History Galleries

Explore the History exhibits at the Putnam museum. Featuring a collage of Marguerite Le Claire, west African feline stool, Native American bead work, an colorful yellow African mask and a historic black and white photo on an African American female arsenal worker.

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Everyone Has a Story to Tell, You'll Hear It Here!

You’re living your history every day. It surrounds us and shapes us.

And at The Putnam, you’ll learn new ways to see the world around you by understanding our past and the past lives of other cultures who make our area a unique and rich tapestry.

For years, visitors to The Putnam have marveled at the secrets of Asia and Ancient Egypt, revealed in our exhibits which feature items collected by noted Quad Citian, B.J. Palmer.

More recently-currated exhibits explore and celebrate the diversity of ethnic groups who now call the Quad Cities home. The museum’s Common Ground exhibit will reveal many little-known facts about the Quad Cities that even life-long residents don’t know.

Other exhibits that make up the museum’s new World Culture Gallery invite visitors to Journey to West Africa and to take in an entire World of Color through photography and multi-media storytelling.

There’s an entire world inside our four walls. Come inside and listen to all the stories!

Our History Exhibits

West African artifacts on display in the Akwaaba: Journey to West Africa exhibit in the World Culture Gallery. A west African woman in traditional dress interacting with a modern tablet. Also included a west African clay bust and black stylized depiction of a female figure with red jewelry accents.

Akwaaba: Journey to West Africa

The diverse cultures of West Africa make an appearance at The Putnam Museum’s newest exhibit in its World Culture Gallery. “Akwaaba” is a welcome addition to the museum’s wide array of science and cultural displays.

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Common Ground: Our Voice, Our Stories exhibit, featuring colorful collage of historic pictures, textures and modern portraits.

Common Ground

Surround yourself with the rich, living history of our diverse community. Just as the stories of its residents change daily, the Common Ground exhibit constantly evolves throughout the year.

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Quad City Innovators exhibit at the Putnam Museum in Davenport IA.

Quad City Innovators

Quad City Innovators, our new exhibit, will share the incredible stories of these innovators, inventors, and trailblazers through hands-on interactives and fun learning experiences.

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Unearthing Ancient Egypt gallery as if you were about to walk in. Pictured at the forefront is a mummy wrapped in traditional linens dating back to 332 BC. In the background is a black coffin with intricate design and art that dates back to between 1479 and 1336 BC.

Unearthing Ancient Egypt

Step back into history and discover the mysteries of ancient Egypt in the Putnam’s Unearthing Ancient Egypt exhibit, which features a broad collection of breathtaking Egyptian treasures and two mummies.

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Special thanks to our History Galleries sponsors:

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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