The Capital Campaign

The Putnam: Reimagined Capital Campaign is a multi-year construction and revitalization project that will touch nearly every area of the museum. The project includes a refresh of the front exterior of the building, a re-imagined Grand Lobby, and a revitalized home for the Science Center & Education department. A new museum-wide experience will ask guests to “Imagine Yourself” as an Archaeologist, Environmental Scientist, and several other jobs as they explore each of the Putnam’s unique galleries.

The Vault

The crown jewel of the Putnam: Reimagined Capital Campaign is The Vault. Utilizing a cutting-edge approach to collections management, guests will be able see much more of the museum’s substantial collection of over 250,000 items. Large, striking glass walls with extensive shelving, as well as peninsulas into the gallery and glass-enclosed storage islands allow for a behind-the-scenes look at items that have been previously unseen by the public.

New Interactives

The Vault will feature interactive experiences that will allow visitors to search the database for objects in the collection and learn more about the items that come from every continent in the world. There will also be an interactive that will give guests the chance to become a curator and design their own exhibit. Other new guest experiences made possible through this campaign include outdoor learning areas at the entrance plaza & south lawn and a Family Engagement Center for guests of all ages.

Some Projects are Finished

The museum has already successfully completed three major initiatives of the campaign: The World Culture Gallery, a reimaged more inclusive local history exhibit Common Ground: Our Voice, Our Stories, and the recently opened Quad City Innovator’s gallery. During the sponsored admission guests will be invited to share their opinions on the Quad Cities and weigh in on the projects underway at the Putnam, utilizing the newly updated community survey interactive within the Common Ground regional history exhibit.

A Message from the President

Cindy Diehl Yang, the President and CEO said about the project, “We are excited to have the public see what we are up to here on the west end. We are beyond grateful for the sponsorship from QCCT that will allow guests to see the amazing work that has already been completed and share their voice in the Putnam’s future. The Putnam truly is the community’s museum, and we want every Quad Citizen to be part of developing its future for generations to come.”

Contributions

While monetary gifts are the most direct way to support the campaign, guests can also support by purchasing Putnam merchandise. RAYGUN has released “WHO’S YOUR MUMMY?” shirts will be available at the RAYGUN website and the Putnam Museum Store. A portion of the profits will go directly to the museum’s Capital Campaign.

The current featured exhibit is Hubble Space Telescope: New Views of the Universe direct from NASA. The museum also features daily documentaries in the GIANT Screen Theater, as well as special feature films on Thursday evenings and throughout the holiday season. More about upcoming events can be found here or by following our social media.

Thanks to generous support from the Quad Cities Cultural Trust (QCCT), Putnam Museum & Science Center visitors will enjoy sponsored admission as they explore the museum at no-cost to them through January 5, 2025. The Quad Cities Cultural Trust is committed to the health and growth of the Quad City region, and a thriving arts and cultural scene is key to both. Their support of sponsored admission allows guests to give back to the Putnam, as the museum launches its Putnam: Reimagined Capital Campaign.