“Strange Objects from the Putnam" at the German American Heritage Center -- October 12.
Sunday, October 12, 2 p.m.
German American Heritage Center, 712 West Second Street, Davenport IA
Presented by Christine Chandler, curator of natural science at Putnam Museum & Science Center, Strange Objects from the Putnam continues the popular "Kaffee und Kuchen" series at Davenport's German American Heritage Center, the October 12 event guiding participants through a number of wonderful and weird artifacts housed in the PM&SC.
The Putnam has been collecting natural science, history, and anthropology objects for more than 150 years. Artifacts and specimens from all over the world have been donated by local residents and avid collectors. The collection is large and eclectic, to say the least. And, let’s admit it, some artifacts are just plain weird. From shrunken heads to hairballs, none of these objects will ever be designated “national treasures,” but many have earned a place in the hearts and memories of the Quad Cities’ community. In the German American Heritage Center's October 12 program, guests are invited to learn the stories behind these well-loved objects and many of the other wonderfully strange pieces preserved at the Putnam.
It was in 1965 that the B. J. and Mabel H. Palmer Memorial Trust donated more than 2,000 items to the growing artifact collection at the Putnam, which was then called the Davenport Public Museum. As part of their generous gift, a new wing was added to the museum building to house and display the collection. This included a mummy and the sarcophagus of Isis Neferit (an Egyptian temple chantress), which are still on display in the venue's Unearthing Ancient Egypt exhibit. As the collection continued to expand, Mr. Vivian Otto Figge donated large mammals from his hunting expeditions. Today, some can still be viewed in the Hall of Mammals. Other notable donations include birds and eggs from the Iowa Wesleyan College, jewelry through Alice Dodge Schaeffer, political memorabilia from Gene McGreevy, and minerals from the Shorey Mineral Collection.
Strange Objects from the Putnam will be presented at Davenport's German American Heritage Center on October 12, with refreshments for this “Kaffee und Kuchen” event served at 1:30 p.m. and Christine Chandler's program beginning at 2 p.m. Participation is free for Heritage Center members and $8 for non-members, and more information is available by calling (563)322-8844 and visiting GAHC.org.
