“Anne Frank: A History for Today" at the Putnam Museum & Science Center -- through October 31.
Through Monday, October 31
Putnam Museum & Science Center, 1717 West 12th Street, Davenport IA
With the exhibit on display through October 31 in conjunction with the community-wide Holocaust-remembrance project "Out of Darkness: Holocaust Messages for Today” (OutOfDarknessQC.com), the story of one of the most inspirational figures in world history comes to life in Anne Frank: A History for Today, an expansive and moving touring exhibition hosted by Davenport's Putnam Museum & Science Center.
Its remarkable tale told against the background of the Holocaust and the Second World War, Anne Frank: A History for Today brings to life the experiences of the young Jewish girl who, in the pages of her world-renowned diary, documented two years of hiding in German-occupied Amsterdam during World War II. By sharing Anne’s legacy with visitors, students, and teachers, this traveling exhibit seeks to inspire our commitment to never be bystanders, but instead, to stand up together against antisemitism, bigotry, and inequality wherever they may exist today.
“Anne Frank’s story is so important for today,” said Christina Kastell, the Putnam's Curator of History and Anthropology. “Her story inspires girls and boys alike, telling them that they, too, can inspire others.”
The Putnam's newest exhibit is on loan from the Anne Frank Center and has been embellished with artifacts from the Illinois Holocaust Museum, the Danville Station & Museum, and individual Quad City residents who were impacted by the Holocaust. These artifacts include a concentration camp uniform, a flashlight used by guards in Theresienstadt, a Star of David patch, and the story of the Geiringer family who were on a similar path to the Franks while in hiding, depicting their experience through paintings that were later recovered.
Serving as the site for the Out of Darkness launch, the exhibit is only one of dozens of programs for children and adults across the community, all designed to counter damaging contemporary issues such as intolerance, misinformation, and hate speech. “The Putnam is proud to be a partner in the Out of Darkness project during this important time in our region’s history,” says Rachael Mullins, CEO and President of the Davenport venue. “We hope the community will find value in the exhibit as well as support the programming of all the collaborative partners over the coming months.”
This exhibit was made possible with support from the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, Scott County Regional Authority, Regional Development Authority, Rauch Family Foundation II, Inc., KWQC, and the Joyce and Tony Singh Family Foundation. Anne Frank: A History for Today is sponsored in North America by the University of South Carolina and the Anne Frank Center, and was developed by the Anne Frank House.
Anne Frank: A History for Today will be on display at the Putnam Museum & Science Center through October 31, the venue is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., and the exhibit is viewable for free with $8-9 general admission. Through the Putnam’s Museums for All program, admission is $1 per person for households with the presentation of an EBT card. Admission is free for members. For more information, call (563)324-1933 and visit Putnam.org.
