The German American Heritage Center announces the opening for its new exhibit, Land & Water. We will host Daryl Smith, Director of the Tallgrass Prairie Center at UNI for a presentation on "Our Prairie Heritage." Hear Smith speak about what made the prairie landscape so special for our ancestors and for Jens Jensen on Sunday, June 2nd at 2pm.

Land and Water is an exhibition about two figureheads in the conservation and preservation movement. These two individuals took their fields to new heights with their love of the natural world and cherished the beauty of their surroundings.  Jens Jensen and Ernest Oberholtzer, secured the beauty, power, and grandeur of the Midwest prairie and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area to their own generation and to those that followed. These two men and the landscapes they loved still inspire us today!

About our speaker: Daryl Smith

Smith has served as head of UNI Department of Biology, president of the Iowa Academy of Science, board member of the Iowa Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and National Association of Biology Teachers, director of the Twelfth and Twenty Second North American Prairie Conferences, and director of Iowa Prairie Conferences 1991-01. A native Iowan, Smith has been involved in prairie preservation, management, and restoration for 40 years.  His former students are active in prairie restoration and management, natural area assessment, resource management, secondary and collegiate teaching and natural history interpretation.  He founded the Tallgrass Prairie Center and serves as the Director.  The Center most recent project involves the utilization of mixtures of prairie plants as biomass feedstock.  Smith was also executive director and co-producer of the documentary film, America's Lost Landscape: The Tallgrass Prairie, winner of the Pare Lorentz Award from International Documentary Association and the Cine Golden Eagle Award.

More about Jensen & Ober:

Jens Jensen (1860-1951) organized and inspired the early conservation movements that led to the creation of the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Illinois state park system, the Indiana Dunes State Park and National Lakeshore, among many more projects. Everywhere he championed his core conviction: people must have some contact with the "living green," - flowers and plants native to their home. To Jensen, landscape architecture was not just a profession, nor was the use of native plants just one style among many - they expressed his near-mystical belief in the renewing and civilizing powers of nature. He was a reformer with his practice and passion taking him from Schleswig to Berlin and Florida to Decorah.

He believed that beauty does not have to come from a tulip in Holland or a maple in Japan; it can come from the wild reaches of our backyards or state parks.

"Every Plant has fitness and must be placed in its proper surroundings so as to bring out its full beauty. Therein lies the art of landscaping".

-Jens Jensen

Ernest Oberholtzer (1884-1977) is one of the great unsung heroes of the American conservation movement of the twentieth century. A Davenport, Iowa native and one of the founders of the Wilderness Society, "Ober" was best known for his pioneering work to preserve one of the last remaining wilderness areas east of the Rockies - the Quetico-Superior region of northern Minnesota and southern Ontario. The long campaign by Ober and many others to preserve this area made a significant and lasting impression on conservation and wilderness preservation efforts around the world. This exhibit looks to explore the life of the man who led the fight to save the area that eventually became Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (today the most visited wilderness area in the United States).

"We gain inspiration and take heart from Oberholtzer, a leader of the nation's wilderness movement for much of the twentieth century, and his philosophy of action, an acknowledgment that 'we never know our powers until we put them to the test.' His story continues to inspire wilderness activists."

-William H. Meadows, President of The Wilderness Society
Other Land and Water Events!

Sunday, June 9th 2pm- The Legacy of Jens Jensen presented by  Jens Jensen, of Fitchburg, WI. Life and work of the great prairie landscape architect by his great-great grandson.

Saturday, July 20th 2pm- Double Film Feature! At the Figge Art Museum $5 admission includes both films! Showing- Lost Landscape: The Tallgrass Prairie award winning prairie documentary from UNI & Jens Jensen: Harmonious World. A world premier of this new documentary on world renowned landscape architect and naturalist and meet the filmmakers of Viva Lundin Productions!

Sunday, July 21st 2pm- Jens Jensen: The QC Connection  with Linda Anderson Learn where Rock Island boasts some of this famed landscape architect's work at the Denkmann Hauberg Estate!

Sunday, August 11 2pm- University of the Wilderness- The Legacy of Ernest Oberholtzer with Mary Swalla Holmes of the Oberholtzer Foundation in Minnesota. She will highlight Ober's work to save the Boundary Waters.

Thursday, Sept. 19 7pm- Flutes Unlimited of the QC presents a salute to water and waves in this evening concert.

Contact: Kelly Lao, Assistant Director, kelly.lao@gahc.org or 563-322-8844?

Quad Cities citizens and especially those with German ancestry are invited to participate in two Memorial Day events this weekend.  There will be a Founders' Day Celebration at the Dixon, Iowa Cemetery beginning at 10:00 a.m.  The occasion seeks to honor and remember the contributions of German immigrants to the region.  The venue changes annually so that many final resting places receive recognition.  The celebration will include musical selections, a history of the cemetery, and a brief address. Dixon mayor Steve Laughlin will
serve as master of ceremonies.  Refreshments will be available at the conclusion of the event.  In case of rain the ceremony will take place in the Hope Lutheran Church, directly next to the cemetery.  

There will also be a recognition wreath in place along northbound Gaines Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets in remembrance of the 1848-50 "Kampfgenossen" or German war veterans from Schleswig-Holstein who first fought against Danish control of that region. 

Although unsuccessful, many leaders of that group immigrated to Scott and Rock Island counties where they became leading citizens of their day and contributed immeasurably to the development of their new communities.  A large commemorative stone was re-erected in 2008 to mark their achievements.  

These events are sponsored jointly by the American Schleswig-Holstein Heritage Society, the German American Family Club of Iowa and Illinois, the German American Heritage Center, the German American National Congress (DANK), and the Schuetzenpark Gilde.

Also on Saturday!

All day-drop by!

There will also be a recognition wreath in place along northbound Gaines Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets in remembrance of the 1848-50 "Kampfgenossen" or German war veterans from Schleswig-Holstein who first fought against Danish control of that region.  Although unsuccessful, many leaders of that group immigrated to Scott and Rock Island counties where they became leading citizens of their day and contributed immeasurably to the development of their new communities.  A large commemorative stone was re-erected in 2008 to mark their achievements.

The wreath is sponsored by the German Roundtable

Davenport, IA- Cross Atlantic Marriages! On Sunday, May 5th at 2pm the German American Heritage Center presents "Altar-Cations" a mixed marriage panel discussion. One spouse is German, the other American and they will share with us the trial, tribulations, and triumphs of their marriages! This event is part of our  programming for Vintage Vows & Veils, an exhibit featuring over thirty wedding gowns from 1875 to present!

Admission is $5 Adults, $4 Seniors, $3 Kids, and free for members. GAHC is located off of the Centennial Bridge at 712 W 2nd St. Davenport. For more information call 563-322-8844 or visit gahc.org.
Last chance! Sign up Today to see the Final Performance of the
Chicago Zither Club!


Sunday, April 28th
$70 members
$80 non-members
Don't miss this once in a lifetime performance with Germany's own Tomy Temerson as well as musicians from around the U.S. Special guests include our own Davenport Zither Ensemble!

The performance will take place at the Cultural Center of the Society of Danube Swabians at 625 Seegers Road in Des Plaines, IL (www.donauchicago.com) and will begin at 3:00 pm. There will be a complimentary sweets table, and a cash bar.

Support this beautiful, traditional music and travel with us to witness this unique event!
Register by Calling 563-322-8844
or Clicking Here:
Davenport, IA- Bicycle enthusiasts will be elated to hear of the trials, tribulations, and tremendous trails that St. Ambrose University professor Scot Heisdorffer details in his program My Saddle Soars: A Germanic Bicycle Tour! Hear Heisdorffer speak about his 3-week unsupported trek across southern Germany, Austria, & Switzerland at the German American Heritage Center on Sunday, April 14th at 2pm.

The German American Heritage Center is located at 712 W 2nd St. Davenport, Iowa. Admission is $5 Adults, $4 Seniors, $3 Children, and free for members. For more information, contact Kelly at 563-322-8844 or kelly.lao@gahc.org.

Due to high demand, we have added a second German for Travelers language class! Our teacher, Eileen Williams-Jackson will be holding a second session every Thursday in April, 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th, from 6:45-7:45. $40 for members or $50 for non-members. Sign up by clicking below or calling 563-322-8844!
Get more information
Register Now!
I can't make it
Thank you and we hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Kelly
German American Heritage Center
Davenport, IA- Some of the most influential people in early Davenport were the German 1848'ers; they came and prospered in this once small river town. Join Dr. Joachim (Yogi) Reppmann for a historical perspective on these important immigrants on Sunday, March 24th at the German American Heritage Center. A social begins the program at 1:30pm with Dr. Reppmann speaking at 2pm. Join us for a Wreath Ceremony to follow the event on Gaines Street.

Admission is $5 Adults, $4 Seniors, $3 Kids, and free for members. The German American Heritage Center is located at 712 W 2nd St. Davenport, IA. For more information on this event and other programming call 563-322-8844 or visit gahc.org.

Davenport, IA- Join the German American Heritage Center as we travel to see the Chicago Zither Club's Last Performance! On Sunday, April 28th GAHC will be traveling by bus to see the final performance of this quintessential Zither ensemble. Members of our own Davenport Zither Ensemble will be performing with this group as they celebrate with a farewell concert after 100 years. The concert will be held at the Donauschwaben Halle in Des Plaines, IL.

Tickets are $70 for members and $80 for non-members, including travel and concert tickets. Pre-registration is required. The bus departs at 10:30am, concert at 3pm with a dessert buffet to follow.

There will be a dinner stop on the return trip, cost is extra per person. Call 563-322-8844 or email
kelly.lao@gahc.org to sign up today!

FREE ADMISSION!
Open House!
Saturday, March 2nd 12pm-4pm
join us for family fun at our open house
This Saturday from 12-4  come down to GAHC with free admission! See our excellent exhibits, sign up for a membership, and shop our German made gifts!
We have the privilege of being entertained by the dance duo The Dick & Jane Variety Show featuring dancing, clogging, instrumental, and vocal music!
Guaranteed Performances at 1:00 and 2:00!
Don't forget to pledge to our Challenge Drive!
We only have one more month to reach our goal! Call 563-322-8844 or email kelly.lao@gahc.org for more information.
Thank you and we hope to
see you on Saturday!
German American Heritage Center

When
Saturday, March 2nd
12-4
Where
712 W 2nd St.
Davenport, IA 52802
What
An awesome event that you won't want to miss out on! www.gahc.org

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