Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House Porch Party -- September 20.
Sunday, September 20, noon – 5 p.m.
Butterworth Center, 1105 Eighth Street, and Deere-Wiman House, 817 11th Avenue, Moline IL
Held in celebration of their 70th anniversary as a community center for arts and culture, Moline's Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House will host their annual Porch Party on September 20, The community is invited to join in the festivities and tour all four buildings on the Deere-Wiman and Butterworth properties, including the tunnel that connects the Deere-Wiman House to the Carriage House.
At this year's Porch Party, an interactive digital scavenger hunt sponsored by QCPastPort will take participants across both properties with clues from the historic site’s rich history. There will be a family zone with swag and lawn games, as well as a photo booth with props in the rose garden, and a henna artist providing temporary tattoos inspired by images around the property.
Guests are also invited to bring lawn chairs and enjoy a lineup of exceptional live music provided by jazz artists Tewanta & Good Company (noon to 2:30 p.m.) and eclectic acoustic performer Shaun Easton (2:30 to 5 p.m.) at the Deere-Wiman House, plus, at the Butterworth Center, popular area duo Mo & Alex (noon to 2:30 p.m.), the indie rockers of Subatlantic (2:30 to 5 p.m.) and Jed Poust (3:30 to 4:30 p.m.), who will play indoors on the historic Butterworth organ. A variety of food trucks will be on site, with a beer garden open at the Butterworth Center, and the public is invited to celebrate the organization’s 70th anniversary with a free slice of cake.
The event is sponsored by the William Butterworth Foundation, which was founded by Katherine Deere Butterworth to honor her late husband, William. A number of community groups will be present with demonstrations and giveaways, including the Daughters of the American Revolution and Children of the American Revolution with an exhibit on Revolutionary War activity in the state of Illinois. Other community groups will represent a range of interests, including arts and crafts, astronomy, classic cars, and plants and conservation.
“This year’s Porch Party theme, 'Reunion of Friends,' celebrates our 70th year of opening our doors to the community for open houses, tours, and cultural events,” stated visitor services director Susan Anderson. “With family-friendly activities, live music, a beer garden, and more, Porch Party really does have something for everyone.”
“The Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House honors our heritage by supporting service, culture, and education in the Quad Cities community,” said executive director Heather Calvert. “The Porch Party is the perfect opportunity for the community to celebrate and learn about our local history.”
The William Butterworth Foundation manages and funds both the Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House. Former residences of Deere, Butterworth, and Wiman family members, these historic homes now function as community centers that provide educational and cultural programming, free family events, historic tours, scholarships, and complimentary meeting space for other not-for-profit organizations.
The Butterworth Center and Deere-Woman House's Porch Party and 70th-anniversary celebration will take place on Sunday, September 20, from noon to 5 p.m., admission is free, and more information is available by calling (309)743-2708 and visiting ButterworthCenter.com/services.
