MOLINE, ILLINOIS (November 17, 2023) On Sunday, December 3, 12-5PM, the community is invited to A 19th Century Christmas, the annual tradition celebrated at all four William Butterworth Foundation historic buildings. Visitors will experience the wonder of a traditional Victorian Christmas in these unique Deere family homes:

Butterworth Center — 1105 8 Street, Moline

MOLINE, ILLINOIS (September 8, 2023) — The welcome mat is out for the annual Porch Party at Butterworth Center (1105 8 Street, Moline) and Deere-Wiman House (817 11 Avenue, Moline) on Sunday, September 17, 12-5PM. This free community event offers a jam-packed line-up of fun activities both indoors and outdoors — to celebrate the diversity of arts and culture in the Quad Cities. The Porch Party will take place rain or shine, moving indoors in case of inclement weather.

MOLINE, ILLINOIS (July 5, 2023) — Music on the Lawn, a free Quad Cities family summer tradition, returns to Deere-Wiman House in Moline on July 19 with one-man band Rick Kelley.

MOLINE, ILLINOIS (June 8, 2023) — Don’t let the summer heat keep you from enjoying “Music for New People” at the next Music on the Lawn concert on July 13, at Deere-Wiman House in Moline. This inventive ensemble of musicians must be experienced in person to fully appreciate the range of their talents.

MOLINE, ILLINOIS (May 1, 2023) — Martha Redbone is a Native and African-American vocalist-songwriter-composer and educator, who will perform on May 9, 7PM, in the spacious Butterworth Center Library as part of the Music at Butterworth Center series. Complimentary refreshments will be served in the historic dining room after the performance.

A unique performance in Moline presents music as a way to bridge cultural differences. In an Oct. 9 performance at the Deere-Wiman House, Irish singer and peace activist Tommy Sands will share his dreams of an Ireland without conflict.

One of Ireland's most powerful songwriters and an enchanting performer, Sands uses vocals and guitar to highlight our common heritage, transcending cultural differences to bring about world peace. His repertoire ranges from traditional Irish music to contemporary folk, telling the story of a country with a troubled past but indomitable spirit.

As an acclaimed musician and social activist, Sands has performed in venues all over the world, including a recent appearance at Pete Seeger's 90th birthday concert at Madison Square Garden in New York. His original compositions include There Were Roses and Daughters and Sons, recorded by Joan Baez, Kathy Mattea, Sean Keane and The Dubliners.

This event is part of the Fridays at Deere-Wiman House series funded by the William Butterworth Memorial Trust, and part of the Quad City Arts Visiting Artist Series. Tommy Sands, 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 9, Deere-Wiman House, 817 11th Avenue, Moline, Ill. Admission: free; refreshments following. For more information, call (309) 743-2701; www.butterworthcenter.com

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Children love music, and it's proven to boost the learning process. A June 16 workshop by Kathleen Gibson offers ways to introduce it into their lives. "Music for the Growing Child" will be offered in one session only, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16 at the Deere-Wiman Carriage House in Moline.

Designed for educators, childcare providers and home school families, the workshop will include song sheets, ideas and techniques to create music for any occasion. Registration fee of $10 includes the two-hour workshop and pizza.

Teaching artist and Parents' Choice award winning singer/songwriter Kathleen Gibson offers ways to incorporate music into all aspects of learning, "even if you don't sing. Music helps us learn, gives us healthy ways to deal with our feelings and creates a harmonious sense of community when we share it," she says. "As children grow and develop, we can help them in so many ways by singing, listening to and moving music, and creating with music."

The workshop is presented by the William Butterworth Memorial Trust and Community Child Care Resource and Referral. For information and reservations, contact Pam Lynch at Community Child Care, 500 E. 59th Street, Davenport, IA 52807; phone (563) 324-3239, extension 1424; or Gretchen Frick Small, Butterworth Center, 1105 8th Street, Moline, IL 61265; phone (309) 743-2701.

Looking for family-friendly outings for your "stay-cation"? A summer concert at the Deere-Wiman House in Moline is sure to please kids of all ages, and with no charge for admission, it's budget-friendly too!

The performance is part of "Music on the Lawn," a series supported by the Deere-Wiman House and Butterworth Center, Community Child Care Resource and Referral Center, Quad City Association for the Education of Young Children and WQPT-TV.

Making his Quad Cities debut, SteveSongs will perform at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15. The concert is held on the lawn of the Deere-Wiman House with seating on the grass. In case of rain or excessive heat, the concert will be moved inside the Deere-Wiman Carriage House.

SteveSongs (also known as Mr. Steve to his fans on PBS Kids) delivers an entertaining, educational performance featuring participatory songs, stories and melodies. Visit SteveSongs online at www.stevesongs.com.

Music on the Lawn (SteveSongs), July 15 on the lawn at the Deere-Wiman House, 817 11th Avenue, Moline, Ill. Event funded by the William Butterworth Memorial Trust. For more information or to reserve free seats, call (309) 743-2701; www.butterworthcenter.com.

A full schedule of activities has been announced for Blossoms at Butterworth, one of the Quad Cities' classic summer celebrations. Set for Sunday, June 28 at the Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House in Moline, the afternoon event offers traditional summer fun for all age groups in a nostalgic garden setting. And the price is right: With the exception of food concessions, all activities and entertainment are free.

This year, Blossoms also doubles as grand opening of the new Education Center at the Butterworth House. The former Butterworth Center Garage has been extensively renovated and now includes a welcome center with display area, small auditorium, kitchen facilities and large meeting room.

"We're really excited about the opportunities this offers to local people," says Gretchen Frick-Small. "This facility will be available for educational programs put on by non-profits, and we think they'll really appreciate the building's versatility. It's such a unique blend of historic significance and very functional meeting space."

During the Blossoms event, the new 1,200-square-foot facility will host the Brinton Art Show, featuring work of Moline junior high and high school students; "Houseboats on the Mississippi," a historic exhibit showcasing photos of and memorabilia from early houseboats owned by the Deere and Butterworth families; and premiere of a new video tracing the life of John Deere and history and mission of the two historic homes. Tours of the facility will also be available.

At the Butterworth Center, performances are planned by the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Youth Band (1 and 3 p.m.), Quad City Jugglers (2 and 4 p.m.) and organist Steve Steeley. WQPT Quad Cities will host a crafts tent for children and families, and free family photos will be taken at the gazebo, complete with characters in period clothing.

At the Deere-Wiman House, old-fashioned lawn games and a Victorian tea party are planned, as well as performances by pianist Selma Johnson. Niabi Zoo staffers will give presentations at 2 and 3 p.m., and members of the Antique Ford Club and Mississippi Valley Antique Automobile Club will host a display of antique cars.

Rounding out the schedule: Self-guided tours of both historic homes, guided bus tours of the Overlook Historic Neighborhood and food vendors (Lagomarcino's Ice Cream and Frank's Prime Cuts steak sandwiches).

Blossoms at Butterworth, Sunday, June 28, noon to 5 p.m. (rain or shine), Butterworth Center (1105 8th St., Moline) and Deere-Wiman House (817 8th St., Moline); no charge for admission. Event funded by the William Butterworth Memorial Trust. For more information, call (309) 743-2701; www.butterworthcenter.com.

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