In the Community – Summer 2021

The Putnam Museum and Science Center recently unveiled its new World Culture Gallery showcasing cultures from around the world as reflected in the museum’s historic collection. As a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, the Putnam houses a collection entrusted to the museum by seven generations of Quad Citians, including objects from the world travels of some of the museum’s founders including the Putnam, Palmer, and Figge families.

The World Culture Gallery’s inaugural exhibit, The Colors of Culture, explores the meaning of color to people of different cultures, including the symbolism of color in adornment, home, and celebration. Raising awareness of the rich cultural diversity found right here in our own community, the exhibit is a partnership with World Relief Quad Cities and includes artifacts loaned by families from the organization’s refugee resettlement program.

The World Culture Gallery is the first of its scale since the opening of the Science Center in 2014 and was made possible by support from Bechtel Trusts, Scott County Regional Authority, the Putnam Museum Guild and numerous private donors and Trustees. Longstanding and generous support of community partners including Northwest Bank & Trust Company are how the Putnam has been able to serve the community for over 150 years.

A museum of history, culture, and science, the Putnam has served the Quad Cities region since 1867 and is the Quad Cities’ only Smithsonian Affiliate. The Putnam brings to life a sense of place, time and purpose to ignite human potential and inspire our diverse community to learn about and care for our world and all its people.

Visit putnam.org and click “Join and Support” to learn about ways you can get involved.