Native American Heritage at Colonel Davenport House August 3-4
Quad Cities - Come, learn and participate in our Native American Heritage with the Inter-Tribal League of American Indians organization at the Colonel Davenport House on Arsenal Island Saturday and Sunday, August 3-4, 2024. There will be short performances, cultural items on display, and tipis on display to walk in and learn about. Public participation is welcome.

Did you know the island was previously a summer camp location for the local Sauk Native Americans?

The QC Archaeological Society will have a display of tools and utilitarian items found on the surface. It will be set up in chronological order showing the different cultural adaptations from 12,000 BC to the historic period.

Hours are 12-4 p.m. each day. $5 admission charged for over 12 years. A guided tour of the Colonel Davenport House is included with admission.

Attendees age 18 and older must show U.S. photo I.D. since the Island is a working military facility. Please enter through the Moline gate. For more information, visit www.davenporthouse.org.

George Davenport was a successful merchant and traded with the local tribes in the Illinois and Iowa territories for many years. After George Davenport was murdered, Mesquakie Indians later held a ceremony at his grave. According to Regina Schantz’ biography, ‘The Trader at Rock Island,’ the ceremony was “an acknowledgment of the long friendship the Mesquakie had with George Davenport.” As part of the ceremony, a cedar post was painted with headless figures (the slain enemy) and two warriors. A replica is at Colonel Davenport House.