Kaffee und Kuchen

germanamericanheritagecenter

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

🚗 🇩🇪 Are you stopping by this Saturday, May 2nd for the annual VW Car Show? Admission to the show and the museum is free and open to the public. Food will be available on-site for purchase. See some of Germany`s most iconic cars and visit with the owners to hear about the work they`ve done on these unique cars.

Grab a brat to eat, check out the classic Beetles, Westfalia vans, and kit cars, then step inside the museum to see our historic building and explore our exhibitions. Make sure to check out the view from the 4th floor!

712 W 2nd St.
Davenport, Iowa
Car Show: 10 am – 1 pm
Museum open: 10 am – 4 pm …

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🧙‍♀️ Walpurgisnacht, celebrated on April 30th, is one of the most intriguing traditions in German cultural history. Often called the “Night of Witches,” it sits at the intersection of folklore, seasonal celebration, and Christian tradition. Long before it was linked to witches and bonfires, the night marked the transition from winter to spring; a time associated with warmth, light, and new growth.

The name comes from Saint Walpurga, an 8th-century abbess and missionary whose feast day falls on May 1. Over time, her name became connected with existing spring observances. Across Europe, people gathered on the eve of May Day to light fires and celebrate the changing season, blending Christian and older folk traditions into a distinct cultural moment.

#Walpurgisnacht is especially rich in symbolism. Bonfires played a central role, both as festive gatherings and as protective rituals believed to ward off evil spirits before the new season began. Folklore also tied the night to stories of witches gathering on mountaintops, adding a darker, mysterious dimension. This blend of seasonal joy and supernatural legend has helped the tradition endure.

Photos: Costumes at a Walpurgisnacht parade.
Crowd on Walpurgisnacht at the Thingstätte on the Heiligenberg in Heidelberg. …

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Join us on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 from 10 AM to 1 PM for the annual VW Car Show right in our parking lot! Admission to the show and the museum is free and open to the public. Food will be available on-site for purchase.

Join us for a fun-filled day of classic Beetles, Westfalia vans, kit cars and more! Come and see the history of one of Germany’s most iconic car brands right in our parking lot.

We will feature a special appearance by a replica of Iowa’s first bookmobile, “The Lydia,” named for librarian Lydia Margaret Barrette of Rock Island and Davenport.

First launched in 1926 by the Iowa Library Association, the “Book Caravan” brought library services to rural communities, stopping at country schools and farm homes. For $50 per week, counties could host the traveling library to build support for local library systems.

Known as “The Lydia,” the bookmobile carried out Barrette’s vision of expanding access to books across Iowa, guided by the slogan: “Three books to every man, woman and child in Iowa.”

Parking at the museum is limited. We encourage visitors to utilize the street parking on 3rd street or surrounding streets. There may be spaces off of 2nd St and Western Ave where the old YMCA used to be.

The German American Heritage Center and Museum will be free and open to the public all day, Saturday May 2nd, 2026. …

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April 26 is recognized as National Pretzel Day!

There is no single story about the invention of the pretzel, as many cultures have adapted it in their own ways. However, the most widely told version centers on an Italian monk who wanted to keep the attention of his pupils. He rolled out dough and crossed the ends to resemble the way the students’ arms were meant to be folded during prayer. Earning the Latin name "Bracellae" which translates to “little arms.”

After the invention of pretzels, their popularity boomed throughout Europe and the Middle Ages. The ingredients, four and water, were cheap and commonly given to the poor as nourishment.

Pretzels have found their way into various stories of accidental invention. Though the invention was invented by an Italian, the pretzel is often associated with Germany, with a specific distinction between a traditional pretzel and German pretzel. The German pretzel originated from the baker of the Munich Royal Cafe in 1839. While preparing to bake pretzels, and brushing them with sugar-water, he accidentally used a sodium hydroxide solution that was used as a cleaner for the bakery equipment. He baked them anyway, and pulled out a crispy brown crusted pretzel with a salty taste.

In addition to these stories, the innovation of hard pretzels originated in about 1600 when a baking apprentice in Pennsylvania fell asleep and overcooked the batch.

In Germany many children are known to wear pretzel necklaces on New Year`s Day. Where the phrase “tying the knot” originated from the Swiss tradition of newlyweds breaking a lucky pretzel in the same manner as a wishbone.

Another country of intention is Austria. At Christmas, pretzels were part of tree decorations in the sixteenth century, in addition to this, they believe that the monks were baking pretzels in the basement of their monastery in 1510, when they heard Ottoman Turks tunneling underground.

Lastly, pretzel lore made its way to America on the Mayflower, where pretzels were reportedly used to trade with Native Americans. The snack remains popular to this day!

Photo: Street types of New York City: Emigrant and pretzel vendor, ca. 1896. Library of Congress. …

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We were thrilled to welcome Thomas Meinecke to Davenport on Saturday evening for a special program celebrating Bix Beiderbecke and his music.

Thomas bought his first jazz record in Germany when he was 14 with pocket change. He quickly fell in love with Bix Beiderbecke and his music. This sparked a lifelong interest in American Jazz, music, and Bix`s life. He even recounted tearing a page out of a library book in his youth because it had Bix`s portrait on it, and he wanted to hang it in his room!

Now a novelist and Radio DJ, his love of music has shaped his career. This spring he is traveling the United States with the Goethe-Institut to promote his books. During a few days off this weekend, Thomas was excited to make a side trip to Davenport to visit Bix`s hometown. Thank you @goetheinstitut.chicago for collaborating with us and making this event possible. We are so thrilled to make international connections and bring exciting events here to the museum. Vielen Dank! 🇩🇪 🇺🇸 …

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What led to the Holocaust’s escalation? Dr. Robinson Yost breaks down the impact of Operation Barbarossa and why it remains a critical moment in history.

Join us for Kaffee und Kuchen on Sunday April 26th. Registration available online or at the door. …

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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! …

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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! …

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