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    • Play On! German Immigrants and the Quad Cities’ Musical Legacy
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    • Past Exhibitions
  • Learn
    • GAHC From Home
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Kaffee und Kuchen

June 9, 2024 |
 1:30 pm -
 3:00 pm
FREE

RSVP Here

This event is sponsored by Humanities Iowa and is free and open to the public.

Referring to her book, Torn Out Memories, Dr. Hutchins tells the experiences of a child living under the Nazi occupation of Poland and during the Warsaw Uprising. She relates her personal trauma to the terrors suffered by the victims of 9/11 attacks.

1:30 Refreshments
2:00 Program

RSVP Here

Danuta Zamojska Hutchins, of Storm Lake, was born in Warsaw, Poland and experienced the ravages of Nazi occupation, their reprisals for the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 and Poland’s fall to communism after its liberation by the Soviet Army. Dr. Hutchins left Poland in 1962 to study American literature and language at the University of Minnesota. She received her Ph.D. in Modern Languages, Education and Linguistics from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Dr. Hutchins has taught Slavic Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Buena Vista College (now University) at Storm Lake, Iowa; Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana; Iowa State University at Ames, Iowa and Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio. She has also taught courses in German Language, Literature and History and Russian Language and Literature at Teikyo-Westmar University and Westmar University at Le Mars, Iowa from which she retired at its closure in 1995. She has authored many papers and book chapters in her field and has written four books of general interest. Her early retirement enabled her to devote her time to her artwork, resulting in several successful group and solo exhibits of paintings, etchings and sculpture.

Before or after the program, view our newest exhibition, Immigration Then and Now: Finding Refuge in the Quad Cities. This exhibition explores the Quad Cities’ history of welcoming immigrants from Europe in the past centuries and its current role as a sanctuary for immigrants and refugees from around the world. This shared history creates a global connection through the universal experience of starting anew in a foreign land.

This exhibition is in partnership with World Relief Quad Cities and supported by the Moline Regional Community Foundation.

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German American Heritage Center and Museum

germanamericanheritagecenter

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

Open
We're looking forward to some unique gifts and jewelry from our vendors on Saturday at our Eiermarkt Spring Vendor Market  from 10 am - 2 pm.

Here's a sneak peek at some of our vendors who will be here this weekend: 
Silver Spoon Rings & Things - Jewelry made out of repurposed silverware and birdbaths.
T Sage Jewelry Designs - One-of-a-kind handmade and designed jewelry made from polymer clay.
Sharon's Christal Palace - Sterling silver and gemstone jewelry, earrings, bracelets, pendants, rings, minerals out of semi precious stones.
kacielynnheals | Soul Coach -  Handmade collage art pieces, books, tarot decks, incense, crystal jewelry, and more.

FREE ADMISSION to the market and the museum all day. Browse for gifts and discover all our vendors have to offer. 
🗓️ Saturday March 28th, 2026
⏰ 10 am - 2 pm
📍 712 W 2nd St. Davenport, Iowa

We`re looking forward to some unique gifts and jewelry from our vendors on Saturday at our Eiermarkt Spring Vendor Market from 10 am – 2 pm.

Here`s a sneak peek at some of our vendors who will be here this weekend:
Silver Spoon Rings & Things – Jewelry made out of repurposed silverware and birdbaths.
T Sage Jewelry Designs – One-of-a-kind handmade and designed jewelry made from polymer clay.
Sharon`s Christal Palace – Sterling silver and gemstone jewelry, earrings, bracelets, pendants, rings, minerals out of semi precious stones.
kacielynnheals | Soul Coach – Handmade collage art pieces, books, tarot decks, incense, crystal jewelry, and more.

FREE ADMISSION to the market and the museum all day. Browse for gifts and discover all our vendors have to offer.
🗓️ Saturday March 28th, 2026
⏰ 10 am – 2 pm
📍 712 W 2nd St. Davenport, Iowa
…

Open
We're looking forward to some unique gifts and art from our vendors on Saturday at our Eiermarkt Spring Vendor Market from 10 am - 2 pm.

Here's a sneak peek at some of our vendors who will be here this weekend: 
@prayerful.arts - Handmade pysanky eggs (traditional folk art), jewelry, and more.
 
@painted_wildflower - Painted artwork featuring bold florals and landscapes. 
Make sure to check out Painted Wildflower's custom painted ceramic pieces of our building! Available in the museum's gift shop.

FREE ADMISSION to the market and the museum all day. Browse for gifts and discover all our vendors have to offer. 
🗓️ Saturday March 28th, 2026
⏰ 10 am - 2 pm
📍 712 W 2nd St. Davenport, Iowa

We`re looking forward to some unique gifts and art from our vendors on Saturday at our Eiermarkt Spring Vendor Market from 10 am – 2 pm.

Here`s a sneak peek at some of our vendors who will be here this weekend:
@prayerful.arts – Handmade pysanky eggs (traditional folk art), jewelry, and more.

@painted_wildflower – Painted artwork featuring bold florals and landscapes.
Make sure to check out Painted Wildflower`s custom painted ceramic pieces of our building! Available in the museum`s gift shop.

FREE ADMISSION to the market and the museum all day. Browse for gifts and discover all our vendors have to offer.
🗓️ Saturday March 28th, 2026
⏰ 10 am – 2 pm
📍 712 W 2nd St. Davenport, Iowa
…

Open
We're looking forward to some unique gifts and goods from our vendors on Saturday at our Eiermarkt Spring Vendor Market from 10 am - 2 pm.

Here's a sneak peek at some of our vendors who will be here this weekend: 
Wheaten Woolens - wool applique rug hooking and vintage textiles.
First Lutheran Church Ladies - Hand sewn table linens, kitchen items, all occasion cards, Easter baskets, and mini breads.
@macabrelibrarian - Blind date with a book, handmade bookish goods.

FREE ADMISSION to the market and the museum all day. Browse for gifts and discover all our vendors have to offer. 
🗓️ Saturday March 28th, 2026
⏰ 10 am - 2 pm
📍 712 W 2nd St. Davenport, Iowa

We`re looking forward to some unique gifts and goods from our vendors on Saturday at our Eiermarkt Spring Vendor Market from 10 am – 2 pm.

Here`s a sneak peek at some of our vendors who will be here this weekend:
Wheaten Woolens – wool applique rug hooking and vintage textiles.
First Lutheran Church Ladies – Hand sewn table linens, kitchen items, all occasion cards, Easter baskets, and mini breads.
@macabrelibrarian – Blind date with a book, handmade bookish goods.

FREE ADMISSION to the market and the museum all day. Browse for gifts and discover all our vendors have to offer.
🗓️ Saturday March 28th, 2026
⏰ 10 am – 2 pm
📍 712 W 2nd St. Davenport, Iowa
…

Open
We're looking forward to some delicious goodies from our vendors on Saturday at our Eiermarkt Spring Vendor Market from 10 am - 2 pm.

This year we have @hazelbakingco, Stephanie's Baked Goods, and ABCanning--all locally handmade foods and desserts.

We`re looking forward to some delicious goodies from our vendors on Saturday at our Eiermarkt Spring Vendor Market from 10 am – 2 pm.

This year we have @hazelbakingco, Stephanie`s Baked Goods, and ABCanning–all locally handmade foods and desserts.
…

Open
In honor of International Women's Day, here are some influential German women and their lasting impact:

Dorothea Erxleben (1715-1762): First female doctor of medicine in Germany, she challenged the societal norms of her time and paved the way for women’s advancement in education and rights.

Ricarda Huch (1864-1947): Pioneering German intellect and the first woman to earn a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Zurich.

Käthe Kollwitz (1867-1945): German artist who used emotionally powerful, realist printmaking to depict poverty, war, and the struggles of workers and women, becoming a pioneering female member of the Prussian Academy of Arts and an enduring voice for social justice through art.

Hanna Reitsch (1912-1979): Pioneering female aviator who set multiple world records, became a prominent figure in military aviation, and later established a gliding school in Ghana.

Hildegard Knef (1925-2002): Pioneering German actress, singer, writer whose bold work helped reshape post-war German culture and gave voice to women’s experiences.

Anne Frank (1929-1945): Became a powerful symbol of resilience and the human spirit, shaping literature, education, and the world’s understanding of the Holocaust.

Christa Luding-Rothenburger (1959-Present): Made history by achieving winning medals in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games in the same year. 

These women challenged the limits placed on women in their eras, inspiring others and paving the way for future generations. Who are some women who inspire you? 🇩🇪

PHOTO: A poster for the 9th International Women's Day observance in Germany, 8 March 1914. This poster, by Karl Maria Stadler, demanding voting rights for women, was banned in the German Empire. (Public domain)

In honor of International Women`s Day, here are some influential German women and their lasting impact:

Dorothea Erxleben (1715-1762): First female doctor of medicine in Germany, she challenged the societal norms of her time and paved the way for women’s advancement in education and rights.

Ricarda Huch (1864-1947): Pioneering German intellect and the first woman to earn a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Zurich.

Käthe Kollwitz (1867-1945): German artist who used emotionally powerful, realist printmaking to depict poverty, war, and the struggles of workers and women, becoming a pioneering female member of the Prussian Academy of Arts and an enduring voice for social justice through art.

Hanna Reitsch (1912-1979): Pioneering female aviator who set multiple world records, became a prominent figure in military aviation, and later established a gliding school in Ghana.

Hildegard Knef (1925-2002): Pioneering German actress, singer, writer whose bold work helped reshape post-war German culture and gave voice to women’s experiences.

Anne Frank (1929-1945): Became a powerful symbol of resilience and the human spirit, shaping literature, education, and the world’s understanding of the Holocaust.

Christa Luding-Rothenburger (1959-Present): Made history by achieving winning medals in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games in the same year.

These women challenged the limits placed on women in their eras, inspiring others and paving the way for future generations. Who are some women who inspire you? 🇩🇪

PHOTO: A poster for the 9th International Women`s Day observance in Germany, 8 March 1914. This poster, by Karl Maria Stadler, demanding voting rights for women, was banned in the German Empire. (Public domain)
…

Open
Behind the scenes of our Violins of Hope installation! Now open, this exhibition showcases violins that have a connection to Jewish musicians connected to the Holocaust. Through these instruments, we learn about the unique experiences of their owners, if they are known. 
Visit the museum now through April 26th to see the Violins of Hope on display.
📍 712 W Second St. Davenport, Iowa

Behind the scenes of our Violins of Hope installation! Now open, this exhibition showcases violins that have a connection to Jewish musicians connected to the Holocaust. Through these instruments, we learn about the unique experiences of their owners, if they are known.
Visit the museum now through April 26th to see the Violins of Hope on display.
📍 712 W Second St. Davenport, Iowa
…

Open
The Violins of Hope is a state-wide commuinty collaboration to honor and preserve the stories of those impacted by the Holocaust. For many musicians, their violins were their key to survival. By playing in orchestras and in camps, Jewish violinists were kept alive for their ability to provide music. 

We will have several violins on display with the stories of their owners at the German American Heritage Center and Museum in Davenport, Iowa through April 26th. For more information and other exhibitions and events, visit www.violinsofhopeiowa.com

The Violins of Hope is a state-wide commuinty collaboration to honor and preserve the stories of those impacted by the Holocaust. For many musicians, their violins were their key to survival. By playing in orchestras and in camps, Jewish violinists were kept alive for their ability to provide music.

We will have several violins on display with the stories of their owners at the German American Heritage Center and Museum in Davenport, Iowa through April 26th. For more information and other exhibitions and events, visit www.violinsofhopeiowa.com
…

Open
Happy Birthday, Jacob Strasser!

Born on February 22, 1831, Strasser immigrated to New Orleans with his family at the age of ten and ultimately settled in Davenport in 1851. His love of music played a key role in shaping German musical culture in the city. Around 1855, the Strasser Band emerged, featuring Strasser and several other local musicians. Frequently performing at picnics, street parades, and community events, the band thrived throughout the decade. Associated with the Iowa National Guard, the Strasser Band grew in popularity and traveled around the region to perform at special occasions, including the 1893 World’s Fair in St. Louis.

As the band’s reputation expanded, its musical influence helped lay the groundwork for the creation of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (originally known as the Tri-City Symphony) in 1916. Remarkably, this symphony developed in what was then the smallest community in the United States able to sustain a full orchestra, a lasting testament to the strong musical culture that Strasser helped to foster.

We have some Strasser's Band artifacts on display in our current exhibition, "Play On! German Influence on QC Music History," on display through August 2nd, 2026.

Happy Birthday, Jacob Strasser!

Born on February 22, 1831, Strasser immigrated to New Orleans with his family at the age of ten and ultimately settled in Davenport in 1851. His love of music played a key role in shaping German musical culture in the city. Around 1855, the Strasser Band emerged, featuring Strasser and several other local musicians. Frequently performing at picnics, street parades, and community events, the band thrived throughout the decade. Associated with the Iowa National Guard, the Strasser Band grew in popularity and traveled around the region to perform at special occasions, including the 1893 World’s Fair in St. Louis.

As the band’s reputation expanded, its musical influence helped lay the groundwork for the creation of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (originally known as the Tri-City Symphony) in 1916. Remarkably, this symphony developed in what was then the smallest community in the United States able to sustain a full orchestra, a lasting testament to the strong musical culture that Strasser helped to foster.

We have some Strasser`s Band artifacts on display in our current exhibition, "Play On! German Influence on QC Music History," on display through August 2nd, 2026.
…

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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