The museum originated in 1867 as the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences.
The collection includes a notably well-preserved Egyptian mummy named Isis.
The institution holds one of the largest regional collections of river-related artifacts in the United States.
The museum archives contain thousands of historical photographs documenting the industrial growth of the Quad Cities.
The facility was one of the first in the region to incorporate a digital theater for large-format science education.
The Putnam Museum and Science Center serves as a regional repository for the history and natural science of the Quad Cities area. It houses an extensive collection of over 160,000 artifacts and specimens ranging from local river history to ancient Egyptian relics. The museum features a permanent exhibit dedicated to the Mississippi River, exploring its geological formation and cultural impact. A digital dome theater provides immersive science programming and documentary screenings. The facility maintains a significant focus on regional anthropology and natural history through revolving exhibits. It functions as an educational hub for schools and families in Davenport and the surrounding Midwestern region.
The museum's elevated grounds provide panoramic views of the Mississippi River and the surrounding Davenport landscape.
Check the online schedule before arriving to coordinate museum visits with specific digital theater showtimes.
Plan your visit to allow time for the outdoor viewing areas that overlook the local topography.
Look for rotating temporary exhibits that often feature traveling artifacts from national partner museums.
Don't rush through the permanent regional history galleries, as they contain specific context for the science exhibits that follow.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
