Uncover the Stories Behind the Artifacts
We offer a wide range of engaging, curator-led programs designed for adult audiences and lifelong learners. Each program is one hour in length (unless noted) and is presented by a curator for a fee of $100 per program. Programs can be offered on-site at the Museum or as outreach presentations. Programs outside the metro Quad Cities area are available and will include an additional travel fee based on distance.
Explore all of the offerings below. Topics span history, anthropology, natural science, and material culture, with formats ranging from lectures and multimedia presentations to hands-on experiences using museum collections. Please note that several programs are specifically intended for adults only and are not suitable for children.
Outreach Offerings
BARBIE-THE AVERAGE AMERICAN GIRL?
This is an adult program and not intended or suitable for children.
Discover the history of the “all American girl” and how she evolved from a comic for adult males in Germany’ Learn about the evolution of Barbie and her family. What mistakes made by the manufacturers proved to be publicity nightmares? This is an entertaining and irreverent look at an iconic American toy.
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
THE BRITISH INVASION - THE BEATLES AND CULTURE
Who were the Beatles? (as if you didn’t know) How did they influence world culture in the few years the band was together, and why did Americans embrace them so enthusiastically?
Learn the answers to these questions and more as we explore the history of the Fab Four in this irreverent and informative look at their history.
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
THE CONSPIRACY ABOUT THE DAVENPORT TABLETS
During the late 1800s, the Davenport Science Academy (now Putnam Museum) played an important part in the stage of archaeology. Find out about the infamous Davenport Tablets and discover how they helped change archaeology forever.
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
FORT ARMSTRONG: THE STORY BEFORE THE ARSENAL
This is an adult program and not intended or suitable for children.
This is the story about an Island in the Mississippi River that has been used by humans for millennia. From camping to a prison to manufacturing, the Rock Island Arsenal island has been called everything from sacred to hell.
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
MUMMY MYSTERIES AT THE PUTNAM
Discover how the Putnam used CT scans to discover more about their mummies. Virtually peel back the wrappings and look inside one mummy, and examine hidden secrets of the unwrapped mummy.
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
NATIONAL TREASURES AT THE PUTNAM MUSEUM
When the Putnam became a Smithsonian Affiliate, we chose objects that we believed were nationally significant. See which of Putnam’s objects the Smithsonian confirmed are National Treasures! And see a few that we consider International Treasures! The program is presented as an PowerPoint slide show.
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
PREHISTORY OF THE QUAD CITIES
Learn about the first people who lived in the Quad Cities area over 10,000 years ago. Discover how their culture changed until they greeted the first EuroAmerican to arrive here.
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
STITCHING THROUGH TIME-A HISTORY OF QUILTING
Through history many women focused their artistic talents on producing handicrafts and household goods. Quilts offered women a blank slate for their creative expression. A Powerpoint slide show allows viewers to discover the history of the American quilt and see some of the amazing quilts in the Putnam Museum’s Collection.
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
WHAT'S UNDER IT? 100 YEARS OF WOMEN'S UNDERGARMENTS
This is an adult program and not intended or suitable for children.
WEDDING TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD
This is an adult program and not intended or suitable for children.
What wedding traditions have been practiced throughout time and across the world? This PowerPoint program examines the origins of many of our popular wedding traditions and discusses others practiced around the world that you have probably never heard of!
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
WOMEN INVENTORS IN OUR REGION AND BEYOND
Explore the brilliant and practical inventions dreamed up by women in our region and across the country. Why are there so few inventions by women through history? What are some of the craziest inventions by both men and women? This PowerPoint program explores the history of innovative women in the Quad Cities and beyond.
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
WOMEN'S CLOTHING AND SOCIETY
During the 1800s, women’s clothing restricted them from taking an active part in society. Learn how society and clothing changed to allow women to join the workforce, participate in sports and other active pursuits. This program is presented through a PowerPoint slide show showing examples of clothing from the Putnam’s vast collection.
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
CLOTHING OF ANNE FRANK, FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Designed for youth audiences.
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
COMMON GROUND- MAKING AN EXHIBIT TOGETHER
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
THE PUTNAM! OUR HISTORY
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
FROM THE FEMALE HAND: SAMPLERS
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
SILK ROAD EXCHANGES: WHAT TRAVELED THE ROAD?
Presenter: Christina Kastell, Curator of History & Anthropology
HERBARIUM TALES
It’s not just about the plants! Learn why collections of pressed plants are becoming more & more important to science today while Putnam Curator of Natural Science, Chris Chandler, shares fascinating stories about the history, lives & adventures of the people who collected the Putnam’s plants.
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
POLLINATOR POP QUIZ (15 minutes)
All about pollinators, what they do and why they need them.
STRANGE OBJECTS: CELEBRATING WONDERFULLY WEIRD OBJECTS FROM THE PUTNAM COLLECTIONS.
The Putnam Museum has been collecting natural science, history and anthropology objects for over 150 years. Artifacts and specimens from all over the world have been donated by local residents and avid collectors. The collection is large and eclectic to say the least. And, let’s admit it, some artifacts are just weird. From hairballs to bloodletting devices, none of these objects will ever be designated “national treasures,” but many have earned a place in the hearts and memories of the Quad Cities’ community. Learn the stories behind these well-loved objects and many of the other wonderfully strange pieces preserved at the Putnam.
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
THE DEADLY MUSEUM: FROM POISON ARROWS TO HOT ROCKS
Join Putnam Curator of Natural Science, Chris Chandler, on a whirlwind tour of some of the hazards museum staff contend with day-to-day working with the objects they love in their collections. You may never look at a mummy or a mounted bird the same way again.
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM AND IT'S COLLECTIONS
The Putnam Museum has been collecting natural science, history and anthropology objects for over 150 years. Artifacts and specimens from all over the world have been donated by local residents and avid collectors. The collection is large and eclectic to say the least. And, let’s admit it, some artifacts are just weird. From hairballs to bloodletting devices, none of these objects will ever be designated “national treasures,” but many have earned a place in the hearts and memories of the Quad Cities’ community. Learn the stories behind these well-loved objects and many of the other wonderfully strange pieces preserved at the Putnam.
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
AFRICAN ADAPTATION SAFARI
Lions, Cheetahs & Elephants, Oh My! Take an African Adaptation Safari with Curator of Natural Science, Chris Chandler. Are you curious about how elephants hear with their feet, what’s with the Lion’s mane, and what you have to do to run as fast as a Cheetah?—then this is the program for you. With help from the museum’s collections, we’ll discover some of the more innovative ways Mother Nature has worked her magic to create animals highly adapted to the African wilderness.
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
GIFTS FROM THE SEA
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
YOU DO WHAT FOR A LIVING?
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
A CENTURY OF MYSTERY: REDISCOVERING THE PUTNAM MAGIC MIRROR
The story of how a Japanese “magic” mirror was found in the Putnam collection in 2022. Why it is called “magic” and how it works. Note: the Magic Mirror is on permanent display in the Putnam Vault.
Presenter: Nora Moriarty, Assistant Curator
THE ETRUSCANS
A Unique Ancient Culture: An introduction to Etruscan civilization, their interactions with the Greeks, and their influence on the Romans. Includes artifacts from the Putnam Museum collection.
Presenter: Nora Moriarty, Assistant Curator
INTRODUCTION TO GREEK HISTORY AND ART
Presenter: Nora Moriarty, Assistant Curator
In-House Offerings
ANIMAL FLIGHT
What’s the largest animal to ever fly; who is the fastest flyer? Learn how bumblebees fly, & how the myth that they shouldn’t be able to do so started. Explore how flying squirrels, fish & snakes (yes, snakes!)
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
WHAT MINERAL IS THAT?
Takes participants through the basics of mineral identification and how to create their own mineral test kit.
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
MYTHICAL BEASTS
Examines the characteristics of such beasts as dragons, mermaids & the cyclops while exploring the possible real-world origins for them.
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
EGYPTIAN GODS & BEASTS
Explores the animals associated with ancient Egyptian deities. Think Anubis & the jackal or Thoth & the ibis. What do these Gods & creatures have in common?
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
ALIENS IN YOUR BACKYARD
Examines invasive species and other non-native plants and animals, the crazy way some of them got here and what sorts of problems arise with such arrivals.
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS
Explores the many adaptations related to the idea of how animals get their next meal or how they avoid becoming someone else’s next meal. From dinosaurs to puffer fish, and a whole lot in between.
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
DEADLY ANIMALS
Same idea as Animal Adaptations, but the emphasis is on animals that possess poison or venom, & how they use these substances for survival.
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
MEDICINAL PLANTS ON THE PRAIRIE
Explores local native plant species & how they were used by indigenous people & European settlers alike to fight illness.
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
NATURE'S GEOMETRY (MOTHER NATURE'S MATH)
Learn how everyday objects found in nature. like sunflowers. can teach us principles in math, geometry, etc. (Fibonacci numbers & spirals, geometric shapes & patterns, etc.). Looks at the adaptive basis of why certain numbers. shapes, etc., persistently occur in nature.
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
HOW TO CURATE YOUR OWN EXHIBIT
Participants bring in “artifacts” they want to use to create a mini-exhibit. Explore ideas of theme, label & display.
Presenter: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science
LET'S CURATE! ARTIFACT RESEARCH & IDENTIFICATION
Explores how museums acquire stuff. What questions do you ask when someone brings in a donation; what information is important &/or required to accept an item into the collection.
Presenters: Christine Chandler, Curator of Natural Science & Christina Kastell, Curator of History and Anthropology
ANCIENT GREEK VASES
An introduction to the different shapes and styles of vases the Ancient Greeks created, and what they were used for. Includes artifacts from the Putnam Museum collection. Can include an activity to create your own pop-up paper vase. (for younger children)
Presenter: Nora Moriarty, Assistant Curator
