Events & Programs

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Discover the Elements of Lifelong Learning

Our educational programs and special events are here to help you stay engaged and exploring our vast world, all from the comfort of the Quad Cities! 

We offer a variety of programs: from Putnam Camps, to drop-in workshops, even history lectures with a cash bar. Join us at special events, like feature films on Thursday nights or during an afternoon tea! Find your perfect fit within the museum and discover the elements of lifelong learning.

Programs & Events Calendar

Select a date and see what's happening on that day!

Oct 2023
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7:00 PM - Friday The 13th
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6:00 PM - Hocus Pocus
8:00 PM - Ghostbusters
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6:00 PM - Hocus Pocus 2
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12:00 AM - FunBundle Friday
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Shift: The RAGBRAI Documentary
October 1, 2023    
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Can You Find Yourself in the Middle of Nowhere? “SHIFT” tells the story of RAGBRAI — the world’s oldest, largest and longest recreational bicycle ride…
Putnam Explorers: Spooky Science
October 7, 2023    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Join us for some spook-tacular Halloween experiments, decorate and launch flying ghosts into the museum’s grand lobby, turn pumpkin guts into some slimy fun, and…
Volunteer Open House
October 12, 2023    
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
You Can Make a Difference! Are you looking for a way to give back to your community and have some fun at the same time?…
Friday The 13th
October 13, 2023    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
They Were Warned... They Are Doomed... Crystal Lake's history of murder doesn't deter counselors from setting up a summer camp in the woodsy area. Superstitious locals…
Junior Explorers: Mysterious  Haunted  Museum
October 14, 2023    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Get your flashlights and curiosity ready to explore through the exhibit halls of the Putnam. Spooky fun awaits with hands-on activities, hidden treasures, an encounter…
Chemistry For Kids: October Workshop
October 14, 2023    
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Stop In and Experiment With an Expert Join us for our Chemistry For Kids program, on October 14 at 2pm. Dr. Andy Axup, from St.…
History On Tap: Footsteps in the Attic
October 19, 2023    
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Lardner Balcony
I Am the Future: Movie Showing
October 22, 2023    
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Standing on the Shoulders of the Past We are proud to be hosting a screening of "I Am the Future: Standing on the Shoulders of…
Putnam Guild Tea - October
October 26, 2023    
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
History of Advertising Tins For the October Putnam Guild Tea we are excited to present A Hands On! History of Advertising Tins with Connie Patridge,…
Hocus Pocus
October 27, 2023    
6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
It's Just A Bunch of Hocus Pocus! After moving to Salem, Mass., teenager Max Dennison (Omri Katz) explores an abandoned house with his sister Dani…
Ghostbusters
October 27, 2023    
8:00 pm - 9:45 pm
Who Ya Gonna Call? After the members of a team of scientists (Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray) lose their cushy positions at a university…
Hocus Pocus 2
October 28, 2023    
6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
We're Back, Witches! Three young women accidentally bring back the Sanderson Sisters to modern day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry…
FunBundle Friday
November 3, 2023    
All Day
Get 25% off your FunBundle TODAY ONLY with code NOVEMBERFUN as well as enter to win a free FunBundle when visiting a participating location.
Putnam Explorers: World Cultures
November 4, 2023    
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Embark on a cultural journey as we celebrate diversity! Explore cultures from all around the world by learning about different beliefs, customs, festivals, games, and…
Events on October 1, 2023
Shift: The RAGBRAI Documentary
October 1, 2023  
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Events on October 7, 2023
Putnam Explorers: Spooky Science
October 7, 2023  
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Events on October 12, 2023
Volunteer Open House
October 12, 2023  
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Events on October 13, 2023
Friday The 13th
October 13, 2023  
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Events on October 14, 2023
Junior Explorers: Mysterious  Haunted  Museum
October 14, 2023  
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Chemistry For Kids: October Workshop
October 14, 2023  
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Events on October 19, 2023
History On Tap: Footsteps in the Attic
October 19, 2023  
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Events on October 22, 2023
I Am the Future: Movie Showing
October 22, 2023  
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Events on October 26, 2023
Putnam Guild Tea - October
October 26, 2023  
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Events on October 27, 2023
Hocus Pocus
October 27, 2023  
6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Ghostbusters
October 27, 2023  
8:00 pm - 9:45 pm
Events on October 28, 2023
Hocus Pocus 2
October 28, 2023  
6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Events on November 3, 2023
FunBundle Friday
November 3, 2023  
All Day
Events on November 4, 2023
Putnam Explorers: World Cultures
November 4, 2023  
9:00 am - 11:00 am

Programs in the Museum

History on Tap Lecture Series, featuring two adult women interacting and laughing at an event in the Grand Lobby at the Putnam museum.

History On Tap

Are you tired of the same old lectures in stuffy lecture halls? Do you crave a more engaging and refreshing approach to learning?

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summer winter and spring camps for kids

Putnam Camps

We offer a diverse selection of fun and engaging full day, and half day summer camps for kids from kindergarten through sixth grade.

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Spring Camps at the Putnam Museum in Davenport, IA.

Spring Camps

Give your child the chance to learn, explore, and create this Spring Break!
With camps for Grades 1–3, Grades 4–6, and Pre-K & K, our Spring Camps spark curiosity and inspire discovery. Spring camps are on sale now!

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summer Day Camps at the Putnam Museum in Davenport, IA.

Summer Camps

Make it a summer of discovery at the Putnam! This year’s camp lineup includes full‑day experiences for Grades 4–6, half‑day camps for Grades 1–3, and fun, two‑hour camps for Pre-K & K. Give your child a season of learning, summer camps are on sale now!

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The Putnam Museum will

CLOSE EARLY ON APRIL 18.

We will close early Saturday, April 18 at 3 pm for a private event. Join us Sunday for regular hours.

Please Note: The Museum & Science Center will be closed today due to inclement weather

We plan resume normal hours on Tuesday (3/17). Thank you for your patience, understanding and continued support!

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