As part of our 30th anniversary celebration, we will be having a special screening of local history film footage from our Archive & Manuscript Collections.
The films will be shown this Saturday, October 20th at 1:30pm in the Film Room, located in the lower level of the Davenport Public Library (321 Main Street in Downtown Davenport).
One of the films is color footage taken at the 1958 Mississippi Valley Fair. The Fair took place from August 10-17 of 1958 at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds on West Locust Street in Davenport. One of the highlights of the film is Gene Autry, who can be seen wearing a red suit and a white hat, with his horse “Champ” doing his Western Review. The film also includes 4-H Club girls showing off their sewing and baking skills, adult and 4-H baby cattle and market hogs competitions, and the “Queen of the Furrow” Contest.
Another film is from the Davenport Parks & Recreation department. This black & white silent footage was taken in the 1930s. It shows sledding at Fejervary Park, the digging of the lagoon at Vander Veer Park, and ice skating at Credit Island Park.
The third film is a reel from a local newscast, labeled “End of Year 1966”. This black & white film includes a speech by Iowa governor Harold Hughes at the dedication of the I-80 Bridge in LeClaire, which opened on October 27, 1966.
The screenings start at 1:30pm—please join us!
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But that’s not all! We have a full day’s worth of programs going on this Saturday, from Genealogy tips to local Civil War history:
Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. with Welcoming remarks at 9:45 a.m.
9:50 – 12:30 – Researching at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin and Using the Draper Manuscripts by George Findlen.
12:30 – 1:30 – Lunch Break. You may either eat in local restaurants or bring a lunch to the library. Water and coffee will be provided for those who wish to eat at the library.
1:30 – 2:30 – Screening of local film footage from the SC Collection – SC staff will present with Bob King from Classic Films.
2:45 – 3:45 – Davenport Civil War Camps – Jim Jacobsen of History Pays!
3:45 – 4:30 – Davenport 1857 Map – Conservation and Content by Amy Groskopf.
You’re more than welcome to stay the whole day or attend the programs of interest—and maybe use some time to do research as well!
For more information or questions please call (563) 326-7902
We hope to see you there!
