Follow us on Instagram!
Category Archives: Local History
Poetry Forms Originated by Nel Modglin
April is National Poetry Month, so we searched our archival collections for local poetry and/or poets to share with all of you. We came across a donation that we received 30 years ago, but we haven’t done extensive archival processing … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Leave a comment
The Martin Family
We are always delighted when we receive a research request from abroad, but our correspondence over the past two months with Robyn Collins of Brisbane, Australia has revealed an especially fascinating story about the fortunes of the Martin family on … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Local History
Tagged County Galway, Gerrard Estate, Ireland, Kilmartin, Kirk, Manion, Martin, St. Anthony's Church
Leave a comment
All Things SPRING
SPRING! The season officially arrived this week on Monday, March 20th, but the dreary days have Special Collections Staff dreaming of ALL THINGS SPRING. Forgive us for getting carried away, but just look at all the reminders of this glorious season … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged archives, Davenport (Iowa), newspapers, Resources, Spring
Leave a comment
“The Patch”: An Early Irish Neighborhood
In March, we see the glimmers of spring with new plant growth and holidays that allow us to reflect on the past as well as the future. Today is one such holiday that is as intertwined with American culture as … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Celtic Heritage Trail, Disasters, East Davenport, Fires, Irish Americans, Local History, neighborhoods, The Patch
Leave a comment
Win for the Red and Blue: Davenport High School’s 1929 Basketball Championship
March Madness is fast approaching and local high school basketball teams are fighting to get to the state tournament. The first boys’ basketball team to win a state tournament for Davenport High School (now Central High School) was in 1913. … Continue reading
The Sepia Record, 1944
With thanks to our friends at the Friends of MLK, [1] the RSSC Center has recently acquired a copy of a publication that gives new insight into an understanding of the WWII-era Black community in the Quad-Cities. To celebrate Black … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged African Americans, Black History Month, Friends of MLK, Genealogy, Local History
Leave a comment
What Was In The Water In Davenport? – Books about Davenport Writers
We are thrilled to be hosting Marcia Noe on Saturday, February 24, 2023, at 1:30pm at The Library | Main to talk about her latest book: Three Midwestern Playwrights: How Floyd Dell, George Cram Cook, and Susan Glaspell Transformed American … Continue reading
Posted in Library, Local History
Tagged biography, Davenport (Iowa), local authors, Local History, Programs, visits
Leave a comment
Saying Farewell To A Local Legend: William “Bill” Wundram
How do you say goodbye to a local legend? William “Bill” Wundram passed away on February 14, 2023, at the age of 98 years. To describe Bill is not a simple task. Think a little of P.T. Barnum’s flair, a … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Leave a comment
Preserving Local History
For over 30 years, the Davenport Public Library has dedicated space and staff for the purpose of collecting, preserving, and accessing the history of Davenport, Scott County, and the surrounding areas. In 1999, The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center was made … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Library, Local History
Tagged Davenport (Iowa), Davenport Public Library, Genealogy, Local History, Resources
Leave a comment
San Fran 49er Fan – Iowa Connections
If you watched last weekend’s NFL Divisional playoffs, you probably saw some Iowans in action! Did you know that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, “Mr. Irrelevant”, was a very successful quarterback at Iowa State University? He seems pretty relevant … Continue reading
