Community Calendar

Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society and the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center of the Davenport Public Library invite you to their monthly meeting.

For our August presentation, Sunny Morton will present, "Fable or Fact? Verifying Old Family Stories." Sunny asks, "Don’t you wish you knew just HOW true certain family stories are? Though you may never be able to fully prove (or disprove) some stories, this lecture demonstrates how to “de-mythify” handed-down tales into truer ones that may be even more compelling. Follow my research into legends on my family tree. See what I discovered, and then consider how the new evidence reshapes the story and how you would tell it. Join us to see if you can unravel your family stories to reveal the truth beneath!"

Sunny Morton is a "Contributing Editor at Family Tree Magazine and the Content Director at YourDNAGuide.com. She is co-author of How to Find Your Family History in U.S. Church Records, co-authored with Harold Henderson, CG, which received a book award from the National Genealogical Society. Her other book, Story of My Life: A Workbook for Preserving Your Legacy, is now in its 2nd edition. She is past Editor of Ohio Genealogy News. Her current research on the archives of Catholic women religious (sisters and nuns) has received funding from the Cushwa Center at the University of Notre Dame."- https://www.sunnymorton.com/about/

This program is scheduled to be held in person and virtually.

This program is suitable for adults and teens.

We strive to make our programs inclusive to all. For accommodation requests, please reach out to specialcollections@davenportlibrary.com.

Related LibGuide: Genealogical Research by Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center

As a Rough Rider, hunter, and conservationist, Theodore Roosevelt possessed a deep interest in firearms. Firearms technology advanced rapidly during his lifetime. Firearms historian, Seth Isaacson from the Rock Island Auction House will highlight a variety of firearms owned by or related to our 26th president.

This program is best suited to adults.

We strive to make our programs inclusive to all. For accommodation requests, please reach out to bfuhr@davenportlibrary.com

This lecture series is commemorating the American Revolution on the 250th anniversary of our nation. All talks in this series are presented by a member of Army Sustainment Command's Office of the Historian, based on the Arsenal.

This program is suitable for adults and teens. Registration is not required.

We strive to make our programs inclusive to all. For accommodation requests, please reach out to reference@davenportlibrary.com

This program is jointly hosted by the Davenport Public Library and the Rock Island Public Library. If you are unable to attend the Davenport Public Library's session, another session will be offered earlier in the day at 2:00 PM at Rock Island Public Library.

The 2026 dates are February 11, March 11, April 8, May 13, July 8, August 12, September 9, and October 14. This program takes place on the second Wednesday of the month at 6p at the Eastern Avenue Branch of the Davenport Public Library. No meeting in January, June, November or December.

Architects, trends and styles that created our unique sense of place.

With loads of visuals, Ellen Shapley begins her talk at the front door of an enchanting storybook cottage with a heartwarming history and a masterful, but "Drunk" brickwork design. Then she'll "reflect" on the bright reflective Carrara glass of the '30s and '40s that modernized our 19th century buildings and still shines today. Next, you'll meet Chicago's great Burnham family of architects who brought their special vision to our cityscapes and waterfronts. And finally, she'll introduce you to Davenport's very own contribution to Chicago and world architecture...award-winning James Goettsch, a native and 1960 graduate of Davenport (Central) High School.

Ellen Shapley is an architectural historian, enthusiast and sleuth who loves to explore our cities and share her observations. She's created tours and given talks in Chicago, Portland, and Hood River, Oregon, and right here in the QC. Check out her Facebook page: "ArchiTouring the Quad-Cities" (https://www.facebook.com/architouringQC/).

We strive to make our programs inclusive to all. For accommodation requests, please reach out to specialcollections@davenportlibrary.com.