Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House will host its annual free family-fun Porch Party festivities from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at 1105 Eighth St., Moline.
Organizers dubbed the party, “It’s a Family Thing” because it is designed to focus guests’ attention on their own families and those of four generations of John Deere’s direct descendants who lived there while growing the John Deere Plow Co. into Deere & Co, the Fortune 100 global equipment-maker of today.
Sharing the stories of the Moline hilltop homes and the people who lived there, the annual party – again hosted by the William Butterworth Foundation – will feature food trucks, live music, lawn games, a selfie-station, tunnel tours, and family-friendly activities.
Guests also will get a closeup look at the Deere-Wiman House also known as Overlook and designed by William LeBaron Jenney, and the Butterworth Center, the former home of John Deere’s granddaughter Katherine Deere Butterworth.
Visitors will learn more about their family and the John Deere story through paintings and live historical figures. They also can learn how to care for family heirlooms and preserve family photos.
Also on tap at this year’s party is a digital scavenger hunt that allows participants to search for clues about the site’s rich history. The porch party also will make a local connection to the American Revolution in celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday. Those who finish the hunt will receive swag, a news release said.
Other highlights
Among the event highlights are:
- Get answers from local experts on how to care for that uniquely weird family heirloom or that old photo of great so-and-so that you just can’t throw away.
- Go underground and explore the secret tunnel at Butterworth Center used by staff.
- Visit with community organizations for free giveaways, fun activities and really cool antique cars.
- Hang-out in the Family Zone with games, including Deere family corn-hole bingo.
- Eat sugar cookies and decorate your own at the Olde Towne Cookie station – free while they last.
Live local music
Guests also can listen to live performances by local musicians throughout the day. The schedule includes:
Noon-2:30 p.m
- Pickled Beats on the Deere-Wiman west porch.
- Donovan Gustofson Band in the Butterworth Garden gazebo.
2-3 p.m.
- Jed Poust on the Butterworth’s Bennet-Stannke Organ.
2:30-5 p.m.
- Bucktown Band on the Deere-Wiman porch.
- QC Jazz Messengers in the Butterworth Garden gazebo.
Food and beverages
Party attendees also can partake of a variety of local foods trucks and and sample local craft beer from these vendors: Bent River, Mexies, Hibachi Fire, Smoking Goodness and Stan’s Ice Cream.
