Kaffee und Kuchen
May 5, 2024 |
1:30 pm -
3:00 pm
$0-5
Beginning with the context of post-World War II Germany and the Cold War, the richly illustrated presentation features historical interpretation and photos of Berlin and the infamous Berlin Wall taken by the author in 1969, eight years after the wall was raised, juxtaposed with many of the same contrasting locations today. Also featured are the iconic Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche (Emperor William Memorial Church), including Sunday morning Gottesdienst (divine worship); the historic and beautifully restored Reichstag national capitol building, including a dramatic ascent of its spectacular, new, sparkling glass dome; and the classic Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate), a historic and prominent symbol of Berlin. Close by and on a stroll along Unter den Linden (Under the Linden Trees), Berlin’s Main Street, are sober memorials and poignant reminders of the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Nazi-era burning of books, and the Victims of War and Dictatorship. Concluding the walk across the heart of the city are Museum Island, the opulent Berliner Dom (cathedral), the soaring Fernsehturm (TV tower) and view of the city from more than 650 feet above it, and a perfect-day cruise on the River Spree. Also included are nuggets of Berliner wit and a little light-hearted fare, both historical and current. The presentation closes on a reflective note with historical ironies and a 30th Anniversary retrospective look at the dramatic events which led to the Fall of the Wall in early November 1989, and photographs and prophetic words—spoken five days after the erection of the wall—which require no comment.
Before or after the program, guests are invited to view our exhibition, Breaking Barriers: Walls Throughout History on our first floor gallery. This is the last day to see this exhibition .
1:30 coffee and cake
2:00 program
FREE for members, $5 for non-members
This event is in-person only.
712 W 2nd St. Davenport, Iowa 52802
Presenter Bio
As a youth, Russell Baldner’s early fascination with the German language and history led to B.A. and M.A. degrees in History and undergraduate and graduate study in German and Archaeology. On his first visit to Germany, the presenter lived in his great-great-grandfather’s birthplace. Baldner specializes in the history of Germany, including the Early and High Middle Ages, the Protestant Reformation and Lutheranism, and 19 th – and 20 th -century Europe. A closely related specialty is the deciphering and translating of historical documents drafted in Kurrentschrift, an archaic form of German cursive script in which few are proficient, also genealogy, ethnic German history, and prehistoric Native American archaeology. By profession an educator, Russell formerly taught German, history and anthropology. His recent publications include nineteenth-century German Lutheran historical and archaic German cursive manuscript studies, a four-part research series on the Late Prehistoric–Early Historic petroglyphs and pictographs of northeast Iowa, and “Diversity in Faith,” a three-part Introduction to the Reformation and Protestantism.
In September 2022, Russell and wife Cathryn hosted “Medieval to Modern Hearts of Germany,” a two-week group tour in northeastern Germany proposed, named, and largely designed by Russ in conjunction with and sponsored by the University of Northern Iowa, his alma mater. Included were pre-departure orientations by Russell focusing on Germany’s history, language, and social-cultural landscape, also historical lectures and interpretive commentaries while on tour, including an interpretive performance by Cathryn on Katharina von Bora, wife of Martin Luther, and a renewed and welcome opportunity for Russ to converse daily in the language of his heritage.
A frequent public speaker, Russell presents on a wide range of historical, linguistic, and archaeological subjects. In 2019, he was invited and first had the great pleasure of joining staff and guests and speaking in person at the German American Heritage Center. Following several subsequent virtual presentations during and following the pandemic, Russ welcomes the current invitation to present and looks eagerly forward to joining and meeting, once again in person, the always gracious staff and guests of the German American Heritage Center.
Mark your calendars for Wednesdays at 6! We are excited to host a series of German films at The Last Picture House this Fall.
The film series continues this Wednesday September 11th with Nosferatu.
Tickets are $15 per film and may be purchased online or at the door. Ticket sales include a medium popcorn from the Last Picture House. All films begin at 6:00 pm.
Film Schedule:
September 11th Nosferatu
September 18th Metropolis
September 25th The Blue Angel
October 2nd M
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/german-film-series
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Join us for Oktoberfest Davenport on September 21st! This free event is a great way to celebrate the rich German culture in the Quad Cities while having fun in our community. It features a variety of traditional Oktoberfest activities including music, food, games, beer and FREE ADMISSION.
⏰ Saturday, September 21st, 2024, from 12–7 p.m.
📍 K-Square 119 E. 3rd St., Davenport, IA
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Mark your calendars for Wednesdays at 6! We are excited to host a series of German films at The Last Picture House this Fall.
The film series kicks off this Wednesday September 4th with The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.
Tickets are $15 per film and may be purchased online or at the door. Ticket sales include a medium popcorn from the Last Picture House. All films begin at 6:00 pm.
Film Schedule:
September 4th The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
September 11th Nosferatu
September 18th Metropolis
September 25th The Blue Angel
October 2nd M
Tickets: link in bio
https://events.humanitix.com/german-film-series
…
September is library card sign up month! Did you know you can visit us as well as other museums in the area for FREE with a Davenport Library card? All three @davenportlibrary locations have Community Experience Passes available for checkout. These passes include access to the following:
Common Chord pass
Figge Art Museum pass
German American Heritage Center and Museum pass
Niabi Zoo pass (seasonal)
Quad City Botanical Center pass
Quad City Symphony Orchestra pass
Putnam Museum pass
Summer Fun Kids` Pass (seasonal)
Do you have a library card? What is your favorite part about visiting the library? The Library offers so much more than just books! Check out movies, audiobooks, board games, and even musical instruments. Share what you love about your library card! 📚 🎶 🧑🧑🧒 🏛️
Learn more about the Community Experience pass on their website: https://libguides.davenportlibrary.com/c.php?g=1200698&p=8780526
#LibraryCardSignUpMonth #library #museum #history #iowa #illinois #midwest #qc #qcthatswhere #quadcities
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Join us for Oktoberfest Davenport on September 21st! This free event is a great way to celebrate the rich German culture in the Quad Cities while having fun in our community. It features a variety of traditional Oktoberfest activities including music, food, games, beer and FREE ADMISSION.
⏰ Saturday, September 21st, 2024, from 12–7 p.m.
📍 K-Square 119 E. 3rd St., Davenport, IA
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Did you know our book discussion group is our longest-standing regular program? Since 1999, the group has been hosting book discussions bi-monthly on Saturdays. All are welcome to join at any point and there is no commitment. Our next discussion will be on September 21st at 10:30. The group will be discussion "Hiking with Nietzsche: On Becoming Who You Are" by John Kaag. Learn more about the group and see the full schedule on our website, link in bio. …
We are a proud participant of Blue Star Museums which allows free admission to active military and their families through Labor Day (September 2nd). Come explore our exhibitions and learn about local history in our historic building located right in downtown Davenport.
📍 712 W 2nd Street Davenport, Iowa 52802
Open Sundays 12 – 4 pm
Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 4 pm
#bluestarmuseum #museum #german #history #midwest
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