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    • Play On! German Immigrants and the Quad Cities’ Musical Legacy
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    • Past Exhibitions
  • Learn
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Gold Coast Home Tours

September 15, 2024 |
 12:00 pm -
 4:00 pm
$15

Learn More

A variety of homes open their doors to welcome guests during Davenport’s Gold Coast/Hamburg Historic District Home Tour, Saturday and Sunday, September 14th & 15th

Five homes, including one that will be first time on tour, welcome the public during the 2024 Gold Coast – Hamburg Historic District Home Tour.

The single family houses on tour were built over five decades, from c 1873 to 1915.  Several were gifts from Gold Coast fathers to daughters. They range in design from Foursquare to Italianate to Queen Anne to McClelland Style homes. Across their 150-year time span, one was converted to apartments and another had space carved out to create a duplex unit. Four have been rehabilitated and restoration is underway in the fifth. Architectural features inside the homes reflect the prevailing designs, preferences, and pocketbooks of their original owners. It is from this variety that “Gold Coast Sampler” was chosen as this year’s theme.

In addition to historic homes, “American Pickers” Robbie Wolfe will also welcome the public to view his fantastic collection of antiques and advertising memorabilia located in the former Carl Cleve and Son building at 330 W 5th St.

Tour goers will also be able to enjoy sneak peek into the new Project Renewal building being constructed on Warren Street and help the group celebrate its 50th year of extraordinary service to children and families.

Once again, two buildings that were brought back from vacant/deteriorated condition, the 1861 German American Heritage Center/Miller Hotel and the 1868/1878 Jipp Home & Grocery, will welcome visitors during the tour.

To celebrate the tour, Gold Coast resident Meredith Muskovich has created a “Gold Coast” themed sampler commemorating this year’s tour and the houses on view. Tour goers will be able to purchase tickets for a chance to win the original framed sampler.

Dates: Saturday and Sunday, September 14th/15th, 12N – 4PM.

Tickets: Adults $15.00. Children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets for sale at all tour homes and the German American Heritage Center and the Jipp Home & Grocery on day of tour. Payment is in cash or check. Visitors may begin tour at any stop.

Sampler raffle tickets: $5 per ticket or $20 for five tickets. Tickets on sale at the Meier House, 519 W. 8th Street.

Transportation and Parking: Ample parking is available along all neighborhood streets and in the parking lot on the north side of 5th Street between Western Avenue and Scott Street.  Limited shuttle service will be available, beginning from the parking lot and going to all stops during tour hours.

Locations on Tour: See the image gallery and list of addresses on their website.

Learn more here.

For more information contact:
Sara Bartholomew   [email protected]      563-322-8911
Marion Meginnis      [email protected]    309-781-9253

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German American Heritage Center and Museum

germanamericanheritagecenter

1,411 1,803

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

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.
…

Open
🍻 Need a Father's Day Gift? 

We have unique items for Father's Day if you need a last-minute gift. Check out our selection of German beer, root beer, pickles, sauerkraut, Boetje's Mustard, books, and more. All of our sales are tax-free! Members get 10% off on all gift shop sales.

You can also gift a membership to the museum for those dads that "don't want anything." Give the gift of history and enjoy one of our Kaffee und Kuchen programs or a museum visit anytime with a membership. 
➡️ https://gahc.org/become-a-member/

🍻 Need a Father`s Day Gift?

We have unique items for Father`s Day if you need a last-minute gift. Check out our selection of German beer, root beer, pickles, sauerkraut, Boetje`s Mustard, books, and more. All of our sales are tax-free! Members get 10% off on all gift shop sales.

You can also gift a membership to the museum for those dads that "don`t want anything." Give the gift of history and enjoy one of our Kaffee und Kuchen programs or a museum visit anytime with a membership.
➡️ https://gahc.org/become-a-member/
…

Open
Deutschland to Davenport Part 2
.
.
These are a just a couple examples of some of the framed wall pieces we have in our collection. Perforated paper needlework was popular during the Victorian period (1837-1901). Punched paper was used for many things, but the most common were the motto designs, consisting of biblical sayings, greetings, popular song titles etc. 
.
.
Thanks to our intern, Bella, for researching and making these stories come to life!

Deutschland to Davenport Part 2
.
.
These are a just a couple examples of some of the framed wall pieces we have in our collection. Perforated paper needlework was popular during the Victorian period (1837-1901). Punched paper was used for many things, but the most common were the motto designs, consisting of biblical sayings, greetings, popular song titles etc.
.
.
Thanks to our intern, Bella, for researching and making these stories come to life!
…

Open
For #PrideMonth, we are sharing important stories of LGBTQ+ history in Germany.

In 1920s Berlin, the Eldorado nightclub stood as one of the most visible and vibrant queer spaces in the world. During the Weimar Republic, Berlin was home to an estimated 170 LGBTQ+ venues. Within these spaces, people found something rare for the time: the ability to gather openly, build community, and express themselves with joy and authenticity. The Eldorado was especially well known for its drag performances and lively atmosphere, drawing both locals and curious tourists.

But this visibility existed alongside risk. Laws like Paragraph 175 still criminalized same-sex relationships between men, and gender nonconformity could lead to arrest. Queer spaces like the Eldorado were tolerated, but often contained and monitored. Even so, they offered something powerful: a place to be seen.

That visibility is exactly what made the Eldorado significant—and vulnerable.

In 1933, shortly after the Nazis came to power, the club was shut down. The building was quickly transformed into a headquarters for the SA, the Nazi paramilitary. In a stark and deliberate image of control, photographs show the once-celebrated nightclub covered in swastikas and Nazi propaganda. A space of joy, community, and self-expression was turned into a symbol of fear and oppression almost overnight.

The story of the Eldorado is a reminder of how quickly spaces of belonging can be erased—and why they matter. For a time, it offered a glimpse of what was possible when queer people could live openly. Its loss underscores the devastating impact of Nazi persecution, but also the importance of visibility, community, and resistance.

Learn more about Eldorado Nightclub here: https://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/celebrating-queer-joy-in-1920s-berlin/
Exterior photos show Eldorado Nightclub in 1932 and 1933.

For #PrideMonth, we are sharing important stories of LGBTQ+ history in Germany.

In 1920s Berlin, the Eldorado nightclub stood as one of the most visible and vibrant queer spaces in the world. During the Weimar Republic, Berlin was home to an estimated 170 LGBTQ+ venues. Within these spaces, people found something rare for the time: the ability to gather openly, build community, and express themselves with joy and authenticity. The Eldorado was especially well known for its drag performances and lively atmosphere, drawing both locals and curious tourists.

But this visibility existed alongside risk. Laws like Paragraph 175 still criminalized same-sex relationships between men, and gender nonconformity could lead to arrest. Queer spaces like the Eldorado were tolerated, but often contained and monitored. Even so, they offered something powerful: a place to be seen.

That visibility is exactly what made the Eldorado significant—and vulnerable.

In 1933, shortly after the Nazis came to power, the club was shut down. The building was quickly transformed into a headquarters for the SA, the Nazi paramilitary. In a stark and deliberate image of control, photographs show the once-celebrated nightclub covered in swastikas and Nazi propaganda. A space of joy, community, and self-expression was turned into a symbol of fear and oppression almost overnight.

The story of the Eldorado is a reminder of how quickly spaces of belonging can be erased—and why they matter. For a time, it offered a glimpse of what was possible when queer people could live openly. Its loss underscores the devastating impact of Nazi persecution, but also the importance of visibility, community, and resistance.

Learn more about Eldorado Nightclub here: https://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/celebrating-queer-joy-in-1920s-berlin/
Exterior photos show Eldorado Nightclub in 1932 and 1933.
…

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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