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    • TOURS
    • Accessibility
    • HOURS & LOCATION
    • BECOME A MEMBER
    • ADMISSION
    • GIFT SHOP
  • Exhibits
    • The German Immigrant Experience
    • German Expressionist Prints
    • The Prints of David and Sarojini Johnson
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Learn
    • GAHC From Home
    • Internships
    • Resources
    • Translation Services
    • Book Discussionsโ€‹
    • Travel
  • Events
  • About
    • About Us
    • Collections
    • DEAI Statement
    • Staff
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Us
  • Private Events
  • Donate

Resources

Resources

Resources and links for teachers, genealogists, researchers, history buffs, and everyone in between.

Click on a title to be redirected to their website

General

German Connections

This online directory has an interactive map where you can search for German organizations across the United States. This online directory is a one-stop shop for all things German-American in the U.S.ย The German American Heritage Foundation strives to represent all people of German-speaking heritage, we invite our Austrian American and Swiss American friends as well to contribute information about clubs, organizations, favorite restaurants, neighborhood businesses, churches, schools, and so much more.

German Connections

Genealogy

Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center and Scott County Genealogical Society (SCIGS)

Located in the basement of the Davenport Public Library, this collections includes free local databases, books, maps, manuscripts, and photographs.ย 

Richardson Sloane Special Collections Website

Family History Center, Davenport, IA

A facility of the LDS Church, the center holds many records both on-site and available through interlibrary loans that are of great importance to genealogists.

Information

IAGenWebProject - Scott County

A group of volunteers working together to provide Internet websites for genealogical research in every county of Iowa.

Website

German Genealogy Headquarters

Based in Iowa City, the German Genealogy team offers courses and webinars for those looking to become better genealogists.ย 

Ursula C. Krause and Ute Brandenburg, two of the most recognized names in German genealogy, are joining forces to offer a completely new concept in German genealogy education. Both bring their unique research strengths to the table to create a team with unrivaled experience.

Their curriculum is designed to empower you as the teller of your ancestorsโ€™ stories. As you develop research skills, you will also gain insights to deeper understand the life experience of those who came before you.

ย Website

Freelance Genealogists

Ursula Krause: offers genealogical research, educational webinars, and personalized consultations.ย Learn More

Ute Brandenburg:ย specializes in reading German script, genealogical research, and educational opportunities. Learn More

German Immigration

German Immigration (Library of Congress)

An online resource for teachers includes an overview of the unique German immigrant story, their growth and influence in the United States. German were one of the first Europeans to immigrate to the New World.

LOC Website

Germans in the Midwest - National Museum of American History

Information about Germans and other European immigrant groups. From the National Museum of American History, a Smithsonian Institution.

Website

The Germans in America - Library of Congress

A chronology of Germans in the United States from 1608-1990.

Website

Local History

Gold Coast and Hamburg Historic District, Davenport

Dedicated to preserving the built heritage of Davenport’s First Neighborhood. Additionally, they collect its histories providing context and understanding of the great importance of this district.

Gold Coast Hamburg Historic District Website

ASHHS - American/Schleswig - Holstein Heritage Society

The American/Schleswig-Holstein Heritage Society was organized in 1989 to preserve the heritage of our Schleswig – Holstein forefathers.

ASHHS is the only German Heritage Society dedicated to promoting and preserving the heritage of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

ASHHS Website

Rock Island County Historical Society

Includes a research library, databases, and museums.

RICHS Website

Rock Island County Genealogical Society

The society has online resources on the site as well as hard copy library that is hosted at the Rock Island County Historical Society building.

RICIGS Website

Rock Island Arsenal Historical Society

The societyโ€™s goal is to support the programs of its museum and the museumโ€™s mission to illustrate Arsenal Island history; its local and national contributions and impacts; and its activities in war and peace.

RIAHS Website

Scott County Historic Preservation Society

Is committed to the cause of historic preservation in Scott County, Iowa.

SCHPS Website

Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society

SCIGS has its genealogical collection at the ‘Richardson-Sloane Special Collection Center’ located in the Davenport Public Library. If your ancestors once lived in the Scott County area, you will find the SCIGS collection very productive and useful.

SCIGS Website

Schuetzenpark Gilde - Schuetzen Park Historic Site

The Schuetzen Park Historic Site is a nature park “Naturschutzgebiet” located in west Davenport at 700 Waverly Road.

The Park was sold in 1923 and its wooded areas remained essentially unchanged for the next 80 years.

Recently, most of the Park’s former grounds were re-acquired and are being preserved as a “Wildpark”. It comprises about 20 acres and is owned and maintained by the Scheutzenpark Gilde. Nature trails are maintained throughout the site. Hours of operation are sun-up to sundown, May-November.

Schuetzenpark Website

Upper Mississippi Valley Photo Archive

An online digital collection of historic images showcasing the Mississippi River Region along the Iowa/Illinois border.

UMVPA Website

QC PastPort

Self-guided, interactive, physical, and digital tours throughout the Quad Cities. Stops along this tour bring our areaโ€™s rich history to life by highlighting architecture, businesses, institutions, and fascinating sites through the stories of the people who were there at the time.ย 

QC Pastport Website

On Germany

Deutsch Americanische National Kongress (German American National Congress) D.A.N.K.

The German American National Congress is the largest organization of Americans of German descent.

The organization seeks to bring Americans of German descent together in the pursuit of cultivating and presenting their heritage and interests on local, regional and national levels.

DANK Website

Goethe Institute

The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germanyโ€™s cultural institute, active worldwide. They promote the study of German abroad and encourage international cultural exchange.

Goethe Institute Website

Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies

The Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies is an interdisciplinary unit in the College of Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsinโ€“Madison. It is dedicated to researching, preserving, and sharing the stories of German-speaking immigrants and their descendants in the larger context of global migration past and present.

Website

DANK Haus German American Cultural Center

The DANK Haus mission is to preserve and promote German culture, heritage, and language through maintaining a center consisting of a museum, art gallery, library, and language school, and organizing educational and social programming focusing on and emphasizing the history, traditions, and contributions of Germans and German Americans.

Website

Traditional Clothing and Heritage Resources

This page describes traditional German clothing (Trachten) and Bavarian-style clothing that is associated with German events and celebrations like Oktoberfest. This site also includes links to other sources regarding genealogy, heritage, German history, and more.

Website

ON INSTAGRAM
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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
Back from the collections with this photograph of a man outside of Tony Hertzner's Bar, Davenport, Iowa. 1880-1900's. There is not much on the photo or the business as far as we know, we just think you might enjoy this photograph too!

Stop by this month to learn more about German Immigrants in the Quad Cities. 
We are open Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM - 4 PM
Closed on Monday

This month we are offering FREE admission on Saturdays during #QCMuseumMonth @visitquadcities

Back from the collections with this photograph of a man outside of Tony Hertzner`s Bar, Davenport, Iowa. 1880-1900`s. There is not much on the photo or the business as far as we know, we just think you might enjoy this photograph too!

Stop by this month to learn more about German Immigrants in the Quad Cities.
We are open Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 4 PM
Closed on Monday

This month we are offering FREE admission on Saturdays during #QCMuseumMonth @visitquadcities
…

Open
๐ŸฅƒOtto Koechert was well known in the Tri-City area. He immigrated from Germany in 1870. It is unclear what Otto did in his free time, he most likely spent time with friends, perhaps spending Sunday afternoons at Schuetzen Park. As time went on, he frequented the saloons more often, and enjoyed alcoholic beverages, often overindulging. According to newspapers, he was "working as a clerk during the first few years of his residence, but showing no ambition and gradually drifting from bad to worse...One who knew him says that he would remain intoxicated for days at a time, until he apparently tired of that condition and would have a sober spell for a few days."

Otto died on March 10th, 1891, in the Germania House, his place of residence. His body found by the proprietress, who noted that he didn't even take off his shoes before falling into bed.  His death was likely result from a stroke induced by overindulgence of alcohol.

712 W. 2nd Street โ€” a historic address that has stood witness to the dramatic and sometimes chilling evolution of Downtown Davenport since the Germania House was first built on this site in 1862. From a string of barbershop murders and a fire at a mental hospital to ghostly sightings at City Hall and sรฉances on a college campus, this former hotel has seen it all. And it has its own dark and fascinating tales to share.

๐Ÿ‘ปAccording to staff, Otto is our resident ghost. You can share your respects to him on our Darker Side of Davenport Walking Tours this month. The walking tours continue tomorrow at 6pm. 

๐ŸŽŸ๏ธReserve your tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/darker-side-of-davenport-walking-tours-6386427j

๐ŸฅƒOtto Koechert was well known in the Tri-City area. He immigrated from Germany in 1870. It is unclear what Otto did in his free time, he most likely spent time with friends, perhaps spending Sunday afternoons at Schuetzen Park. As time went on, he frequented the saloons more often, and enjoyed alcoholic beverages, often overindulging. According to newspapers, he was "working as a clerk during the first few years of his residence, but showing no ambition and gradually drifting from bad to worse…One who knew him says that he would remain intoxicated for days at a time, until he apparently tired of that condition and would have a sober spell for a few days."

Otto died on March 10th, 1891, in the Germania House, his place of residence. His body found by the proprietress, who noted that he didn`t even take off his shoes before falling into bed. His death was likely result from a stroke induced by overindulgence of alcohol.

712 W. 2nd Street โ€” a historic address that has stood witness to the dramatic and sometimes chilling evolution of Downtown Davenport since the Germania House was first built on this site in 1862. From a string of barbershop murders and a fire at a mental hospital to ghostly sightings at City Hall and sรฉances on a college campus, this former hotel has seen it all. And it has its own dark and fascinating tales to share.

๐Ÿ‘ปAccording to staff, Otto is our resident ghost. You can share your respects to him on our Darker Side of Davenport Walking Tours this month. The walking tours continue tomorrow at 6pm.

๐ŸŽŸ๏ธReserve your tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/darker-side-of-davenport-walking-tours-6386427j
…

Open
Save the Date for Christkindlmarkt Quad Cities! This free annual event celebrates the holiday season with a focus on German heritage. Like traditional winter markets around the world, the Quad Cities Christkindlmarkt is an indoor/outdoor artisan craft and gift market with live music, local foods, and local performances.

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Saturday December 13th, 2025 10 am โ€“ 6 pm.
๐Ÿ“ 712 W 2nd Street Davenport, IA 52802

๐Ÿ›๏ธ The museum is free and open to the public all day long.
๐ŸŽ… ๐Ÿ‘น Special appearances by Santa and Krampus!
๐ŸŽถ Live music throughout the day.
โ„๏ธ Get Christkindlmarkt merch, try our homemade Glรผhwien or a German beer, and shop local vendors!

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Interested in being a vendor? Complete our vendor application by November 1st. https://forms.gle/3BozYeDu5XE6RiJM6

Save the Date for Christkindlmarkt Quad Cities! This free annual event celebrates the holiday season with a focus on German heritage. Like traditional winter markets around the world, the Quad Cities Christkindlmarkt is an indoor/outdoor artisan craft and gift market with live music, local foods, and local performances.

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Saturday December 13th, 2025 10 am โ€“ 6 pm.
๐Ÿ“ 712 W 2nd Street Davenport, IA 52802

๐Ÿ›๏ธ The museum is free and open to the public all day long.
๐ŸŽ… ๐Ÿ‘น Special appearances by Santa and Krampus!
๐ŸŽถ Live music throughout the day.
โ„๏ธ Get Christkindlmarkt merch, try our homemade Glรผhwien or a German beer, and shop local vendors!

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Interested in being a vendor? Complete our vendor application by November 1st. https://forms.gle/3BozYeDu5XE6RiJM6
…

Open
This month is busy at the museum! Check out our upcoming events and register online here: https://events.humanitix.com/host/german-american-heritage-center-and-museum
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Darker Side of Davenport Walking Tours
๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ QC Museum Month
๐Ÿฐ Kaffee und Kuchen Lecture Series
๐ŸŽž๏ธ Darker Side of Davenport "Sitting Tour"
๐Ÿ“œ QC Archives Fair

This month is busy at the museum! Check out our upcoming events and register online here: https://events.humanitix.com/host/german-american-heritage-center-and-museum
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Darker Side of Davenport Walking Tours
๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ QC Museum Month
๐Ÿฐ Kaffee und Kuchen Lecture Series
๐ŸŽž๏ธ Darker Side of Davenport "Sitting Tour"
๐Ÿ“œ QC Archives Fair
…

Open
October 6th is #GermanAmericanDay! Today we celebrate German-American heritage. Recognized as a National Holiday by Ronald Reagan on October 6th, 1987, this holiday recognizes the first Germans who settled in Pennsylvania, establishing Germantown. 

30 years ago, William J. Clinton made Proclamation 6834, affirming Reagan's recognition of October 6th as German American day, stating; "Since the earliest days of the settlement of North America, immigrants from Germany have enriched our Nation with their industry, culture, and participation in public life."

You can learn more about German Heritage in America by visiting us! 
Tuesday-Saturday from 10pm-4pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm, we are closed Monday.

Photos from German American Heritage Center and Museum Collection.
You can find Proclamation 6834, in full, on the American Presidency Project's website.

October 6th is #GermanAmericanDay! Today we celebrate German-American heritage. Recognized as a National Holiday by Ronald Reagan on October 6th, 1987, this holiday recognizes the first Germans who settled in Pennsylvania, establishing Germantown.

30 years ago, William J. Clinton made Proclamation 6834, affirming Reagan`s recognition of October 6th as German American day, stating; "Since the earliest days of the settlement of North America, immigrants from Germany have enriched our Nation with their industry, culture, and participation in public life."

You can learn more about German Heritage in America by visiting us!
Tuesday-Saturday from 10pm-4pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm, we are closed Monday.

Photos from German American Heritage Center and Museum Collection.
You can find Proclamation 6834, in full, on the American Presidency Project`s website.
…

Open
โญ๏ธ October is #QCMuseumMonth! We're excited to offer free admission on Saturdays in October and an extra 10% off in the gift shop. Check out our exhibitions, attend an event, and see what's going on at the museum for the month of October. 

๐Ÿ“ฑ Sign Up FREE with the QC Museum Month 2025 mobile pass to track your journey, take advantage of deals, and become eligible for a giveaway prize basket at the end of the month! Learn more and sign up here: https://qcmuseumweek.com/

The mobile pass is not required to take advantage of the free admission and discounts at the GAHC+M. 

#qcthatswhere #downtowndavenport #museum #quadcities

โญ๏ธ October is #QCMuseumMonth! We`re excited to offer free admission on Saturdays in October and an extra 10% off in the gift shop. Check out our exhibitions, attend an event, and see what`s going on at the museum for the month of October.

๐Ÿ“ฑ Sign Up FREE with the QC Museum Month 2025 mobile pass to track your journey, take advantage of deals, and become eligible for a giveaway prize basket at the end of the month! Learn more and sign up here: https://qcmuseumweek.com/

The mobile pass is not required to take advantage of the free admission and discounts at the GAHC+M.

#qcthatswhere #downtowndavenport #museum #quadcities
…

Open
๐ŸŽฅ We're looking forward to a rare opportunity to see Casablanca (1942) on the big screen as we wrap up From Hitler to Hollywood: Film Series at the Last Picture House 

Join us on Wednesday, October 1st at The Last Picture House in Davenport for a viewing of this iconic film followed by a discussion in the theater. 

Set against the shadow of World War II, Casablanca is more than a timeless romantic drama: it is also a film deeply tied to the lives of those who lived its story off-screen. Directed by Michael Curtiz, himself a Hungarian รฉmigrรฉ, and brought to life by actors like Paul Henreid, Conrad Veidt, and many supporting cast members who fled Nazi Germany, the movie carries an authenticity that goes far beyond Hollywood fiction. Their own exile, displacement, and resistance to fascism mirrors the struggles of the characters they portray, giving the film an emotional tension and urgency that still resonates today. In Casablanca, the line between cinema and lived history blurred, creating not just a love story, but a document of exile, courage, and survival in the face of tyranny.

๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Tickets are $15 and available online or at the door. We will have a 3:00 and 6:00 showing on Wednesday the 1st. https://events.humanitix.com/film-series-at-the-last-picture-house 

๐Ÿบ Try a pint of Erbe '48, a Mรคrzen brewed for us by Twin Span Brewing. A dollar from ever beer purchased goes back to the museum. 

Artwork by Bruce Walters.

๐ŸŽฅ We`re looking forward to a rare opportunity to see Casablanca (1942) on the big screen as we wrap up From Hitler to Hollywood: Film Series at the Last Picture House

Join us on Wednesday, October 1st at The Last Picture House in Davenport for a viewing of this iconic film followed by a discussion in the theater.

Set against the shadow of World War II, Casablanca is more than a timeless romantic drama: it is also a film deeply tied to the lives of those who lived its story off-screen. Directed by Michael Curtiz, himself a Hungarian รฉmigrรฉ, and brought to life by actors like Paul Henreid, Conrad Veidt, and many supporting cast members who fled Nazi Germany, the movie carries an authenticity that goes far beyond Hollywood fiction. Their own exile, displacement, and resistance to fascism mirrors the struggles of the characters they portray, giving the film an emotional tension and urgency that still resonates today. In Casablanca, the line between cinema and lived history blurred, creating not just a love story, but a document of exile, courage, and survival in the face of tyranny.

๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Tickets are $15 and available online or at the door. We will have a 3:00 and 6:00 showing on Wednesday the 1st. https://events.humanitix.com/film-series-at-the-last-picture-house

๐Ÿบ Try a pint of Erbe `48, a Mรคrzen brewed for us by Twin Span Brewing. A dollar from ever beer purchased goes back to the museum.

Artwork by Bruce Walters.
…

Open
Check out our Fall Kaffee und Kuchen calendar for upcoming programs for October and November. Link in bio.

1:30 Coffee and Cake
2:00 Program
Free for members! RSVP online preferred, but walk-ins welcome. 

๐Ÿ•ฐ๏ธ October 12th - Wonderfully Weird Objects from the @putnammuseum Collections with Christine Chandler
๐Ÿง™โ€โ™€๏ธ October 26th - The Wicked and the Weird: Stories from the Quad Cities with John Brassard Jr. (@strangeanddreadfulthings)
๐Ÿš‚ November 9th - The Danville Station Museum and Anne Frank with Janet Hesler 
๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ช November 23rd - The Belgian Connection: Belgium's Influence Abroad and in the Quad Cities

#programs #history #halloween #quadcities #iowa #illinois #events #fall #autum #museum #kaffeeundkuchen #german #midwest

Check out our Fall Kaffee und Kuchen calendar for upcoming programs for October and November. Link in bio.

1:30 Coffee and Cake
2:00 Program
Free for members! RSVP online preferred, but walk-ins welcome.

๐Ÿ•ฐ๏ธ October 12th – Wonderfully Weird Objects from the @putnammuseum Collections with Christine Chandler
๐Ÿง™โ€โ™€๏ธ October 26th – The Wicked and the Weird: Stories from the Quad Cities with John Brassard Jr. (@strangeanddreadfulthings)
๐Ÿš‚ November 9th – The Danville Station Museum and Anne Frank with Janet Hesler
๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ช November 23rd – The Belgian Connection: Belgium`s Influence Abroad and in the Quad Cities

#programs #history #halloween #quadcities #iowa #illinois #events #fall #autum #museum #kaffeeundkuchen #german #midwest
…

VISIT US

German American Heritage Center & Museum
712 W 2nd St.
Davenport, IA 52802

HOURS

Tuesdays โ€“ Saturdays open 10 am โ€“ 4 pm
Sundays open 12 โ€“ 4 pm
Closed Mondays

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German American Heritage Center & Museum
712 W 2nd St.
Davenport, IA 52802
Tuesdays โ€“ Saturdays open 10 am โ€“ 4 pm
Sundays open 12 โ€“ 4 pm
Closed Mondays

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