Image Collection and Archives

This image contains blocks of Putnam brand colors as well as photos of textured items from throughout the museum.
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The Putnam Museum Image Collection archives, preserves, and promotes the use of material that documents the local individuals, families, organizations and businesses of the Quad Cities area.

Our Photograph Collection Inventories

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OUR DOCUMENT ARCHIVES INVENTORIES

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UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DIGITAL IMAGE ARCHIVE

View Photos From Our Collection
The Putnam is a partner institution in the Upper Mississippi Valley Digital Image Archive. The UMV photo archive is an online visual collection of historic images showcasing the Mississippi River region along the Iowa/Illinois border. Through this project, the museum is providing access to a limited portion of its photographic collection. In addition to the images provided by the museum, the archive features images from local institutions such as Davenport Public Library, Augustana College, Buffalo Historical Society, Galesburg Public Library, Rock Island County Historical Society, Rock Island Public Library and Musser Public Library in Muscatine.

See Imaging Services and Reproduction Fees for more information on how to acquire images.

CT Scan of Putnam Mirror

Magic Mirror

For over 100 years the Putnam has had a magic mirror sitting in collections and did not know. This is a two sided bronze mirror from Japan that was purchased by Charles A. Ficke in 1904-5 and subsequently donated to the museum. 

When light is shone onto this seemingly…

Lincoln Banner Conservation

Infrared Scan of Lincoln Banner Shows New Information Our Lincoln Banner had some obvious changes, but it wasn’t until we were able to use infrared…

Learn about our Contemporary History project at the Putnam.

Contemporary History Collection

History Is Happening Now The Year 2020 will be talked about for generations to come. In addition to the Pandemic, the year brought Presidential impeachment,…

Plant samples from the Herbarium collection at the Putnam

Herbarium

The Putnam Museum’s herbarium is available as part of the Plants of Iowa project. THE PLANTS OF IOWA PROJECT The Plants of Iowa project provides…

Historic image of the Academy of Science, the original name of the Putnam Museum.

History of the Collection

THE ACADEMY The Putnam Museum and Science Center was established on December 14, 1867, as the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences. Between 1865 and 1866,…

Historic image of the Academy of Science, the original name of the Putnam Museum.

History of the Museum

THE DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES The history of the museum begins in 1865. At the time, conversations around forming a natural science society began…

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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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