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  • Visit
    • TOURS
    • Accessibility
    • HOURS & LOCATION
    • BECOME A MEMBER
    • ADMISSION
    • GIFT SHOP
  • Exhibits
    • The German Immigrant Experience
    • What’s New? Recent Acquisitions to the Collection
    • 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
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Breaking Barriers: Walls throughout History

1st Floor Gallery

February 6th – May 5th, 2024

Throughout history, walls have played a significant role in shaping our world. From the battlements surrounding ancient cities to the bright lines dividing nations, these structures have been a constant presence in our lives. However, while walls might provide us with a sense of geographic and metaphoric certainty, the relationship between people and these structures is often more complicated than it appears.

Walls are not just physical structures. They can also be metaphorical, representing societal and cultural divisions that separate people. The notion of “us vs. them” has been reinforced by such walls, leading to conflict and discrimination.

For those living along the US/Mexico border, the hardening of this boundary has brought about changes that have both increased security for some and created more uncertainty for others. Similarly, the wall built by Israel to combat terrorism has instead become a symbol of oppression and occupation for Palestinians. And, while the Berlin Wall was once a source of tension between capitalist and communist leaders, everyday Berliners mourned the families they could no longer see.

Despite the origins of walls and borders, the stories they tell about those who live in their shadow are real. From the Great Wall of China to the Israel/West Bank barrier, Breaking Barriers: Walls Throughout History provides insight into the history and significance of these imposing infrastructural elements.

Companion Program:

Berlin: Before and After the Wall Fell with Russell Baldner

Sunday May 5th, 2024.  

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German American Heritage Center and Museum

germanamericanheritagecenter

1,244 1,530

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

Open
Downtown Davenport Lemonade Sip N' Shop:
🍋 Saturday, May 31 in Downtown Davenport. Stroll through locally loved shops, enjoy refreshing lemonade and take advantage of special deals at participating businesses. 

🛍️ The museum will be open 10 am - 4 pm and visitors can get 10% off any gift shop purchase! (Members get 20%)!

We have lots of neat gifts and goods from Germany. Also, all of our merchandise is tax-free! Funds generated from sales go back to supporting the museum's mission. Check out our selection of beer, canvas tote bags, kitchen and home decor, books, games, and much more.
Learn more here: https://www.downtowndavenport.com/blog-news/lemonade-sip-n-shop

Downtown Davenport Lemonade Sip N` Shop:
🍋 Saturday, May 31 in Downtown Davenport. Stroll through locally loved shops, enjoy refreshing lemonade and take advantage of special deals at participating businesses.

🛍️ The museum will be open 10 am – 4 pm and visitors can get 10% off any gift shop purchase! (Members get 20%)!

We have lots of neat gifts and goods from Germany. Also, all of our merchandise is tax-free! Funds generated from sales go back to supporting the museum`s mission. Check out our selection of beer, canvas tote bags, kitchen and home decor, books, games, and much more.
Learn more here: https://www.downtowndavenport.com/blog-news/lemonade-sip-n-shop
…

Open
We are a proud participant in Blue Star Museums which offers free admission for active military and their immediate families. The 2025 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17, 2025, and run through Labor Day, September 1, 2025.

Come view our exhibitions, attend a Kaffee und Kuchen program, and more. Check out all of the participating museums here: https://www.arts.gov/blue-star-museums-map

We are a proud participant in Blue Star Museums which offers free admission for active military and their immediate families. The 2025 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17, 2025, and run through Labor Day, September 1, 2025.

Come view our exhibitions, attend a Kaffee und Kuchen program, and more. Check out all of the participating museums here: https://www.arts.gov/blue-star-museums-map
…

Open
Enjoy our seasonal guided tours of the museum! Our next tour is this Saturday, May 17th at 11:00 am.
The tour is open to the public and included with regular admission.
View our admission rates: https://gahc.org/admission-2/

Tour begins at 11:00 am in the lobby. No RSVP required. The tour will last until approximately 12:30.

Visitors will explore our permanent exhibition, The German Immigrant Experience, along with our two rotating galleries.

The tour is open to all ages. We have children’s activity kits and sensory kits available at the front desk for visitors to use for free during their visit.
Learn more on our website: https://gahc.org/events/guided-museum-tour/

Enjoy our seasonal guided tours of the museum! Our next tour is this Saturday, May 17th at 11:00 am.
The tour is open to the public and included with regular admission.
View our admission rates: https://gahc.org/admission-2/

Tour begins at 11:00 am in the lobby. No RSVP required. The tour will last until approximately 12:30.

Visitors will explore our permanent exhibition, The German Immigrant Experience, along with our two rotating galleries.

The tour is open to all ages. We have children’s activity kits and sensory kits available at the front desk for visitors to use for free during their visit.
Learn more on our website: https://gahc.org/events/guided-museum-tour/
…

Open
Our Next Kaffee und Kuchen is this Sunday, May 18th. Join us for cake, coffee, and conversation about a local historic treasure, The Hauberg Estate. 

The Weyerhaeuser and Denkmann Lumber Company helped shape the Midwest’s lumber industry, with Frederick Denkmann and Friedrich Weyerhaeuser building one of the most successful timber businesses of the 19th century. The Hauberg family, through Susanne Denkmann Hauberg (Denkmann’s daughter and her husband John Hauberg), continued this legacy of business leadership and philanthropy in Rock Island. Their impact lives on in local landmarks including the estate, which is now a civic center, historic home museum, and public gathering space. 

This program is free for our members and $8 for non-members. Registration is encouraged but not required: https://events.humanitix.com/kaffee-und-kuchen-the-hauberg-estate

Our Next Kaffee und Kuchen is this Sunday, May 18th. Join us for cake, coffee, and conversation about a local historic treasure, The Hauberg Estate.

The Weyerhaeuser and Denkmann Lumber Company helped shape the Midwest’s lumber industry, with Frederick Denkmann and Friedrich Weyerhaeuser building one of the most successful timber businesses of the 19th century. The Hauberg family, through Susanne Denkmann Hauberg (Denkmann’s daughter and her husband John Hauberg), continued this legacy of business leadership and philanthropy in Rock Island. Their impact lives on in local landmarks including the estate, which is now a civic center, historic home museum, and public gathering space.

This program is free for our members and $8 for non-members. Registration is encouraged but not required: https://events.humanitix.com/kaffee-und-kuchen-the-hauberg-estate
…

Open
We have LOVED seeing your favorites from our Recent Acquisitions exhibition. 💕 
We are so thrilled to see our visitors make connections to items from our collection to things or people in their own lives. 

This exhibition is open through June 1st, so make sure to come by and see it if you haven't already.

📍 712 W 2nd St
Davenport, Iowa 52802
Sundays 12 - 4 pm
Tuesdays - Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm

We have LOVED seeing your favorites from our Recent Acquisitions exhibition. 💕
We are so thrilled to see our visitors make connections to items from our collection to things or people in their own lives.

This exhibition is open through June 1st, so make sure to come by and see it if you haven`t already.

📍 712 W 2nd St
Davenport, Iowa 52802
Sundays 12 – 4 pm
Tuesdays – Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm
…

Open
Did you know our banquet hall is available to rent? With gorgeous views of downtown Davenport, competitive rates, ample parking spaces, no catering contracts, this is a great space to utilize for graduation parties, birthday parties, wedding showers, and more!

To inquire about rates and availability, contact christa@gahc.org or by calling 563-322-8844. All details available on our website: https://gahc.org/private-events/

Did you know our banquet hall is available to rent? With gorgeous views of downtown Davenport, competitive rates, ample parking spaces, no catering contracts, this is a great space to utilize for graduation parties, birthday parties, wedding showers, and more!

To inquire about rates and availability, contact [email protected] or by calling 563-322-8844. All details available on our website: https://gahc.org/private-events/
…

Open
We have some new items in our gift shop! We have large canvas tote bags with various designs including Gustave Klimt and Albrecht Dürer. These would make great Mother's Day gifts or a fun summer purchase for trips to the farmer's market. ☀️🎁🎨🧺🌱 
Purchases in our museum are always tax free!

$16.00 each
$14.40 member price

📍 712 W 2nd Street
Davenport, Iowa 52802

We have some new items in our gift shop! We have large canvas tote bags with various designs including Gustave Klimt and Albrecht Dürer. These would make great Mother`s Day gifts or a fun summer purchase for trips to the farmer`s market. ☀️🎁🎨🧺🌱
Purchases in our museum are always tax free!

$16.00 each
$14.40 member price

📍 712 W 2nd Street
Davenport, Iowa 52802
…

Open
Become a Volunteer Tour Guide This Summer at the GAHC+M!

The German American Heritage Center is seeking volunteer tour guides to present our Historic Summer Walking Tours through the Gold Coast Neighborhood. Our tours explore the architecture and rich history of the homes and businesses in one of Davenport's oldest neighborhoods. As a tour guide, you will lead intimate groups along a 1.5 mile route stopping at a selection of some of the most interesting sites in our historically German neighborhood.

Skills Required: Tour guides should be comfortable walking uphill and public speaking. Training will be provided. 

Tours occur on the following Saturdays this summer: June 14 and 28, July 12 and 26, August 9 and 23. (Volunteers are not required to be available for all tour dates.)

To apply: Send a letter of interest to aaron@gahc.org.
Choice for this position is dependent on an interview.
Please submit your letter of interest no later than Friday May 27th.

Pictured: Henry Lischer House. Lischer was the owner and publisher of one of Davenport's German-language newspapers, "Der Demokrat." The paper was founded by German immigrants in November 1851 and went defunct in 1918 due to anti-German attitudes during World War I.

Become a Volunteer Tour Guide This Summer at the GAHC+M!

The German American Heritage Center is seeking volunteer tour guides to present our Historic Summer Walking Tours through the Gold Coast Neighborhood. Our tours explore the architecture and rich history of the homes and businesses in one of Davenport`s oldest neighborhoods. As a tour guide, you will lead intimate groups along a 1.5 mile route stopping at a selection of some of the most interesting sites in our historically German neighborhood.

Skills Required: Tour guides should be comfortable walking uphill and public speaking. Training will be provided.

Tours occur on the following Saturdays this summer: June 14 and 28, July 12 and 26, August 9 and 23. (Volunteers are not required to be available for all tour dates.)

To apply: Send a letter of interest to [email protected].
Choice for this position is dependent on an interview.
Please submit your letter of interest no later than Friday May 27th.

Pictured: Henry Lischer House. Lischer was the owner and publisher of one of Davenport`s German-language newspapers, "Der Demokrat." The paper was founded by German immigrants in November 1851 and went defunct in 1918 due to anti-German attitudes during World War I.
…

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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