QC PastPort would not be possible without the generous support of our partners. They are people, groups, businesses and institutions researching, documenting, archiving, celebrating and preserving our collective history. More than that, they generously share all this history with the public. We encourage you to get to each of know them, visit their buildings and support their work.
The Butterworth Center and Deere Wiman House are located in the Overlook District of Moline, Illinois. Both historic homes once belonged to John Deere’s descendants, but are now operated by the William Butterworth Foundation. They serve as year-round sites for quality educational and cultural events, meeting space for not-for-profit organizations, and tours for local, national, and international visitors. To learn more, click here.
Friends of Hauberg Civic Center and Deb Kuntzi. Deb Kuntzi is the Executive Director of Hauberg Estate. She played a pivotal role in the formation of Friends of Hauberg Civic Center, the not-for-profit organization formed to oversee the preservation and sustainability of the Hauberg mansion and gardens. Under her guidance, the estate has been brought back to life as a locally landmarked historic home, a cultural and event center, and a reciprocal admission garden recognized by the American Horticultural Society. To learn more, follow this link: Hauberg Estate.
The German American Heritage Center and Museum located in Davenport, Iowa is dedicated to sharing fun and educational experiences with you and your entire family. Founded in 1994 as a private not-for-profit organization, they seek to preserve the heritage of our German speaking ancestors for present and future generations and to enrich our knowledge of the German Immigrant experience. To learn more, click here.
The Moline Preservation Society was founded in 1986 by a group working to prevent the demolition of the 1858 Huntoon House. Although the house was ultimately demolished, a strong MPS emerged as a result. MPS advocates for the restoration of historic properties in the city of Moline as both an economic and cultural investment in the future. To learn more, click here.
The first Moline Public Library Board was formed just months after the City of Moline was incorporated in 1872. The library was opened the following year. On August 31, 1901 the city of Moline received the following in a letter: “Responding to yours of July 2, 1901, if the city of Moline will furnish a suitable site and agree to maintain a free public library … Mr. Carnegie will be glad to provide thirty-seven thousand dollars for the erection of a free library building.” Today the library enjoys a newer location serving the changing needs of their patrons. One thing that has not changed is their impressive local history collection. To learn more, follow this link: Moline Public Library.
The Putnam Museum and Science Center is a place where people connect with history and ideas by stations that make STEM concepts fun for all ages. The four exhibit halls (Black Earth/Big River, Hall of Mammals, River, Prairie, People and Egyptian Gallery) plus changing travel exhibits ensure there is always something to discover at the Putnam. To learn more, click here.
The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center at the Main Davenport Library location has extensive local history and family history resources available for public viewing. The materials include books, maps, manuscripts, videos, oral history tapes and a photographic collection of more than 50,000 local images. The library specializes in materials related to Davenport and Scott County history, but they have information about the Illinois area as well. To learn more, follow this link: Richardson-Slone Special Collection Center.
The Rock Island Arsenal Historical Society supports the Rock Island Arsenal Museum and its mission of collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of Rock Island Arsenal and Arsenal Island. The newly renovated museum focuses not only on the military history of the island, but also on the impact the arsenal has had on the Quad Cities communities and citizens. The museum staff with their tours and programs offer great insights to our local history. They will also try to answer your questions through their website. To learn more or to support the museum follow this link: Rock Island Arsenal Historical Society.
On August 9th, 1905, the Rock Island County Historical Society was organized when local citizens saw Arsenal Historic Society and Museum need to “study and learn, to collect and preserve, and to disseminate the history of Rock Island County.” It was not until 1962 that the organization found a permanent home in the Burton Peek House in Moline, Illinois. In 1992 a research library was added that today contains 400 archival collections, 10,000 photographs, 6,000 books, 40,000 vertical files, and access to 9 different local newspapers. To learn more, follow this link: Rock Island County Historical Society.
Rock Island Parks & Recreation Department cares for several historic parks including Denkmann, Douglas, Lincoln, Long View, and Webber. They actively partner with several local non-profit organizations to restore and maintain the historic features and stories of the parks. The Rock Island Parks & Recreation Foundation is the 501(c)(3) not for profit organization that supports the Parks Department and whose mission it is to preserve our parks for future generations. To learn more, follow the link to: Rock Island Parks Foundation.
The Rock Island Preservation Society was founded in 1981 to support historic preservation in the community through education, research, and nominating buildings for local landmark status. To that end, establishing a local Preservation Ordinance was one the earliest projects. Since then, annual preservation awards, neighborhood walking tours, a quarterly newsletter, old house workshops, and historical programming have kept historic preservation alive and well in Rock Island. To learn more, click here
The Rock Island Public Library opened to the public on November 25, 1872, in a rental location in downtown Rock Island as a private library. After the 1872 Library Act in the State of Illinois, it became the first public library to open in the state. The current downtown building held its grand opening on December 15, 1903. The library director, Ellen Gale, retired in 1937 after 65 years of service. The Illinois Room and the Local History Collection are good places to start your local research. To learn more, follow this link: Rock Island Public Library
The Saint Ambrose University Library has Archives and Special Collections located on the third floor. The mission of both is to make accessible historically significant and unique materials which reflect the University’s origins, development and the achievements of faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Their digital collection is available online here.
The Sawmill Museum in Clinton, Iowa was created to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of America’s sawmill, lumber and forestry industries. The museum features dynamic exhibits for both children and adults. It even houses an early 20th century working sawmill. To learn more, follow this link: The Sawmill Museum.
Judy Belan is an East Moline native who attended United Township High School, received her bachelor’s degree from Augustana College and a master’s degree in library science from the University of Illinois. She worked as a cataloging librarian and later as the special collections librarian at Augustana College. Judy is the author of the comprehensive book East Moline: A Centennial History. The book is available at the East Moline Public Library
Dan Haughey is an Actor, Storyteller and Teaching-Artist from the Quad Cities. He has served as Professor of Speech and Theatre Arts, Black Hawk College in Moline, and is a member of Illinois Theatre Association (ITA). Dan regularly brings our history to life through his performances on subjects of history, culture, music, and nature including Mr. U. S. Grant, Gaelic Songs, Civil War Melodies, Ranger Man Dan, and EA Poe: Edgar Allan Poe’s Imagination! To learn more about Don’s next performance, follow this link: Dan Haughey Teaching Artist.
Tom McKay is a historian and museum consultant. He and his late wife Joyce documented and freely shared their extensive research of both Brettun and Black’s Store and the Village of Hampton. For more information follow this link: Hampton Historical Society. https://hamptonhistoricalsocietyil.wordpress.com/
Norm Moline is a retired Augustana College geography professor who in 1970, fascinated with Sylvan Island, involved students in a research project investigating the island’s natural resources and history. That led to his advocacy for transforming the island into a combination nature, history, and fishing park. His interests are varied as evidenced by his many trips to China, his serving on Rock Island’s Planning Commission and his service on the Board of Directors and programs of River Action. To join Norm in helping to preserve our environment follow this link to River Action.
Shellie Moore Guy has many titles: mother, poet, author, performance artist and activist. She has written a popular children’s book titled How Little Billy Learned to Play. It is about a fictionalized Bill Bell as he learns to play music in the Watertown neighborhood of East Moline. She is also the great-great-granddaughter of Doc Charles Wilson, a gentleman we feature in our Arsenal Island narrative. To learn more about Shellie’s book, follow this link: Midwest Writing Center.
Diane Oestreich, a Rock Island resident, has been a longtime advocate for historic preservation. She worked on the passage of Rock Island’s original historic preservation ordinance. As a historian she is adept at finding the information that brings people, events, buildings, and neighborhoods to life. Even better, she is always willing to share her knowledge, as in her series Postcards from Home.
Charles Pearson, President and CEO of Pearson Consulting, a company that specializes in development, planning and implementation of historic resources to revitalize dis-invested communities. He is also the driving force behind the Iowa African American Heritage Trail. Follow the African American Heritage Trail on Facebook.
Rivermont Collegiate’s Headmaster, Max Roach, and his crew truly appreciate the long history of the Joseph and Elizabeth Bettendorf Mansion where Rivermont resides today. Their knowledge of the history of this estate and the stories they have to share truly bring the property to life. To learn more, follow this link: Rivermont Collegiate.
Kay Runge is a retired library director. But retired may not be an accurate choice of words. She continues as a library consultant and a sharer of knowledge about Davenport and its history. kkrunge@libraryconsulting.org
Barb and Richard Sandberg were charter members of the Moline Preservation Society and have been historians and preservation advocates ever since. Barb continues to research historic buildings across Moline and has authored numerous walking tours, booklets, and landmark nominations. She has served on the Moline Preservation Commission and has been a Moline alderperson. Richard (Dick) enjoyed photographing older buildings and searching for historic photos creating an extensive photo collection documenting Moline history. To learn more, follow this link: Moline Preservation.
Kai Swanson has always had an interest in history with a special interest in local Native American history. A Special Assistant to the President of Augustana College, Kai is also a great source of information about the college and its history. He is willing to share his knowledge and to support historic preservation projects throughout the Quad Cities. Kai can be reached at Augustana College.
Maryan Wherry was a professor, research scholar, historian, and program presenter. Her presentations throughout the Quad Cities showcased her vast knowledge of local history… both the scholarly and the unusual. Maryan was most certainly a Keeper of the Past and an accomplished presenter who could not help but bring history to life. Some of her research materials are on file at the Rock Island County Historical Society Library.
Judy Belan is an East Moline native who attended United Township High School, received her bachelor’s degree from Augustana College and a master’s degree in library science from the University of Illinois. She worked as a cataloging librarian and later as the special collections librarian at Augustana College. Judy is the author of the comprehensive book East Moline: A Centennial History. The book is available at the East Moline Public Library
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