The Putnam Museum and Science Center (1717 W. 12^th St., Davenport) will hold the grand opening of the Family Discovery Center, a brand-new early‑learning environment designed especially for young explorers and the families and educators who support them, on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m., in an afternoon of exploration, connection, and hands-on discovery.

This new center was made possible in part with support from the Arconic Foundation, whose commitment to education and community enrichment helped bring this early‑learning space to life, according to a museum release.

Created with Pre K–K educators and families in mind, the Family Discovery Center offers a warm, welcoming, and interactive space that encourages young learners to explore the world around them through play. Guests attending the grand opening will enjoy a guided tour of the new center, followed by a screening of Make a Circle (2024) on the Giant Screen at 3 p.m.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet Keosha Westphal, the Putnam’s Preschool Educator, who played a key role in shaping the space to support early childhood development.

“When designing this new space, we focused on early STEM learning through hands-on, child-led play,” said Westphal. “Interactive elements like the Family Table and Family Tree give children and caregivers a simple way to connect and discover their roots, while the block play center naturally encourages problem-solving and experimentation. Every material in the room was chosen intentionally to support curiosity and critical thinking. By keeping the space screen-free and sensory-friendly, with soft play areas, open-ended materials, and calming visuals, we’ve created an environment where young children can explore at their own pace and families will enjoy spending time together.”

The Family Discovery Center Grand Opening will take place on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Putnam Museum and Science Center. The event is free for educators and their families with a valid school ID.

The Putnam looks forward to welcoming families, educators, and community members to discover this exciting new resource for early childhood learning in the Quad Cities.

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Jonathan Turner

Jonathan Turner -- who has called the Quad Cities home since 1995 -- has decades of experience as a professional journalist and pianist. His experience writing for daily newspapers, public radio and local TV encompasses a wide range of subjects, including the arts, politics, education, economic development, historic preservation, business, and tourism.

Jonathan most loves writing about music and the arts (which he now does as a freelancer for the River Cities Reader and Visit Quad Cities). He has a passion for accompanying musicals, singers, choirs and instrumentalists, including playing for QC Music Guild's 2023 productions of RENT and SWEENEY TODD. He is assistant music director and accompanist for the spring 2025 Music Guild show, ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE. He wrote an original musical based on The Book of Job, which premiered at Playcrafters in 2010. Jonathan penned a 175-page history book about downtown Davenport, that was published by The History Press in 2016, and a travel guide about the QC published by Reedy Press in 2022.