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  • 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
    • Violins of Hope Iowa
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Learn
    • GAHC From Home
    • Internships
    • Volunteer
    • Resources
    • Translation Services
    • Book Discussions​
    • Travel
  • Events
  • About
    • About Us
    • Collections
    • DEAI Statement
    • Staff
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
  • Private Events
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Phone Photography Class

April 21, 2024 |
 2:00 pm -
 3:30 pm
$25-30

Register Here

Learn how to use your smartphone to take artistic, well-crafted photographs. All ages welcome.

Learn how to use your smartphone to take artistic, well-crafted photographs. Professional photographer Dianne Baasch will teach about photography basics and how to capture images from an artistic point of view. Explore dramatic lighting and good composition within photographs. The last half of the session will include a walk around our neighborhood to practice the techniques discussed prior (weather dependent).

Dianne Baasch is an award winning photographer based in New York City. She grew up on a farm near Miles, Iowa, received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Iowa, got her Master’s degree in Library Service at Columbia University, and discovered her love of photography at the San Francisco Art Institute. She developed the skills required to convey her vision at the Maquoketa Newspaper, a graphic design firm, as a celebrity event photographer, and teaching at schools and the International Center of Photography in New York City. Her photographs will be shown in the Dewitt Library, Dewitt, Iowa, from April 14 through mid-May.

“I want to create photographs that have a presence, that show another reality that others may never have access to.”

$25 for members, $30 for non-members. Space is limited to 10 per class.

Register here for April 21st

*This class will primarily talk about iPhone photography, but concepts can be applied to any type of smartphone. All ages welcome.

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German American Heritage Center and Museum

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

Open
Have you seen the Violins of Hope yet?

The last day to view our exhibition is Sunday April 26th. Be sure to stop by and see them before they are gone!

Have you seen the Violins of Hope yet?

The last day to view our exhibition is Sunday April 26th. Be sure to stop by and see them before they are gone!
…

Open
Have you seen the Violins of Hope yet? 

The last day to see these incredible instruments is Sunday April 26th. Be sure to see them at the German American Heritage Center and Museum before they're gone!

Have you seen the Violins of Hope yet?

The last day to see these incredible instruments is Sunday April 26th. Be sure to see them at the German American Heritage Center and Museum before they`re gone!
…

Open
Join us for a FREE program at the German American Heritage Center and Museum in Davenport this Sunday, April 19th. 

In a work of historical fiction based on oral histories, Mary Swander dramatizes the trials of a young Amish man from Kalona, Iowa, who thought he was headed to the Rocky Mountains for a stint of public service as a smoke jumper in lieu of combat during World War II. Instead, he was led off the train by renegade soldiers and illegally imprisoned in a chicken coop with ten other men until the war’s end.

After the performance, join Mary Swander for a discussion about her writing process and the research that went into her new drama called Coop. She will explain object theatre and why she embraced it for this work. She will recount how she got the original idea for the show and the choices she made to bring the story to the stage, how both the set and the script were an act of discovery. She will also provide background on the Amish and the history of their stance of non-violent resistance throughout their history. 

Thank you to Humanities Iowa and the State Historical Society of Iowa for making this program possible. RSVP for this event online: https://events.humanitix.com/coop-a-story-of-an-amish-conscientious-objector

Join us for a FREE program at the German American Heritage Center and Museum in Davenport this Sunday, April 19th.

In a work of historical fiction based on oral histories, Mary Swander dramatizes the trials of a young Amish man from Kalona, Iowa, who thought he was headed to the Rocky Mountains for a stint of public service as a smoke jumper in lieu of combat during World War II. Instead, he was led off the train by renegade soldiers and illegally imprisoned in a chicken coop with ten other men until the war’s end.

After the performance, join Mary Swander for a discussion about her writing process and the research that went into her new drama called Coop. She will explain object theatre and why she embraced it for this work. She will recount how she got the original idea for the show and the choices she made to bring the story to the stage, how both the set and the script were an act of discovery. She will also provide background on the Amish and the history of their stance of non-violent resistance throughout their history.

Thank you to Humanities Iowa and the State Historical Society of Iowa for making this program possible. RSVP for this event online: https://events.humanitix.com/coop-a-story-of-an-amish-conscientious-objector
…

Open
Thomas Meinecke is a German novelist, musician, and Radio DJ. He was born in Hamburg in 1955 and lives in pre-alpine Bavaria south of Munich. His novels are always fueled by music, many kinds of music. The earliest was the music of renowned Davenport musician, Bix Beiderbecke.

"A poster of him with his cornet hung in my room when I was a teenager. On my tour across the United States in April with my novels, it is a dream come true to come to Davenport and listen to some of my favorite Bix records with you and talk about the mystery of his very special music."

Join us for an evening of refreshments, conversation, and listening sessions with Thomas Meinecke as he shares his love of music and Bix Beiderbecke. Thank you to the @goetheinstitut.chicago for making this program possible.

Doors 5:00
Program 5:30

Free and open to the public, suggested donation $10.
Cash Bar available.
RSVP here: https://events.humanitix.com/a-musical-evening-with-thomas-meinecke

Thomas Meinecke is a German novelist, musician, and Radio DJ. He was born in Hamburg in 1955 and lives in pre-alpine Bavaria south of Munich. His novels are always fueled by music, many kinds of music. The earliest was the music of renowned Davenport musician, Bix Beiderbecke.

"A poster of him with his cornet hung in my room when I was a teenager. On my tour across the United States in April with my novels, it is a dream come true to come to Davenport and listen to some of my favorite Bix records with you and talk about the mystery of his very special music."

Join us for an evening of refreshments, conversation, and listening sessions with Thomas Meinecke as he shares his love of music and Bix Beiderbecke. Thank you to the @goetheinstitut.chicago for making this program possible.

Doors 5:00
Program 5:30

Free and open to the public, suggested donation $10.
Cash Bar available.
RSVP here: https://events.humanitix.com/a-musical-evening-with-thomas-meinecke
…

Open
Join us for a FREE program at the German American Heritage Center and Museum in Davenport this Sunday, April 19th. 

In a work of historical fiction based on oral histories, Mary Swander dramatizes the trials of a young Amish man from Kalona, Iowa, who thought he was headed to the Rocky Mountains for a stint of public service as a smoke jumper in lieu of combat during World War II. Instead, he was led off the train by renegade soldiers and illegally imprisoned in a chicken coop with ten other men until the war’s end.

After the performance, join Mary Swander for a discussion about her writing process and the research that went into her new drama called Coop. She will explain object theatre and why she embraced it for this work. She will recount how she got the original idea for the show and the choices she made to bring the story to the stage, how both the set and the script were an act of discovery. She will also provide background on the Amish and the history of their stance of non-violent resistance throughout their history. 

Thank you to Humanities Iowa and the State Historical Society of Iowa for making this program possible.

Join us for a FREE program at the German American Heritage Center and Museum in Davenport this Sunday, April 19th.

In a work of historical fiction based on oral histories, Mary Swander dramatizes the trials of a young Amish man from Kalona, Iowa, who thought he was headed to the Rocky Mountains for a stint of public service as a smoke jumper in lieu of combat during World War II. Instead, he was led off the train by renegade soldiers and illegally imprisoned in a chicken coop with ten other men until the war’s end.

After the performance, join Mary Swander for a discussion about her writing process and the research that went into her new drama called Coop. She will explain object theatre and why she embraced it for this work. She will recount how she got the original idea for the show and the choices she made to bring the story to the stage, how both the set and the script were an act of discovery. She will also provide background on the Amish and the history of their stance of non-violent resistance throughout their history.

Thank you to Humanities Iowa and the State Historical Society of Iowa for making this program possible.
…

Open
We are once again participating in Birdies for Charity, which allows your donation to go even further. Because of you, every dollar raised through Birdies for Charity is matched, amplifying your contribution and ensuring that the museum thrives for years to come.

Because of supporters like you, we are able to continue bringing exciting exhibtions, lively events, and popular programs like Kaffee und Kuchen to the museum. Thank you for your generosity!

Donation links in bio.

We are once again participating in Birdies for Charity, which allows your donation to go even further. Because of you, every dollar raised through Birdies for Charity is matched, amplifying your contribution and ensuring that the museum thrives for years to come.

Because of supporters like you, we are able to continue bringing exciting exhibtions, lively events, and popular programs like Kaffee und Kuchen to the museum. Thank you for your generosity!

Donation links in bio.
…

Open
🐣 Frohe Ostern! The museum is closed today, Easter Sunday.

In Germany, Easter is observed over a four-day period, starting on Good Friday and concluding on Easter Monday. Good Friday is generally a calm, contemplative day that recognizes the crucifixion of Jesus. Many people in Germany go to church services, have fish as their main meal, and honor the day with closed businesses and silent church bells.

On Easter Sunday, people often spend the day preparing for the holiday. Traditional activities include baking lamb-shaped cakes and visiting Easter markets. These markets often sell seasonal decorations and ornaments for Osterbaum (Easter trees). A German custom in which bare branches are decorated with colorful eggs, either in a vase inside or by decorating trees and shrubs outside in their yards and gardens. The trees symbolize new life and renewal, while the eggs represent fertility and rebirth. Another popular custom is the Osterfeuer (Easter bonfire), where large fires are lit in towns and villages to symbolize light overcoming darkness and the arrival of spring after winter. 

🌸 ☀️ 🪺 What are some of your Easter traditions?

🐣 Frohe Ostern! The museum is closed today, Easter Sunday.

In Germany, Easter is observed over a four-day period, starting on Good Friday and concluding on Easter Monday. Good Friday is generally a calm, contemplative day that recognizes the crucifixion of Jesus. Many people in Germany go to church services, have fish as their main meal, and honor the day with closed businesses and silent church bells.

On Easter Sunday, people often spend the day preparing for the holiday. Traditional activities include baking lamb-shaped cakes and visiting Easter markets. These markets often sell seasonal decorations and ornaments for Osterbaum (Easter trees). A German custom in which bare branches are decorated with colorful eggs, either in a vase inside or by decorating trees and shrubs outside in their yards and gardens. The trees symbolize new life and renewal, while the eggs represent fertility and rebirth. Another popular custom is the Osterfeuer (Easter bonfire), where large fires are lit in towns and villages to symbolize light overcoming darkness and the arrival of spring after winter.

🌸 ☀️ 🪺 What are some of your Easter traditions?
…

Open
In 2026, we celebrate the semiquincentennial (250) of the United States! Follow along as we highlight influential German immigrants throughout the history of the United States.

In 1733, John Peter Zenger (October 26, 1697 – July 28, 1746) traveled to America from the Palatinate as an indentured servant. He founded The New York Weekly Journal, the first independent newspaper in America. 

As issues were published, Zenger was soon sued for libel based on articles that accused the British governor of New York, William Cosby, of abusing his power over the colonies.

Two years later, with the help of his defense lawyer, Alexander Hamilton, Zenger was acquitted. The case established the principle that one could not be found guilty for publishing the truth, helping to lay the groundwork for freedom of the press in the colonies.

Their fight against censorship and suppression laid the foundation for the people’s rights and the broader struggle for colonial justice.

Image: Andrew Hamilton defending John Peter Zenger in court, 1734. Library of Congress. Caption: "By no means," exclaimed Hamilton, in his clear, thrilling, silvery voice, "It is not the bar, printing and publishing of a paper that will make it a libel, the words themselves must be libelous, that is false, scandalous, and seditious, else my client is not guilty." Page 558.

In 2026, we celebrate the semiquincentennial (250) of the United States! Follow along as we highlight influential German immigrants throughout the history of the United States.

In 1733, John Peter Zenger (October 26, 1697 – July 28, 1746) traveled to America from the Palatinate as an indentured servant. He founded The New York Weekly Journal, the first independent newspaper in America.

As issues were published, Zenger was soon sued for libel based on articles that accused the British governor of New York, William Cosby, of abusing his power over the colonies.

Two years later, with the help of his defense lawyer, Alexander Hamilton, Zenger was acquitted. The case established the principle that one could not be found guilty for publishing the truth, helping to lay the groundwork for freedom of the press in the colonies.

Their fight against censorship and suppression laid the foundation for the people’s rights and the broader struggle for colonial justice.

Image: Andrew Hamilton defending John Peter Zenger in court, 1734. Library of Congress. Caption: "By no means," exclaimed Hamilton, in his clear, thrilling, silvery voice, "It is not the bar, printing and publishing of a paper that will make it a libel, the words themselves must be libelous, that is false, scandalous, and seditious, else my client is not guilty." Page 558.
…

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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