Kaffee und Kuchen
March 10, 2024 |
1:30 pm -
3:00 pm
FREE
As part of a relatively quiet and under-publicized government program, thousands of enemy soldiers invaded Iowa in 1943. With the hugely successful 1942 Allied campaign against Adolf Hitler’s vaunted Afrika Corps in North Africa, the number of enemy prisoners of war (POW) needing interment grew dramatically. Great Britain, no longer able to accommodate the increasing number of POWs, looked to the United States for help. Helping with the detainment of enemy POWs made sense, as American cargo vessels were returning home after delivering war materials with empty hulls.
What began as an experiment in isolated locations in the south and southwest eventually led to more than 500 camps and 400,000 enemy soldiers interned in the United States, including two camps in the state of Iowa. Due to a severe shortage of agricultural laborers coupled with increased War Food Administration quotas for farm goods, Iowa’s farmers needed help doing their part to assist the United States in winning the war.
This talk will focus on the creation of two POW camps in Iowa during the Second World War: one in the Northern Iowa town of Algona and one in the Southwestern Iowa town of Clarinda. Some of the topics discussed will be life in a prisoner of war camp, community relations, the POW labor program, branch camps in more than 30 Iowa communities and the arrival of Japanese prisoners at Camp Clarinda in early 1945. Camp Clarinda was one of only two camps in the country to house Japanese soldiers. The story of POW internment in Iowa is a fascinating story of Iowans being confronted by the enemy: an enemy they not only needed to help them meet their wartime goals, but also challenged them to find their humanity.
Chad W. Timm is an Associate Professor of Education at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. He taught high school history for 15 years and has also been teaching future social studies teachers since 2010. His Master’s Degree in Agricultural History and Rural Studies and his PhD in Education are both from Iowa State University.
1:30 Refreshments
2:00 Program
FREE, sponsored by Humanities Iowa
Register HERE
GAHC members get in free to our 8th annual Best of the Wurst sausage competition, held this Sunday, July 13th from 12:00 am- 4:00 pm! Along with local Here`s the Scoop ice cream, guests can sample local brats, purhcase from a variety of delicious foods, and enjoy an ice cold beer or pop! And don`t forget to vote for your favorite “wurst!” Live music, ice cream, and balloon twisting are just some of the special activities we have planned. $5 entry per person, kids under 12 and members are free. Tickets are available at the door, cash or card is accepted. Here`s some of the fun that we had at last year`s Best of the Wurst!
Independence Day may be over, but our appreciation for service members is never-ending. Now until Labor Day (September 1st, 2025), active-duty military personnel and their families can visit the German American Heritage Center for free!
Did you know the Col Ballroom in the West End of Davenport, is part of the National Register of Historic Places?
Though renamed in 1914, Col Ballroom originates from the Saengerfest Halle. This building brought together German musicians across the Midwest. Today it is no longer a performance venue, but we can keep its legacy alive by talking about it.
Now on display in our first floor gallery.
Visits are free this month! Come see this exhibit and more, our hours are, Tues-Sat 10am to 4pm, Sun 12pm-4pm, and Closed on Mondays.
This Sunday, July 13th from 12:00 am- 4:00 pm, we`ll host our 8th annual Best of the Wurst sausage competition! Guests can sample local brats, purchase a variety of delicious food, enjoy an ice cold beer or pop, and vote for your favorite “wurst!” This year we will also ice cream from Here`s the Scoop to taste! Live music, ice cream, and balloon twisting are just some of the special activities we have planned. $5 entry per person, kids under 12 and members are free. Tickets are available at the door, cash or card is accepted. Take a look at some photos from last year`s Best of the Wurst competition:
Join us Sunday July 13th from 12:00- 4:00 pm for our 8th annual Best of the Wurst sausage competition! Sample local brats, purchase a variety of delicious food, enjoy an ice cold beer or pop, and vote for your favorite “wurst!” Live music, ice cream, and balloon twisting are just some of the special activities we have planned. $5 entry per person, kids under 12 and members are free. Tickets are available at the door, cash or card is accepted. Here`s a throwback to last year`s Best of the Wurst!
🎆 The museum will be closed on Friday July 4th in observance of Independence Day.
Have a safe and fun holiday! We will be back open regular hours on Saturday.
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.
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