. Individual and family memberships are available at affordable rates, and members receive our monthly newsletter, invitations to special events, and the deep satisfaction of knowing they are helping preserve one of Wisconsin's most important cultural treasures for future generations.
Get Involved
Aztalan's volunteers are essential to the park's daily operation. Our volunteer program mobilizes community members for park maintenance, trail upkeep, visitor services, special events, and more. Volunteering at Aztalan is a hands-on way to connect with Wisconsin's ancient heritage while making a tangible difference. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Kristine Kust to get started.
Capital Campaign
Aztalan State Park deserves a Visitor Center worthy of its extraordinary story. We are working toward a $1 million goal to build a world-class interpretive facility that will welcome visitors, educate students, and tell the full depth of this remarkable site's history.
Annual Event
Each summer, Friends of Aztalan State Park hosts one of Jefferson County's most unique events: Indigenous Gardening Day. This special gathering honors the deep agricultural knowledge of the Mississippian people who farmed these Wisconsin soils over a thousand years ago.
Visitors can experience hands-on demonstrations of traditional horticulture practices, explore the park's gardens of historically significant native plants, and hear stories about how food production shaped Aztalan's society and culture.
Join the Friends
Your membership directly funds programs, research, and the Visitor Center campaign. Choose the membership level that works best for you.