Remembering the Struggle

(Scroll down to "Related" for media stories on the exhibit.)
After nearly three years of work, the Civil Rights History Committee, comprised of the Davenport Civil Rights Commission, St. Ambrose University, and the Putnam Museum, are unveiling a museum exhibit, including photos, documents and artifacts.

"Davenport's Civil Rights Movement: 1945-1974"

Saturday, Jan. 16 - Sunday, March 28
Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.
Putnam Museum, 1717 West 12th Street, Davenport, Iowa

Admission to the museum, including the exhibit, is $7 for adults; $6 for senior citizens, students and the military; $5 for children; and free for museum members.

With the help of St. Ambrose University students, the committee conducted interviews and gathered archival materials such as photos, film, letters, audiotapes, key documents and historic artifacts, "to create an archive of materials for future generations," according to Arthur Pitz, committee chair and St. Ambrose University scholar in residence.

"It's important to remember those courageous citizens who engaged in hard-fought battles to win the rights we have today," says Judith Morrell, director of the Davenport Civil Rights Commission. "The City of Davenport is proud of its heritage and we encourage residents and visitors to learn more about our shared history."

"This was a great collaborative project providing the Putnam with the opportunity to collect and display artifacts and archival materials from a very significant period in the community's history," says Putnam Museum Chief Curator Eunice Schlicting.  

Visitors to the museum will be able to see diverse artifacts such as a Ku Klux Klan hood and a hair pick decorated with a Black Power fist. Also part of the display is an audio recording of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Pacem in Terris acceptance speech given on the St. Ambrose University campus in 1965. The exhibit includes a representation of the Toney barbershop, where many informal gatherings related to the movement took place.

Funded in part by Humanities Iowa, a traveling exhibit for libraries and schools, and a walking tour have also been created. The walking tour (markers to be in place this spring) includes sites at which historic events occurred including the Toney home and barbershop; the Mexican-American Ghetto; the St. Anthony Church parking lot, where close to 2,000 parish members and residents gathered for a rally; and the LeClaire Park Bandshell, where the rally was held.

Several presentations are planned in conjunction with the exhibit. On Monday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m., Scott Community College Instructor Craig Klein will present "Davenport's Early Black Community, 1850-1920." In his presentation Klein will discuss the reasons for initial settlements of African-Americans in the Quad Cities and the factors and leaders that shaped the formation of the black community during this time period. On Saturday, Feb. 6, at 2 p.m., Pitz will present "A Compelling Story: Davenport's Civil Rights History from 1945-1974." Both presentations will take place in the museum's lecture hall and are free and open to the public.

This project has been supported and funded by the Davenport Civil Rights Commission, St. Ambrose University and the Putnam Museum, with some funding provided by Humanities Iowa and the National Endowment for the Humanities.