Thanks to the generous support of the Quad Cities Cultural Trust (QCCT), visitors to the Putnam Museum and Science Center can enjoy and explore the Davenport museum at no cost through Jan. 5, 2025.
The QCCT is sponsoring the admission to allow guests to give back to the Putnam as it launches its Putnam: Reimagined Capital Campaign.
Founded in 2007 to support the region’s core arts and cultural institutions, QCCT is committed to the health and growth of the Quad Cities region, and a thriving arts and cultural scene is key to both.
The trust has consistently invested in its Legacy Partners’ financial stability since its inception. In addition to the Putnam, the Legacy Partners are: Common Chord (formerly River Music Experience), Figge Art Museum, Quad City Symphony Orchestra, all in Davenport; and the Quad City Botanical Center and Quad City Arts, both in Rock Island.
“We are excited to have the public see what we are up to here on the west end,” Putnam President and CEO Cindy Diehl Yang said in a news release Monday, Nov. 18. “We are beyond grateful for the sponsorship from QCCT that will allow guests to see the amazing work that has already been completed and share their voice in the Putnam’s future.”
Last spring, QCCT Executive Director Jen Lewis-Snyder said the QCCT’s mission was clear “By year-end 2028, QCCT will be known as the leader that enriches arts and culture for all in the Quad Cities region. We are committed to sustaining and enhancing our quality of life and sense of place by increasing support of our Legacy Partners as well as welcoming new organizations and initiatives into our fold.”
The Putnam: Reimagined Capital Campaign is a multi-year construction and revitalization project that will touch nearly every area of the museum, the release said. The project includes a refresh of the building’s front exterior, a re-imagined Grand Lobby, and a revitalized home for the Science Center and Education department. A new museum-wide experience will ask guests to “Imagine Yourself” as an archaeologist, environmental scientist, and several other jobs as they explore each of the Putnam’s unique galleries.
According to the release, the crown jewel of the campaign is The Vault. Utilizing a cutting-edge approach to collections management, guests will be able see much more of the museum’s substantial collection of more than 250,000 items. Large, striking glass walls with extensive shelving, as well as peninsulas into the gallery and glass-enclosed storage islands will allow for a behind-the-scenes look at items previously unseen by the public.
The Vault will feature interactive experiences that will allow visitors to search the database for objects in the collection and learn more about the items that come from every continent in the world.
There also will be an interactive that will give guests the chance to become a curator and design their own exhibit. The ongoing campaign also will provide other new guest experiences such as outdoor learning areas at the entrance plaza and south lawn, and a Family Engagement Center for guests of all ages.
“The Putnam truly is the community’s museum, and we want every Quad Citizen to be part of developing its future for generations to come,” Ms. Diehl Yang said.
The museum has successfully completed three major campaign initiatives: The World Culture Gallery; a reimagined, more inclusive local history exhibit Common Ground: Our Voice, Our Stories; and the recently opened Quad City Innovator’s gallery.
During the sponsored admission period, guests will be invited to share their opinions on the Quad Cities and weigh in on the Putnam projects underway by utilizing the newly updated community survey interactive within the Common Ground exhibit.
The Putnam Museum and Science Center is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, with extended evening hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
The current featured exhibit is Hubble Space Telescope: New Views of the Universe direct from NASA. The museum also features daily documentaries in the GIANT Screen Theater, as well as special feature films on Thursday evenings and throughout the holiday season.
For more about upcoming events, visit the Putnam website or by following it on all social media platforms.
