Have you heard about the Quad-Cities’ own serial killer? The tale of an angry brothel owner in Bucktown? What about Davenport’s connection to the Barrow gang (of “Bonnie and Clyde” fame)? You can learn about these urban legends and historic Davenport’s dark past in a virtual program presented Sunday by Kelly Lao, executive director of the German American Heritage Center & Museum. The free 2 p.m. Zoom lecture includes Davenport artist Bruce Walters’s famous Halloween inspired photography and ominous art works. Milan serial killer Henry Bastian was a German immigrant farmer,... Read More

Don your Dirndl or Lederhosen, crack open your favorite beer, and virtually join the German American Heritage Center & Museum on Sunday Oct 11 from 2 – 3 p.m. for Oktoberfest by the Numbers. Oktoberfest by the Numbers is a fun-fact filled presentation about Germany’s largest Volksfest by Kelly Lao, Executive Director of the GAHC. This presentation will be presented live over Zoom. This event is free to the public. Donations are greatly appreciated. Donation-based tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oktoberfest-by-the-numbers-tickets-121434117715. A zoom link will... Read More

DAVENPORT — Like many other Quad-Cities events impacted this year by Covid-19, the German American Heritage Center in Davenport will hold its third-annual Best of the Wurst Sausage Competition virtually next month. Out of an abundance of caution, this year’s Best of the Wurst will be a special, socially distanced event, rather than the usual in-person festival. You can support Best of the Wurst vendors throughout the month of August, vote for your favorite vendor, and enter to win special prizes. On Saturday, Aug. 29th at 2 p.m., GAHC will announce the contest winner on Facebook Live. Here’s... Read More

Like many musicians, artists, theaters and other arts organizations in this surreal time, Quad-Cities museums are putting their collections and programs online. Forced by the coronavirus crisis to close down March 17, Davenport’s Figge Art Museum, German American Heritage Center & Museum, and Putnam Museum & Science Center have significantly boosted their websites and social-media presence. The “virtual museum” has become reality for museums worldwide. “The challenge is with reaching our audience during this time of closure, really has brought this new opportunity... Read More

So, what’s new and exciting at the German American Heritage Center at 712 W. 2nd St., Davenport? Glad you asked! Here’s the deal for the next week: Share Your Story! Have a woman immigrant story in your family? Help us share it in the exhibit! Send a picture and their story to ktd@gahc.org and they’ll take care of the rest!   Spring Scherenschnitte (Paper-Cutting) Saturday, March 25 2D Class: 9:00-10:00am | 3D Class: 10:00-11:30am 3D Class is SOLD OUT $15 Members | $20 Non-members Pre-registration & Pre-payment required! Call (563) 322-8844 or email info@gahc.org to register!   Felted... Read More

The German American Heritage Center is, as usual, awash in new events heading into the year. Here’s what’s up at everyone’s favorite local German American Heritage Center located at 712 W Second Street, Davenport . . . Now through June 4 the Moline Buffalo Wild Wings will be donating a portion of their proceeds to the German American Heritage Center! Just request “Group O” prior to your order, and a portion of your bill will be donated to the German American Heritage Center! Sunday, Feb. 26 join us for “Fascinating Fasching,” a presentation by Kathi Hofmann on Germany’s... Read More

Davenport’s German American Heritage Center is starting the new year off with a bang, with a bunch of family-friendly events for kids still on break, families looking for interesting things to do and anyone just wanting a change of pace event. Below are a multitude you will not want to miss! January 8th: Community Open House, 12-4pm Free admission to the museum Presentations by Glenn Ehrstine 1pm: German-Iowan Newspapers & the News of the Day, 1860-1920 3pm: German Iowans & the Politics of Brewing January 15: Women Immigrant Exhibit Opening A new multicultural exhibit focusing on the... Read More

December is here and snow is on the rooftops, waiting for Santa! The Countdown til Christmas has begun so be sure to grab those last minute gifts and stocking stuffers from our gift shop! The German Heritage Center has stocked items especially for the Holiday season to be sure delight everyone in your family. To also spread some holiday cheer, be sure to attend a free concert, “Unser Geschenk: Our Gift”, by the Davenport Zither Ensemble. The concert will be on December 11 starting at 2 PM at St Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church. Come here the soothing sounds of Zither music! The center’s... Read More

Achtung! There’s plenty coming up in the German American Heritage Center, 712 W Second Street, Davenport, in November! It starts with The Untold Story of Santa: Behind the White Beard; the new exhibit created by students of the Creative Arts Academy, sponsored by the Hubbell-Waterman Foundation, on the 1st floor! Open until January 8th. Sausage Saturdays;  Jerry’s Market will be selling sausage and other goods from the 1st floor on November 12th and 19th from 11-1pm. Come grab a bite! Germany and the Reformation; Learn about the life of Martin Luther and nailing of his 95 thesis sparking... Read More

Two new events are brewing Saturday, Oct. 15 at the German American Heritage Center, 712 W. 2nd St., Davenport. A Genealogy Workshop with Antje Petty runs from 9:30am-12:00pm. Cost is $35 Members $40 nonmembers, pre-registration and payment are required prior to the event. Antje will cover two topics-“Your Family History” (9:30-10:30) and “German-American Resources for Genealogists” (11:00-12:00) in this two session workshop. Also that day, the SUDS German Homebrew Beer Tasting takes place for those 21-and-older from 6-8 p.m. Cost is $20 in advance $25 at the door $30 for... Read More