Skip to content
  • Visit
    • TOURS
    • Accessibility
    • HOURS & LOCATION
    • BECOME A MEMBER
    • ADMISSION
    • GIFT SHOP
  • Exhibits
    • The German Immigrant Experience
    • German Expressionist Prints
    • Immigrant Innovators: The Fruehauf Trailer Company
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Learn
    • GAHC From Home
    • Internships
    • Resources
    • Translation Services
    • Book Discussions​
    • Travel
  • Events
  • About
    • About Us
    • DEAI Statement
    • Staff
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • Private Events
  • Donate
  • Visit
    • TOURS
    • Accessibility
    • HOURS & LOCATION
    • BECOME A MEMBER
    • ADMISSION
    • GIFT SHOP
  • Exhibits
    • The German Immigrant Experience
    • German Expressionist Prints
    • Immigrant Innovators: The Fruehauf Trailer Company
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Learn
    • GAHC From Home
    • Internships
    • Resources
    • Translation Services
    • Book Discussions​
    • Travel
  • Events
  • About
    • About Us
    • DEAI Statement
    • Staff
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • Private Events
  • Donate

Accessibility

The GAHC&M prioritizes the accessibility of our building and making it a welcoming space for everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, economic status, and other diverse backgrounds. Explore below to find out more about the steps we are taking to make a more accessible space. If you have questions or concerns regarding ways we can best accommodate you please contact our DEAI Coordinator: Aaron Baker at 563-322-8844 ext. 105 or by email at [email protected].

Parking/Arriving
  • Our parking lot is on the north side of the building. It includes handicap accessible parking spaces.
  • The pathway leading to the entrance is fully handicap accessible as well.
Wheelchair Accessibility
  • Wheelchairs are available for those that need them at no cost.
  • All museum spaces are accessible by wheelchair.
Elevator Access
  • Each floor is accessible by elevator.
Restrooms
  • The museum contains 2 restrooms each on both the 1st and 4th floors.
  • All restrooms are handicap accessible.
  • The 4th floor restrooms are both gender neutral.
Hearing
  • English subtitles are featured in all of the museum’s video content.
  • German subtitles are also available in the introductory video of the permanent exhibit.
Sensory Kits
  • Sensory kits for children with sensory sensitivities can be checked out at the Front Desk.  The goal of the kits is to provide children with such sensitivities resources that help to ensure a better experience at the museum. 
  • The kits include headphones, sunglasses, communication cards (for non-verbal children) and a fidget toy. Each kit has a different wooden fidget toy made by HABA (a German toy company). 
  • This project was supported by a grant from The American Legion of Iowa Foundation.

 

Low Income Options
  • The GAHC&M is a proud participant of the Museums for All initiative. Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to the GAHC&M simply by presenting their EBT card and a photo ID.

 

Seasonal Tours and ASL Tours
  • The GAHC&M offers free docent guided tours accompanied by an ASL interpreter. These tours are held quarterly throughout the year.
  • ASL Tours can also be scheduled by appointment.
  • For more information about the quarterly ASL tours or to schedule a tour please contact Aaron Baker at 563-322-8844 ext. 105 or [email protected].
  • ASL tours are available through a grant from the Regional Development Authority.

Regional Development Authority (Quad Cities) logo

Service Animals
  • Service animals are the only animals allowed in the museum at any time. Service animals are dogs that are trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. This can include a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability. Tasks performed by the animal may include pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped items, alerting a person to a sound, pressing elevator buttons or a variety of other tasks. The work performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. This does not include Therapy animals.
ON INSTAGRAM
  • Follow Us!

German American Heritage Center and Museum

germanamericanheritagecenter

1,254 1,554

Museum exploring the German immigrant experience and history of Davenport and Iowa!

Open
Did you know the Col Ballroom in the West End of Davenport, is part of the National Register of Historic Places? 

Though renamed in 1914, Col Ballroom originates from the Saengerfest Halle. This building brought together German musicians across the Midwest. Today it is no longer a performance venue, but we can keep its legacy alive by talking about it.

Did you know the Col Ballroom in the West End of Davenport, is part of the National Register of Historic Places?

Though renamed in 1914, Col Ballroom originates from the Saengerfest Halle. This building brought together German musicians across the Midwest. Today it is no longer a performance venue, but we can keep its legacy alive by talking about it.
…

Open
Now on display in our first floor gallery.

Visits are free this month! Come see this exhibit and more, our hours are, Tues-Sat 10am to 4pm, Sun 12pm-4pm, and Closed on Mondays.

Now on display in our first floor gallery.

Visits are free this month! Come see this exhibit and more, our hours are, Tues-Sat 10am to 4pm, Sun 12pm-4pm, and Closed on Mondays.
…

Open
This Sunday, July 13th from 12:00 am- 4:00 pm, we'll host our 8th annual Best of the Wurst sausage competition! Guests can sample local brats, purchase a variety of delicious food, enjoy an ice cold beer or pop, and vote for your favorite “wurst!” This year we will also ice cream from Here's the Scoop to taste! Live music, ice cream, and balloon twisting are just some of the special activities we have planned. $5 entry per person, kids under 12 and members are free. Tickets are available at the door, cash or card is accepted. Take a look at some photos from last year's Best of the Wurst competition:

This Sunday, July 13th from 12:00 am- 4:00 pm, we`ll host our 8th annual Best of the Wurst sausage competition! Guests can sample local brats, purchase a variety of delicious food, enjoy an ice cold beer or pop, and vote for your favorite “wurst!” This year we will also ice cream from Here`s the Scoop to taste! Live music, ice cream, and balloon twisting are just some of the special activities we have planned. $5 entry per person, kids under 12 and members are free. Tickets are available at the door, cash or card is accepted. Take a look at some photos from last year`s Best of the Wurst competition: …

Open
Join us Sunday July 13th from 12:00- 4:00 pm for our 8th annual Best of the Wurst sausage competition! Sample local brats, purchase a variety of delicious food, enjoy an ice cold beer or pop, and vote for your favorite “wurst!” Live music, ice cream, and balloon twisting are just some of the special activities we have planned. $5 entry per person, kids under 12 and members are free. Tickets are available at the door, cash or card is accepted. Here's a throwback to last year's Best of the Wurst!

Join us Sunday July 13th from 12:00- 4:00 pm for our 8th annual Best of the Wurst sausage competition! Sample local brats, purchase a variety of delicious food, enjoy an ice cold beer or pop, and vote for your favorite “wurst!” Live music, ice cream, and balloon twisting are just some of the special activities we have planned. $5 entry per person, kids under 12 and members are free. Tickets are available at the door, cash or card is accepted. Here`s a throwback to last year`s Best of the Wurst! …

Open
🎆 The museum will be closed on Friday July 4th in observance of Independence Day. 

Have a safe and fun holiday! We will be back open regular hours on Saturday.

🎆 The museum will be closed on Friday July 4th in observance of Independence Day.

Have a safe and fun holiday! We will be back open regular hours on Saturday.
…

Open
Haven't been to the museum before or has it been a while? Need something to do with out-of-town guests or kids on summer break? We are thrilled to offer FREE ADMISSION for the entire month of July! 

With new exhibitions including, "German Expressionist Prints," and "The Prints of David and Sarojini Johnson," along with our permanent exhibition, "The German Immigrant Experience," there is something for all ages and interest levels. Or just come take a look out of our 4th floor windows and take in a beautiful view of downtown Davenport and the Mississippi River.

Thank you to Cal and Jill Werner for making Free Admission in July possible.

Haven`t been to the museum before or has it been a while? Need something to do with out-of-town guests or kids on summer break? We are thrilled to offer FREE ADMISSION for the entire month of July!

With new exhibitions including, "German Expressionist Prints," and "The Prints of David and Sarojini Johnson," along with our permanent exhibition, "The German Immigrant Experience," there is something for all ages and interest levels. Or just come take a look out of our 4th floor windows and take in a beautiful view of downtown Davenport and the Mississippi River.

Thank you to Cal and Jill Werner for making Free Admission in July possible.
…

Open
Wow!
In 2024, we raised over $41,000 through Birdies for Charity! As of June 25, 2025, we have just over $34,000 pledged to the GAHC+M through Birdies for charity. Our goal for this year is to reach $42,000.

If you have already given, we express our sincere gratitude for your gift this year. If you have not given yet, consider giving a gift in any amount to help support our mission and ensure we are here for generations to come.

If you give through Birdies for Charity by July 4th, your gift will be matched 5-10%, adding to the impact you can make for present and future generations.

HOW TO DONATE:
MAIL - Send us a check made out to "Birdies for Charity"
ONLINE - Visit https://birdiesforcharity.com/donate?charity=1002#/

Wow!
In 2024, we raised over $41,000 through Birdies for Charity! As of June 25, 2025, we have just over $34,000 pledged to the GAHC+M through Birdies for charity. Our goal for this year is to reach $42,000.

If you have already given, we express our sincere gratitude for your gift this year. If you have not given yet, consider giving a gift in any amount to help support our mission and ensure we are here for generations to come.

If you give through Birdies for Charity by July 4th, your gift will be matched 5-10%, adding to the impact you can make for present and future generations.

HOW TO DONATE:
MAIL – Send us a check made out to "Birdies for Charity"
ONLINE – Visit https://birdiesforcharity.com/donate?charity=1002#/
…

Open
Cruise the Historic Rhine June 2026!

This is the LAST CHANCE to book our river cruise trip with FREE AIRFARE from the Quad Cities Airport. This offer is only good through Monday June 30th, 2025. There are still a few spaces left, but the free air offer expires tomorrow. 

Contact Linda Meadors from Blue Horizon Travel at 309-235-5806 or linda@bluehorizon.net.

For 10 days, cruise along the beautiful Rhine from Amsterdam to Lucerne, exploring all of the history, landscapes, cultures, and more on a gorgeous Emerald Cruise Star Ship.

Learn more about the trip and see the full itinerary here: https://gahc.org/travel/

Cruise the Historic Rhine June 2026!

This is the LAST CHANCE to book our river cruise trip with FREE AIRFARE from the Quad Cities Airport. This offer is only good through Monday June 30th, 2025. There are still a few spaces left, but the free air offer expires tomorrow.

Contact Linda Meadors from Blue Horizon Travel at 309-235-5806 or [email protected].

For 10 days, cruise along the beautiful Rhine from Amsterdam to Lucerne, exploring all of the history, landscapes, cultures, and more on a gorgeous Emerald Cruise Star Ship.

Learn more about the trip and see the full itinerary here: https://gahc.org/travel/
…

VISIT US

German American Heritage Center & Museum
712 W 2nd St.
Davenport, IA 52802

HOURS

Tuesdays – Saturdays open 10 am – 4 pm
Sundays open 12 – 4 pm
Closed Mondays

NEWSLETTER

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

STAY CONNECTED
Instagram Facebook-f Twitter
Sign Up for our Newsletter
German American Heritage Center & Museum
712 W 2nd St.
Davenport, IA 52802
Tuesdays – Saturdays open 10 am – 4 pm
Sundays open 12 – 4 pm
Closed Mondays

Newsletter

Subscribe to get all latest news, updates.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.