The Figge Art Museum – Davenport, IA

As the major art exhibition and education facility between Chicago and Des Moines, the Figge Art Museum offers all kinds of different art collections and displays for its visitors.

The museum holds a vast permanent collection of European, American, and Spanish Viceregal art and is also home to the Grant Wood Archive and a large collection of Haitian art works, contemporary pieces, and world-class traveling exhibitions. 

The Figge Art Museum market coordinator, Natalie Dunlop, says that one major collection of artwork on display at the museum “are masterworks from the University of Iowa Museum of Art”.  “[the University of Iowa Museum of Art] was severely damaged by a flood in 2008,” Dunlop explains.

Including art displays, the museum also consists of studios, auditoriums, and the lobby which provides educational classes and lectures as well as special events. 

Their most recent special event, which is still currently on display, is their Wonderful World of Oz exhibition which will close on Sunday, September 25th.  The exhibit includes over 110 objects taken from the largest collection of The Wizard of Oz materials.

For a full list of upcoming events, as well as visiting hours and ticket prices, please visit their website at figgeartmuseum.org.

The Rock Island Arsenal Museum – Rock Island, IL

The Rock Island Arsenal has played a major role in the design, development, manufacturing, repair and storage of a vast variety of military necessities. 

From the Spanish-American War to the Global War on Terror, the Rock Island Arsenal has supported the United States Armed Forces.

The museum is the second oldest US Army Museum and displays a leading collection of firearms as well as exhibits that explain what the arsenal does or, as the Garrison of Public Affairs of the museum calls it,  “people, processes, and products”. Currently, the museum does not have any upcoming events, however it is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday.

Visiting hours for the Rock Island Arsenal Museum are from 12:00pm to 4:00pm and admission is free of charge.

If visiting, it is necessary that visitors use the Moline entrance and obtain a pass at the Visitor Control Center.

The Quad City Botanical Center – Rock Island, IL

Exhibiting a tropical garden, Children’s Garden, and Garden Train Railroad exhibit, The Quad City Botanical Center is a beautiful public garden that inspires the imagination of all its visitors.

Featuring plants that you might be able to find right in your own backyard, The Quad City Botanical Center is also home to a variety of plants from around the world as well as their tranquil perennial garden displays.

Being a garden for all seasons, Ami Jenkins, Executive Director of The Quad City Botanical Center, says that the facilities “offer wonderful learning opportunities…and an area dedicated to the young and young at heart!” 

The Quad City Botanical Center also offers banquet space for private use, membership packages, volunteer opportunities and much more.

Don’t forget to stop by for their Pumpkin Extravaganza every Sunday in October to “harvest the fun”.

For more information concerning The Quad City Botanical Center, visit their website at www.qcgardens.com or call 309-794-0991 etx. 203.