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    • TOURS
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    • The German Immigrant Experience
    • Play On! German Immigrants and the Quad Cities’ Musical Legacy
    • Shaped By Immigrants: Celebrating 250 Years of the United States
    • Past Exhibitions
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  • Private Events
  • Donate
  • Visit
    • TOURS
    • Accessibility
    • HOURS & LOCATION
    • BECOME A MEMBER
    • ADMISSION
    • GIFT SHOP
  • Exhibits
    • The German Immigrant Experience
    • Play On! German Immigrants and the Quad Cities’ Musical Legacy
    • Shaped By Immigrants: Celebrating 250 Years of the United States
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Learn
    • GAHC From Home
    • Internships
    • Volunteer
    • Resources
    • Translation Services
    • Book Discussions​
    • Travel
    • Stammtisch
  • Events
  • About
    • About Us
    • Collections
    • DEAI Statement
    • Staff
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
  • 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 (or other animals) 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 emotional support animals.
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German American Heritage Center and Museum

germanamericanheritagecenter

1,415 1,820

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

Open
☀️ There are only 2 weekends left to enjoy free admission to the German American Heritage Center and Museum in July!

Explore our historic building and discover the stories of German immigrants that settled right here in the Quad Cities. We also have two rotating exhibitions including "Shaped by Immigrants: Celebrating 250 Years of the United States."

The German American Heritage Center and Museum and the @figgeartmuseum are proud to offer free admission for the entire month of July. Free admission is possibly through the generosity of Cal and Jill Werner.

☀️ There are only 2 weekends left to enjoy free admission to the German American Heritage Center and Museum in July!

Explore our historic building and discover the stories of German immigrants that settled right here in the Quad Cities. We also have two rotating exhibitions including "Shaped by Immigrants: Celebrating 250 Years of the United States."

The German American Heritage Center and Museum and the @figgeartmuseum are proud to offer free admission for the entire month of July. Free admission is possibly through the generosity of Cal and Jill Werner.
…

Open
Learn about where German immigrants worked, lived, and created a community. The presentation will share details of their personal lives, as well as notable architectural styles found throughout downtown and the Gold Coast neighborhood.
.
This is a presentation-style version of our summer walking tours. After the presentation, guests are welcome to view the museum exhibits. 
.
Free and open to the public, RSVP encouraged.
Suggested donation $10.
https://events.humanitix.com/architectural-tour-sitting-edition
.
Free Admission in July is sponsored by Cal and Jill Werner.

Learn about where German immigrants worked, lived, and created a community. The presentation will share details of their personal lives, as well as notable architectural styles found throughout downtown and the Gold Coast neighborhood.
.
This is a presentation-style version of our summer walking tours. After the presentation, guests are welcome to view the museum exhibits.
.
Free and open to the public, RSVP encouraged.
Suggested donation $10.
https://events.humanitix.com/architectural-tour-sitting-edition
.
Free Admission in July is sponsored by Cal and Jill Werner.
…

Open
🏆 And the winner is...Jerry's Market Black Forest Wurst!

🌭 A crowd favorite, the Black Forest bratwurst won by a landslide. If you need more, check out Jerry's Market in Moline, IL to stock up on your favorite treats for the grill this summer. They've got more than just wursts! Check out their full meat counter Monday-Friday 9 am - 6 pm and Saturdays 9 am - 4 pm.

☀️ Thank you to everyone who came out and enjoyed the day with us. Thank you to our staff, volunteers, members, and community partners for participating on Sunday. We were glad to host the @figgeartmuseum, @davenportlibrary, The Bookmobile, Immigration Coalition of the Quad Cities, @swensoncenter, Center for Belgian Culture, @qcsymphony, @riveractionqc, and the QC Women's Outdoor Club.

🎶 Thank you to the Wandering patriots harmonica band for starting out the day with music, and the Guttenberg German Band for playing traditional German polkas for us to enjoy.

🙏 A huge thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible: Zimmerman Honda, WVIK, Our Quad Cities, and HyVee for their in-kind donation. 

📷 Thank you @bella_photography_main for capturing the day for us!

🍻 Mark your calendars for Oktoberfest Davenport at Kaiserslautern Square on September 19th, 2026. Prost!

🏆 And the winner is…Jerry`s Market Black Forest Wurst!

🌭 A crowd favorite, the Black Forest bratwurst won by a landslide. If you need more, check out Jerry`s Market in Moline, IL to stock up on your favorite treats for the grill this summer. They`ve got more than just wursts! Check out their full meat counter Monday-Friday 9 am – 6 pm and Saturdays 9 am – 4 pm.

☀️ Thank you to everyone who came out and enjoyed the day with us. Thank you to our staff, volunteers, members, and community partners for participating on Sunday. We were glad to host the @figgeartmuseum, @davenportlibrary, The Bookmobile, Immigration Coalition of the Quad Cities, @swensoncenter, Center for Belgian Culture, @qcsymphony, @riveractionqc, and the QC Women`s Outdoor Club.

🎶 Thank you to the Wandering patriots harmonica band for starting out the day with music, and the Guttenberg German Band for playing traditional German polkas for us to enjoy.

🙏 A huge thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible: Zimmerman Honda, WVIK, Our Quad Cities, and HyVee for their in-kind donation.

📷 Thank you @bella_photography_main for capturing the day for us!

🍻 Mark your calendars for Oktoberfest Davenport at Kaiserslautern Square on September 19th, 2026. Prost!
…

Open
We are offering free admission to the museum for the entire month of July! 🎆 

Thanks to the generosity of Cal and Jill Werner, the German American Heritage Center and Museum and the @figgeartmuseum are free and open to the public all month long. Explore new exhibits, attend a program, and explore all of what our downtown museums have to offer.

We are offering free admission to the museum for the entire month of July! 🎆

Thanks to the generosity of Cal and Jill Werner, the German American Heritage Center and Museum and the @figgeartmuseum are free and open to the public all month long. Explore new exhibits, attend a program, and explore all of what our downtown museums have to offer.
…

Open
🎆 The museum will be closed on Saturday, July 4th to observe Independence Day. 

We are offering free admission throughout the month of July so make sure to stop by! We are open regular hours the rest of the month.  Thank you to Cal and Jill Werner for making free admission in July possible for us and the @figgeartmuseum.

🎆 The museum will be closed on Saturday, July 4th to observe Independence Day.

We are offering free admission throughout the month of July so make sure to stop by! We are open regular hours the rest of the month. Thank you to Cal and Jill Werner for making free admission in July possible for us and the @figgeartmuseum.
…

Open
This weekend, we celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States. Many may feel discouraged or disconnected from the national headlines and celebrations. But the story of the United States isn’t something that lives in D.C. It lives with us in our towns, our neighborhoods, and the moments we choose to learn, reflect, and connect with our history.

It’s understandable if this anniversary feels disappointing on the national stage. But this is our chance to engage with the past in real ways: to ask questions, to listen to different stories, and to think about what this history means today.

Across the country, local museums, historical societies, libraries, and community groups are creating programs and exhibits that tell fuller, richer stories. These grassroots efforts may not always make headlines, but they are where this anniversary will truly take shape.

The 250th isn’t just a celebration. It’s an invitation to reflect on who we’ve been, to grapple with the complexities of our history, and to think about what kind of future we want to build together.

The 250th belongs to all of us. So take part in it. Visit a local exhibit. Attend a program. Ask questions. Share your story. Be part of the ongoing work of understanding our past and shaping what comes next.

We challenge you to learn something new this year and reflect on how you came to be in this moment. How did your ancestors’ decisions lead up to the moment? What would your life look like if a different decision was made? 

Share your stories with us in the comments and visit the museum this July, for free. We are open the the public all month long with something for everyone. Be sure to see our newest exhibit, “Shaped by Immigrants: Celebrating 250 Years of the United States.” Our aim is to explore the immigrants that shaped the Quad Cities community and tell real stories about real people.

What are you looking forward to this Independence Day?

This weekend, we celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States. Many may feel discouraged or disconnected from the national headlines and celebrations. But the story of the United States isn’t something that lives in D.C. It lives with us in our towns, our neighborhoods, and the moments we choose to learn, reflect, and connect with our history.

It’s understandable if this anniversary feels disappointing on the national stage. But this is our chance to engage with the past in real ways: to ask questions, to listen to different stories, and to think about what this history means today.

Across the country, local museums, historical societies, libraries, and community groups are creating programs and exhibits that tell fuller, richer stories. These grassroots efforts may not always make headlines, but they are where this anniversary will truly take shape.

The 250th isn’t just a celebration. It’s an invitation to reflect on who we’ve been, to grapple with the complexities of our history, and to think about what kind of future we want to build together.

The 250th belongs to all of us. So take part in it. Visit a local exhibit. Attend a program. Ask questions. Share your story. Be part of the ongoing work of understanding our past and shaping what comes next.

We challenge you to learn something new this year and reflect on how you came to be in this moment. How did your ancestors’ decisions lead up to the moment? What would your life look like if a different decision was made?

Share your stories with us in the comments and visit the museum this July, for free. We are open the the public all month long with something for everyone. Be sure to see our newest exhibit, “Shaped by Immigrants: Celebrating 250 Years of the United States.” Our aim is to explore the immigrants that shaped the Quad Cities community and tell real stories about real people.

What are you looking forward to this Independence Day?
…

Open
Visit the German American Heritage Center and Museum and the @figgeartmuseum for FREE the entire month of July. There are new exhibits and activities all month long for all ages.

Visit our rotating exhibitions, “Shaped by Immigrants: Celebrating 250 Years of the United States”, “Play On! German Immigrants and the Quad Cities’ Musical Legacy,” and the Davenport Civil Rights Traveling Exhibit on loan from the Putnam Museum. Also take some time to explore our permanent exhibition, “The German Immigrant Experience” which includes a restored hotel room, the interactive passport experience, and All Aboard! children’s activity space.
(Both museums are closed Saturday July 4th).

Free Admission in July is made possible by the generosity of Cal and Jill Werner.

Visit the German American Heritage Center and Museum and the @figgeartmuseum for FREE the entire month of July. There are new exhibits and activities all month long for all ages.

Visit our rotating exhibitions, “Shaped by Immigrants: Celebrating 250 Years of the United States”, “Play On! German Immigrants and the Quad Cities’ Musical Legacy,” and the Davenport Civil Rights Traveling Exhibit on loan from the Putnam Museum. Also take some time to explore our permanent exhibition, “The German Immigrant Experience” which includes a restored hotel room, the interactive passport experience, and All Aboard! children’s activity space.
(Both museums are closed Saturday July 4th).

Free Admission in July is made possible by the generosity of Cal and Jill Werner.
…

Open
In 1994, a few Quad Cities residents looked at an abandoned building and saw something others didn’t: a place full of stories worth saving. Because of them, this space became a museum, a gathering place, and a home for shared history.

After 15+ years of work and countless volunteer hours, they saved it. They built a place for stories, culture, and community. Last year alone, we connected with over 3,000 students, families, and community members through programs, events, and celebrations.

This space exists because people believed it mattered and showed up.
Help us keep it going.

Every gift helps keep this space open, active, and rooted in community. Give through Birdies for Charity by July 1st to maximize your impact.

You can give online today at https://birdiesforcharity.com/donate?charity=1002# 
You can also fill out a pledge card at the museum or send a check to Birdies for Charity with Bird #1002.

In 1994, a few Quad Cities residents looked at an abandoned building and saw something others didn’t: a place full of stories worth saving. Because of them, this space became a museum, a gathering place, and a home for shared history.

After 15+ years of work and countless volunteer hours, they saved it. They built a place for stories, culture, and community. Last year alone, we connected with over 3,000 students, families, and community members through programs, events, and celebrations.

This space exists because people believed it mattered and showed up.
Help us keep it going.

Every gift helps keep this space open, active, and rooted in community. Give through Birdies for Charity by July 1st to maximize your impact.

You can give online today at https://birdiesforcharity.com/donate?charity=1002#
You can also fill out a pledge card at the museum or send a check to Birdies for Charity with Bird #1002.
…

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

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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

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