Heavenly Bodies: A Virtual Talk with Photographer Paul Koudounaris
September 22, 2022 |
6:00 pm -
7:00 pm
$0-5
“Heavenly Bodies” delves even deeper into study of obscure macabre art history by presenting the forgotten story of a group of skeletons taken from the Roman Catacombs in the seventeenth century and completely decorated with jewels by teams of nuns. The book described how these bodies, known as catacomb saints, were identified as Early Christian martyrs, then sent primarily to German-speaking lands where they were decorated and placed into Catholic Churches. Such skeletons were mostly removed and destroyed during the Enlightenment, but Dr. Paul Koudounaris tracked down all the surviving examples and photographed them for the book.
Dr. Paul Koudounaris has a PhD in art history from UCLA and an international speaking career, and he is one of the world’s most popular historians of the eccentric, ephemeral, and macabre. His publications in the field of charnel house and ossuary research have made him a well-known figure in the field of macabre art and art history.
This program is free for members and $5 for non-members.
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.
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#/
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/
Our Historic Summer Walking Tours kickoff this weekend! Our tours start downtown at our historic building and explore the homes and businesses of the German immigrants who lived and worked here. Learn their stories, explore history of Davenport, and appreciate the amazing architecture of the Gold Coast homes.
Tours are $10 per person and are around 1.5 miles over a 2 hour time span. Register online in our bio or call 563-322-8844.
Upcoming tour dates:
June 14, 28
July 12, 26
August 9, 23
https://events.humanitix.com/summer-walking-tours
Our next Kaffee und Kuchen is this Sunday! Russ Baldner will join us and share the incredible history and architecture of Dresden.
This program will be offered both in-person and virtually. Register online here: https://events.humanitix.com/kaffee-und-kuchen-dresden-a-royal-saxon-jewel
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
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
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/
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