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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
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  • Private Events
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Klassiks for Kinder: German Toys with Joy

1st Floor Gallery

August 13th, 2023 – January 7th, 2024

German toys have had a significant impact on the world’s toy industry, particularly in the areas of design and innovation. From the invention of the teddy bear to the development of the modern plastic building block, German toy makers have left their mark on the industry.
This exhibition celebrates and showcases the wide range of toys that have come from German manufacturers or have been inspired by German design. Colorful displays and many hands-on stations to try some of these toys for yourself, this exhibition is abundant with wonder and imagination for both children and adults.


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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
This violin belonged to Ole Steffen Dahl, a resistance fighter with the Danish Army who helped transport 7,200 Jewish Danes to safety in Sweden in 1943. 

Ole Dahl was also a luthier—a craftsperson who builds or repairs string instruments. This violin belonged to Steffen as a child, and he kept it with him his entire life. After his death, his son Chris kept this violin on a shelf at home for about 20 years. 

In 2023, Chris donated his father’s violin to the Violins of Hope project. 

You can see this violin on display at the museum through April 12th, and then will be transferred to Sioux City, Iowa to be played in their Symphony concerts. The Violins of Hope exhibiton will be at the German American Heritage Center and Museum through April 26th, 2026.

#violinsofhope #violins #history #museum

This violin belonged to Ole Steffen Dahl, a resistance fighter with the Danish Army who helped transport 7,200 Jewish Danes to safety in Sweden in 1943.

Ole Dahl was also a luthier—a craftsperson who builds or repairs string instruments. This violin belonged to Steffen as a child, and he kept it with him his entire life. After his death, his son Chris kept this violin on a shelf at home for about 20 years.

In 2023, Chris donated his father’s violin to the Violins of Hope project.

You can see this violin on display at the museum through April 12th, and then will be transferred to Sioux City, Iowa to be played in their Symphony concerts. The Violins of Hope exhibiton will be at the German American Heritage Center and Museum through April 26th, 2026.

#violinsofhope #violins #history #museum
…

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: 
Plants by Brad - will have a selection of live plants and crystals.
Mi Bella Resin - epoxy resin keychains, trays, and more, crocheted shawls, market bags, and earrings.
Trixie's Tipsy Teapots - yard art made out of repurposed teapots and other seasonal home decor.

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:
Plants by Brad – will have a selection of live plants and crystals.
Mi Bella Resin – epoxy resin keychains, trays, and more, crocheted shawls, market bags, and earrings.
Trixie`s Tipsy Teapots – yard art made out of repurposed teapots and other seasonal home decor.

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
What was the GAHC+M like in the 90s? 

After the purchase of our building in 1994, volunteers and community members came together to restore the former Standard Hotel and transform it into a museum and cultural heritage space. The 1860s building served as a modest hotel for early immigrants who ultimately settled in the Quad Cities area.

Over 30 years later, our vibrant organization has grown and become a landmark for preserving the immigrant stories that helped shape our community today. We're so thankful to those who had a vision and  were committed to a seemingly impossible task that became so much more than just "saving an old building."

Do you remember the building before the renovation?
#90s #museum #history #quadcities #qcthatswhere #QC #Iowa #Illinois

What was the GAHC+M like in the 90s?

After the purchase of our building in 1994, volunteers and community members came together to restore the former Standard Hotel and transform it into a museum and cultural heritage space. The 1860s building served as a modest hotel for early immigrants who ultimately settled in the Quad Cities area.

Over 30 years later, our vibrant organization has grown and become a landmark for preserving the immigrant stories that helped shape our community today. We`re so thankful to those who had a vision and were committed to a seemingly impossible task that became so much more than just "saving an old building."

Do you remember the building before the renovation?
#90s #museum #history #quadcities #qcthatswhere #QC #Iowa #Illinois
…

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: 
Becky Powell - Handmade goat milk soaps and lotions.

Heritage Natural Lather - andcrafted in Peoria, Illinois, we are a small-batch soap company committed to all-natural ingredients and local sustainability. HNL partners with neighboring makers and businesses to incorporate their natural byproducts—such as coffee grounds or flower petals—into soap bars, reducing waste and honoring those working to keep our economy local. From traditional German Soleseife (brine soap) to a variety of other nourishing formulations, Heritage Natural Lather products seek to transform your daily rituals into moments of precious pause.

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:
Becky Powell – Handmade goat milk soaps and lotions.

Heritage Natural Lather – andcrafted in Peoria, Illinois, we are a small-batch soap company committed to all-natural ingredients and local sustainability. HNL partners with neighboring makers and businesses to incorporate their natural byproducts—such as coffee grounds or flower petals—into soap bars, reducing waste and honoring those working to keep our economy local. From traditional German Soleseife (brine soap) to a variety of other nourishing formulations, Heritage Natural Lather products seek to transform your daily rituals into moments of precious pause.

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 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.
…

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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