DAVENPORT, IOWA (November 27, 2019) —

Sweet and Savory Saturdays, November 30 @ 11AM-1PM, Suzanne's Swiss Bakery

Join us at the GAHC on Sweet and Savory Saturdays in November from 11AM-1PM for a selection of pop-up vendors brightening up our gift shop with their delicious goods!

On Saturday, November 30, our pop-up vendor will be Suzanne's Swiss Bakery!

European Christmas Markets and Traditions, November 30 @ 2PM

Join us on Saturday, November 30, 2PM, for "European Christmas Markets and Traditions," presented by Wolf and Linnea Koch.

Farmers Markets in the cities and small towns of Europe date back many centuries and evolved into today's Christmas Markets during the holiday season. First records of Christmas Markets date to 1296 for the Dezembermarkt of Vienna and 1310 for the Nikolausmarkt in Munich; the markets became regular holiday season events in most cities during the early 1900s. The best known market, Nürnberg's "Christkendleinsmarck," dates back to 1697 and has more than two million visitors annually, while several differently-themed markets in Cologne see in excess of five million visitors. It is estimated that Germany hosted about 2500 Christmas Markets in 2017.

While visiting one of the mega-Christmas Markets is certainly interesting since they offer a wide variety of food, drinks, entertainment, and Christmas programs throughout the Advent season, visitors generally will find a much more relaxed, congenial atmosphere in the many small-town markets throughout the German-speaking regions. Many of these markets will operate for only a few days and "Share" vendors, who will set up their booths for several days in one town and travel on to the next between the first Advent Sunday and the day before Christmas Eve. The markets are full of colors, lights, traditional foods, and music, and best of all, regional crafts: The sights and sounds are sure to put visitors in the Christmas Spirit.

We will visit the large Christmas Markets of Cologne, Nürnberg, Freiburg, and Basel (Switzerland) and travel to the small Black Forest towns of Saint Blasien and Waldshut. The market stalls offer various Christmas food specialties and crafts that are specific to the city or region. Store windows display both traditional and modern holiday decorations and gift ideas. We will also present long-standing Christmas traditions such as visits by St Niklaus on December 6, Advent wreaths, Christmas pyramides, Herrnhuter Sterne (Stars), and Christmas Stollen. The program ends with a visit to the German Christmas Markets in Chicago and suburban Naperville.

Wolf Koch grew up in the Rhine Valley in Oberwinter, a small town dating back to 886, located halfway between Cologne and Koblenz. He has previously prepared presentations commemorating the end of World War II, the 500-year anniversary of the Reformation, and has covered various local historic as well as photography topics. He and his wife, Linnea, travel extensively; their interest in history has taken them to many historical sites in European countries, covering the period between the Stone Age and medieval times. Locally, they have been studying accounts of the Hopewell civilization, have traveled to many mound builder sites in Ohio, Iowa and Illinois, and given many talks on the Hopewell civilization in the Rock River Valley. Dr Koch, a Sterling resident, is a consultant to the oil and petrochemical industry and has been a professor of chemical engineering. Linnea Koch, a graphic designer specializing in exhibit design and interpretive signage, is an accomplished photographer. Together, the Koch's have given many presentations on historic topics and photographing birds and other wildlife; they also teach photography seminars and multi-session photography courses.

This program is included with General Admission:

Adult: $5 | Senior: $4 | Child: $3 | Member: Free

Using DNA as a Tool to Dig Up Your Family: DNA and Ethnicity, December 1 @ 2PM

Join us on Sunday, December 1, 2PM, for "Using DNA As a Tool to Dig Up Your Family," a presentation on DNA and ethnicity by Bill O'Driscoll.

This program is included with General Admission:

Adult: $5 | Senior: $4 | Child: $3 | Member: Free

Christkindlmarkt St Nicholas, Dinner and Sneak Peek Party, December 6 @ 5-9PM

A great NEW, FRESH, FUN, idea for an office party or start a new friend or family tradition! Dinner, great live music, and shopping all the Christkindlmarkt merchants before they open to the public. All the sights, smells, and sounds of the holiday wrapped up in a festive evening.

Christkindlmarkt QC Volunteer Opportunities, December 6-8

As the Holiday season draws near, we would like to extend volunteer opportunities for the up-coming Christkindlmarkt Quad Cities with Davenport Sister Cities at the Freight House Farmers Market. This is a great opportunity to assist with a community event, meet interesting people, and celebrate the Holidays. A link to the sign up page is posted along with duties and time slots below.

Volunteer Signup

2019 Christmas Service, Old Stone Church, December 14 @ 4PM

The public is invited to the 2019 Christmas Services of the Old Stone Church hosted by The Friends of The Old Stone Church on Saturday, December 14, 2018, at 4PM. The Old Stone Church is located at 3507 180th Street, Muscatine, Iowa which is one and one-half miles north of Wild Cat Den State Park. 

Muscatine's Old Stone Church is a fully-restored historic church built by the county's early settlers. In 1867, a group of pioneers of German heritage needed a place of worship for their German Methodist Episcopal congregation. Their faith was such that they hand quarried the stone near Pine Creek one-half mile to the west and built the church themselves.

Weihnachtsmarkt Holiday Craft Fair, December 14-15 @ 10AM-2PM

It's time for the third-annual holiday craft fair at the German American Heritage Center! This year, we have renamed the event the Weihnachtsmarkt Craft Fair! Weihnachtsmarkt means Christmas Market in German. We have also expanded to two days!

Over twenty local vendors will gather at the GAHC just in time for last minute gifts, stocking stuffers, and much much more! A wide variety of crafts, goodies, and everything in between will be available. Admission is FREE for the craft fair and will occur on both Saturday, December 14, and Sunday, December 15, 10AM-2PM.

We hope to see you there to share with us in this holiday season! Frohe Weihnachten!

Come Volunteer with Us

We are looking for volunteers in 4 different areas: Front Desk Volunteers, Special Events Volunteers, Docents, and Building and Grounds Committee!

Front Desk Volunteers: Help greet visitors to the GAHC! Training provided. Work as little or as much as you like — scheduled days available. Shifts are from Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-1PM or 1-4PM, and Sundays, 12-4PM. Want to help only on Special Event days — let us know! Give the gift of time this year at the GAHC! If you'd like to volunteer at the front desk, contact Corey at info@gahc.org.

Special Events: The GAHC holds special events throughout the year which require a larger number of volunteers to be on hand. Examples of these events are: The Best of the Wurst Sausage Competition, Annual Bier Tasting, Christkindlmarkt Holiday Craft Fair, etc. We may need assistance with ticket sales/check in, directing the increased number of visitors, etc. These are often fun but busy events and are not possible without the help of volunteers. If you're interested in volunteering for special events, contact Corey at info@gahc.org.

Docents: The GAHC offers guided tours of our exhibits led by volunteer docents. Docent-volunteers must have an interest in history and be comfortable with public-speaking. Tours are scheduled only when one has been requested. There is no experience or specialized knowledge required — new docents will be trained by museum staff. This is a good position for anyone interested in history and museum education. If you're interested in becoming a docent, contact Corey at info@gahc.org

Building and Grounds Committee: Do you have knowledge of building issues, historic structures, or are just plain handy? The B&G committee is seeking new members to attend 6 meetings per year and help deal with the many issues that arise with a structure like ours! Meetings are on the first Wednesday of every other month at 10AM and typically last one hour. Contact Kelly at kelly.lao@gahc.org

Volunteer Today

Are You a Member Yet?

In 2019, the GAHC is celebrating our 25th Anniversary. Celebrate with us by joining as a member this year! There are many benefits to membership with the GAHC. Members receive:

Quarterly issues of the Infoblatt newsletter

Free Admission to exhibits

Free Admission to many programs and events

Access to special members-only events

Discounts on classes, events, and trips

Discounts on facility rental

Want to be sure you never forget to renew? Sign up for automatic renewals online by clicking on the button below!

Would you like to save paper and receive your quarterly Infoblatt newsletter digitally? Give us a call at (563) 322-8844 or email Corey at info@gahc.org and let us know!

Join or Renew Today

Join or Renew Today

Looking for a Venue for Your Next Special Event?

Have your next gathering here at the GAHC and save big! Your rental dollars help us fund our educational programming. In addition, more people will see our beautiful event space and learn about our facility! We can help save you from the cleaning and hassle of having guests at your home. An event at GAHC allows your guest ample parking, we set up the room for you, and you can bring your own food and beverage!

We have many openings — even at the holidays! Hold your class reunion, baby shower, wedding gift-opening day, potluck, anniversary party, club or organizational meeting, family board-game night, graduation, or anything you can think of in our gorgeous space that looks out onto the Mississippi River and Centennial Bridge! We seat up to 100 comfortably, or 150 cocktail style, and can add on Museum Tours!

Call today to speak with Corey and let us do the work for your next event! Call 563-322-8844 or email info@gahc.org

Banquet Hall

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