About The Putnam

Visit the Putnam Museum featuring iconic exclamation point statue and sign. Modern industrial architecture of the Grand Lobby with American flag flying against a cloudless blue sky.
JOIN

Get exclusive access and benefits for the entire year with a membership.

GIVE

Help support our mission in bringing engaging opportunities for all.

ENGAGE

Bring your talents and time to our team through volunteering.

We’ve Been Going Strong For Over 150 Years!

More than 150 years after its founding, the Putnam continues to thrive. The Putnam Museum and Science Center offers unique, immersive, hands-on learning experiences to over 140,000 people each year, including more than 30,000 school/youth group visitors. We exist to preserve our region’s treasures, educate people of all ages in unique and lasting ways, and connect people to each other as they experience science, history, cultures, and environments throughout time and across the globe. The Putnam brings to life a sense of place, time and purpose to ignite human potential and inspire our diverse community to learn about and care for our world and all its people. You belong here!

We Value Our Partners!

The Putnam has developed valuable partnerships to help us achieve these ends. Named a Smithsonian Affiliate in 2010, we have access to long-term loans, educational programs, and professional development opportunities from this preeminent institution. The Putnam is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, earning 100% on all core standards during the museum’s most recent site visit!

STEM Matters!

In 2013, we partnered with NASA to bring a live call with astronauts aboard the International Space Station to 250 students in our GIANT Screen Theater. Most recently, the Putnam Museum and Science Center was named the lead entity for the State of Iowa for the National Girls Collaborative Project, a National Science Foundation-funded initiative that encourages girls to pursue advanced STEM coursework and careers. These national connections, coupled with a range of local partnerships, help maximize our ability to serve our region.

Pictured here is a young woman, approximately 14 years old, smiling as she pulls a lever on an interactive in the Putnam’s Science Center. She is wearing glasses and a t-shirt that spells the word “LOVE” with an Earth representing the letter ‘O.’
The Putnam Science Center has dozens of hands-on experiences for young people of all ages to engage and enjoy.
In April 2014, we opened our Science Center, which has more than 45 hands-on experiences such as the Pull-Yourself-Up Pulley, Laser Fog, Stop Motion Animation, and more. Featuring graphics and information highlighting the connections between the phenomena visitors are experiencing and local Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) careers, the Science Center enhance STEM literacy and helps inspire visitors to pursue further STEM learning opportunities and careers, thereby helping to make our region more economically competitive.

Outstanding Exhibits

Over the years, the Putnam has brought world-renowned blockbuster exhibits such as Diana: A Celebration and Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition to the Quad Cities. We co-curate exhibits with members of different cultures present in the Quad Cities and celebrate our region’s growing international community while working to foster understanding of cultures across the globe and throughout time. 

The Putnam continues to evolve to ensure that we are maximally relevant to the community we serve and that we optimally meet the needs of our region.

Explore More

Please Note: The Museum & Science Center will be closed for maintenance, cleaning, and updates January 8 -12.

We will resume normal hours on Saturday (1/13). Thank you for your patience, understanding and continued support!

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