World War II was one of the most infamous and historically significant events of the past century, and now, through Jan. 17, you can learn more about this fascinating and tragic conflict at Davenport’s German American Heritage Center & Museum (712 W 2nd St. Davenport). WWII was a global conflict that forever altered society and touched the lives of people around the world, including right here in Iowa. The year 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII. With this exhibit we remember and commemorate that momentous occasion. Through local headlines, personal letters, and historic... Read More

A Free Virtual Program From Illinois Roads Scholars will be held Sunday, October 18th at 2pm at the German American Heritage Center in Davenport. The program is titled THE JOURNEY TO MOLLIE’S WAR: WACS AND WWII by Cyndee Schaffer. Members of the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) were the first women other than nurses to serve overseas in World War II. Cyndee Schaffer’s mother, Mollie Weinstein Schaffer, was one of them. Drawing upon excerpts from Mollie’s letters written home during the war, this presentation provides a romantic, yet frightful, glimpse into the life of a woman in uniform during... Read More

The Davenport Public Library is pleased to partner with the Hoover Museum and Presidential Library for this live webinar! This event is part of the 3rd Thursdays at Hoover’s Presidential Library & Museum series. Join us Thursday, October 15th at 6:00 pm for “Heroism and Humanity Behind German Lines,” presented by historian and author Jeffrey B. Miller. To register, please visit here. Miller has written extensively on the WWI Commission for Relief in Belgium (CRB) and will share his insights into Herbert Hoover’s humanitarian efforts, delivering compelling portraits of young... Read More

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, as Japan unconditionally surrendered to the Allies on Aug. 14, 1945. To commemorate the end of the global conflict (which killed 416,800 U.S. military), the German American Heritage Center in Davenport has a new exhibit – “Valor & Victory Gardens: WWII in the Hawkeye State.” It explores how the war impacted Iowa. With this exhibit, the museum remembers and commemorates the period through local headlines, personal letters, and historic artifacts. World War II cost the lives of 5,633 Iowa soldiers, as well as 18,601 from Illinois.... Read More