Events & Programs

education banner

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

Help support our mission in bringing engaging opportunities for all.

Bring your talents and time to our team through volunteering.

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!

Sep 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
31
1
2
3
4
7:00 PM - Wild Africa 3D
5
12:00 AM - FunBundle Friday
7
8
9
10
12
15
16
17
19
21
22
23
24
26
7:00 PM - The Lost Bus
28
29
30
1
2
3:30 PM - Drop-In Fab Lab
7:00 PM - The Lost Bus
3
12:00 AM - FunBundle Friday
4
Wild Africa 3D
September 4, 2025    
7:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Embark on a Spectacular Journey BBC Earth’s WILD AFRICA 3D takes audiences on a spectacular journey across, over, and through the magical realms of the…
FunBundle Friday
September 5, 2025    
All Day
On FunBundle Friday, you can use discount code SEPFUN to get 25% OFF your FunBundle, or visit us in person to enter to win a…
Putnam Explorers: Engineering
September 6, 2025    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Explore, Build, and Create! Build simple machines and solve creative challenges. Led by museum educators, these sessions foster curiosity and teamwork in a fun, engaging…
LULAC Fiesta Night
September 6, 2025    
5:30 pm - 10:00 pm
A Delight for the Senses! Come join us for an evening of celebration and excitement at the Putnam Museum! LULAC Fiesta Night is a cultural…
Extreme Weather 3D
September 11, 2025    
7:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Our Planet's Most Powerful Forces EXTREME WEATHER is an up-close look at some of the most astonishing and potentially deadly natural phenomena, tornadoes, glaciers, and…
Junior Explorers: Engineering
September 13, 2025    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Explore, Build, and Create! Build simple machines and solve creative challenges. Led by museum educators, these sessions foster curiosity and teamwork in a fun, engaging…
Sensory-Friendly Wild Rescue
September 14, 2025    
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Heal a heart. No matter the size. Wild Rescue follows the dedicated teams who rescue, and rehabilitate injured wild animals. Through dramatic stories explore the…
History on Tap: Women Innovators
September 18, 2025    
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Women Innovators Join Putnam Curator Christina Kastell for History on Tap: Women Innovators of the Quad Cities, where she’ll spotlight the remarkable contributions of local…
Volcanoes: The Fires of Creation
September 18, 2025    
7:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Earth’s Fiery Origins Earth is a planet born of fire. For billions of years, volcanoes have helped forge the world we know. From the continents…
Davenport Civil Rights Bicycle Tour
September 20, 2025    
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
The Davenport Civil Rights Bicycle Tour is led by Ryan Saddler, the Chief Executive Officer of Friends of MLK. Created in partnership with the Davenport…
Kinder Explorers: Engineering
September 20, 2025    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Explore, Build, and Create! Build simple machines and solve creative challenges. Led by museum educators, these sessions foster curiosity and teamwork in a fun, engaging…
The Revolutionary War Screening & Discussion Panel
September 25, 2025    
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
A Story 250 Years in the Making. Join WQPT PBS’s local screenings and discussion panels that will raise our region’s awareness of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION,…
The Lost Bus
September 26, 2025    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Be Among the First to Watch The Lost Bus is a gripping, unforgettable story of courage and survival. The film is inspired by the true…
Chemistry For Kids: September Workshop
September 27, 2025    
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Science in Action Join us for our Chemistry For Kids program, on September 27th at 2pm. Dr. Andy Axup, from St. Ambrose University, will be…
Garbage Glam Fashion Show
September 27, 2025    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Redefining Fashion with Reused Materials Originally inspired by the JUNKraft exhibit, the is an annual celebration of fashion with a spotlight on plastic pollution. Designers…
Drop-In Fab Lab
October 2, 2025    
3:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Whether you’re a curious mind looking to learn something new or an aspiring inventor looking to bring your ideas to life, we have everything you…
The Lost Bus
October 2, 2025    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Be Among the First to Watch The Lost Bus is a gripping, unforgettable story of courage and survival. The film is inspired by the true…
FunBundle Friday
October 3, 2025    
All Day
On FunBundle Friday, you can use discount code OCTFUN to get 25% OFF your FunBundle, or visit us in person to enter to win a…
Putnam Explorers: Mysterious Museum
October 4, 2025    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Discover Hidden Treasures! Uncover secrets hidden within the museum through hands-on activities and interactive exploration. Investigate exhibit halls and discover hidden treasures for a thrilling…
Events on September 4, 2025
Wild Africa 3D
September 4, 2025  
7:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Events on September 5, 2025
FunBundle Friday
September 5, 2025  
All Day
Events on September 6, 2025
Putnam Explorers: Engineering
September 6, 2025  
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
LULAC Fiesta Night
September 6, 2025  
5:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Events on September 11, 2025
Extreme Weather 3D
September 11, 2025  
7:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Events on September 13, 2025
Junior Explorers: Engineering
September 13, 2025  
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Events on September 14, 2025
Sensory-Friendly Wild Rescue
September 14, 2025  
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Events on September 18, 2025
History on Tap: Women Innovators
September 18, 2025  
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Volcanoes: The Fires of Creation
September 18, 2025  
7:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Events on September 20, 2025
Davenport Civil Rights Bicycle Tour
September 20, 2025  
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Kinder Explorers: Engineering
September 20, 2025  
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Events on September 25, 2025
The Revolutionary War Screening & Discussion Panel
September 25, 2025  
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Events on September 26, 2025
The Lost Bus
September 26, 2025  
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Events on September 27, 2025
Chemistry For Kids: September Workshop
September 27, 2025  
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Garbage Glam Fashion Show
September 27, 2025  
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Events on October 2, 2025
Drop-In Fab Lab
October 2, 2025  
3:30 pm - 7:00 pm
The Lost Bus
October 2, 2025  
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Events on October 3, 2025
FunBundle Friday
October 3, 2025  
All Day
Events on October 4, 2025
Putnam Explorers: Mysterious Museum
October 4, 2025  
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

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?

Read More »
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.

Read More »
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!

Read More »
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!

Read More »
Loading... CONNECT

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!

Skip to content