Events Throughout The Year
Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House hosts a variety of free family events throughout the year. A traditional 19th Century Christmas open house marks the start of the holiday season on the first Sunday afternoon of December. Other annual events, such as Evenings at Butterworth and Music on the Lawn, appeal to visitors from preschoolers to senior citizens.
Looking for exciting new perspectives? Check out Evenings at Butterworth for in-depth historical presentations in a unique environment. One of the Quad Cities' classic historic homes, Butterworth offers a special stage for programming you won't find anywhere else. Join us in the Butterworth library for presentations that are sure to delight!
Signature Events
Coming April 2024
If These Walls Could Talk
The Deere-Wiman House walls have been witness to technological and mechanical changes for nearly 150 years. From customized, practical installations to new and marvelous innovations, they have seen it all. Join Jan Stoffer, Director of Operations & Administration, on a guided experience through rooms and corridors rarely seen by the public. Guests on the tour will gain a better understanding of the home's utility modification over time and how they reflect the life of a family of early adapters at the turn of the last century.
Participants should wear comfortable shoes, be prepared to climb stairs and ramps, and bring their curiosity.
Post-tour dessert included. Duration 90 minutes. Space is limited to 16 people. Cost $25.
April 26th and 27th at 7p are SOLD OUT
Join us for the Porch Party at Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House
September 15th from noon to 5 pm
2024 schedule -
check back this summer for this year's list of activities:
Butterworth Center
1105 8th Street
Moline, Illinois
1105 8th Street
Moline, Illinois
Music at Butterworth
Jaerv + The OK Factor
Jan. 26, at 3:00p
Jaerv + The OK Factor, Swedish folk quintet + American strings duo Jan. 26, at 3:00p
Bio: Minneapolis, MN-based string duo The OK Factor, and award-winning Swedish quintet Jaerv, present their program, Traditions. In 2017, the bands’ musical worlds collided after The OK Factor opened for Jaerv at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. There was an immediate connection between them, grounded in a mutual love and respect for one another’s talent, rhythmic intricacies, inspiring melodic ornamentation, fascinating instrumentation, and - yes, musical traditions.
Website: https://www.theokfactor.com/traditions
Butterworth Center
1105 8th Street
Moline, Illinois
1105 8th Street
Moline, Illinois
Grosse Isle
March 20, at 7:00p
Traditional music from Quebec and Ireland The traditional music trio Grosse Isle was born out of the “absolutely magical” collaboration between three exceptional musicians from Quebec and Ireland (The Irish Music Magazine). Together, Sophie Lavoie du Lac-St-Jean (fiddle, piano, vocal), AndreĢ Marchand the legendary (guitar, vocal), and Fiachra O’Regan, Irish champion (uilleann pipes, whistle, banjo) shine with their rich and enveloping music. Website: https://grosse-isle.com/March 20, at 7:00p
Butterworth Center
1105 8th Street
Moline, Illinois
1105 8th Street
Moline, Illinois
Daniel Pak
May 14, at 7:00p
Originally from the island of O`ahu, Daniel Pak is a singer, songwriter, and producer residing in Seattle, Washington. Pak is also the co-founder and executive director of Totem Star, a nonprofit youth record label that for twelve years has supported the artistic development and mentorship of nearly 5,000 aspiring young recording artists in the greater Seattle area.May 14, at 7:00p
Website: https://pak.rocks/
Butterworth Center
1105 8th Street
Moline, Illinois
1105 8th Street
Moline, Illinois
Music On The Lawn
Don't miss our free, family-friendly concerts. Events start at 5:00p with plenty of fun and hands-on activities followed by the concerts at 6:30p. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs for seating, along with a picnic supper, if you like. In case of inclement weather, the concerts will move inside the Deere-Wiman Carriage House.
Jeannie B! and the Jelly Beans
June 12
5:00p with concert at 6:30p
Feel like jumpin’, dancin’, and getting a sugar buzz all at the same time? Then we recommend attending an outdoor family concert by Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans, coming soon to the spacious Deere-Wiman House lawn as part of our free Music on the Lawn concert series.
Jeanie’s passion for music has led her on a lifelong mission to entertain and educate children and families. She started composing on the guitar in the style of Carole King and Neil Young when she was just 15. In fact,
her original guitar is still a faithful companion, always waiting to create her next kid-pleasing song.
Parents Choice Magazine says, “Jeanie B! has a strong, melodic voice and writes intelligent and witty songs. She doesn't underestimate the musical and lyrical sophistication of her audience.” Toss in her talented band, The Jelly Beans, and concert goers find themselves treated to an “edu-taining” experience, not soon forgotten.
Round up the family and some lawn chairs or a blanket, bring a box supper (if you like), and join us on the lawn for an evening of family activities, sing-alongs, and good old giggles galore.
Wendy & DB
July 17
5:00p with concert at 6:30p
Nobody delivers pure joy in a musical package like Wendy & DB, coming to the free Music on the Lawn concert at Deere-Wiman House on July 17th.This award winning, multi-cultural singer/songwriter team hails from Chicago. With guitar and ukelele, along with cajon and percussion instruments, they entertain kids and families with original songs about science, nature, animals, and fun topics guaranteed to tickle the crowd. Their catchy lyrics and vocal harmonies explore the world around them while promoting inclusion, diversity, love, kindness, and family values.
For over 20 years, Wendy Morgan has been creating and sharing family-friendly music. She loves performing children’s music because it suits her energetic style. Darryl Boggs has been making music professionally for
over 30 years in the private and public school systems where he teaches band, choir, and classroom music. Together, Wendy & DB released their popular CD, Pockets Seasons Rhymes & Reasons, with lyrics designed
to inspire kids and adults alike.
The evening family concert requires no reservations. Just bring chairs, a blanket, and a box supper (if you like) and be prepared for an unforgettable musical experience with Wendy & DB.
Evenings at Butterworth
Fall 2024 dates coming soon
Art Talks at Butterworth Center
Check back for upcoming programs
Archives Fair 2023
Do you love history?
How about archives and museums?
Presentations in the Tulip Room at the Hauberg Estate, 1:30 and 3:00 pm
Minda Powers-Douglas
Translating Tombstones
What does a hand pointing up on a gravestone mean? Does an anchor mean someone was a sailor? Find out what the different symbols on gravestones mean during this lively program on cemeteries with Minda.
Archives Fair is sponsored by QC Stacks, to learn more go to https://sites.google.com/view/qcarchivesfair/home
Free and open to the public. 1:00p to 4:00p.
Free and open to the public. 1:00p to 4:00p.
Hauberg Center
1300 24th St
Rock Island, Illinois
19th Century Christmas
December 3, 2023, noon to 5p
Each year during the 19th Century Christmas event, hundreds of visitors step back in time to experience the sights and sounds of an 1800s Christmas. Activities are located at both Butterworth Center and at Deere-Wiman House:
- Beautiful decorations throughout both Deere-Wiman House and Butterworth Center
- Musical performances at Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House
- Children’s crafts in the Deere-Wiman Carriage House and Butterworth Education Center
2023 Schedule
Butterworth Center – 1105 8th Street
– The 1892 home of Katherine and William Butterworth.
Noon – 5:00p
– Cookies & Punch (Dining Room)
Noon – 5:00p
– Electronic tablets will be available to learn more
about the house, its occupants, and so much
more (second floor Green Room)
Noon – 5:00p
– View Partners in Preservation, a 10-minute film
documenting the restoration of the Butterworth
historic leaded window (lower level Oak Room)
12:30 – 1:30p
– Rock Island High School Chamber Singers
1:45 – 2:45p
– Moline High School Chamber Orchestra
2:45 – 3:30p
– The Riverbend String Quartet
3:30 – 4:15p
– Euphonium Quartet
(all musical performances in the library)
Butterworth Education Center
– Corner of 12th Avenue and 7th Street
– Tour the former garage, built in 1910 and remodeled in 2009. The original squash court and servants’ quarters contrast the modern entry, meeting space, and projection room.
– Tour the former garage, built in 1910 and remodeled in 2009. The original squash court and servants’ quarters contrast the modern entry, meeting space, and projection room.
Videos created by the Butterworth Foundation with WQPT Public Television—
Uncommon Assets:
The Life and Legacy of John Deere and Hidden Treasures: Discovering Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House through the Eyes of a Child
(first floor squash court)
Children’s Crafts and Activities – sponsored by WQPT Quad Cities Public Television (main Garage Room)
Splash Back in History—an exhibit of the story of the Deere-Wiman swimming pool (second floor above entry)
Hot Chocolate, Hot Spiced Cider, and milk (main Garage Room)
Santa has treats for all youngsters and a free book for the first 400 to arrive (main Garage Room)
Santa has treats for all youngsters and a free book for the first 400 to arrive (main Garage Room)
Deere-Wiman House – 817 11th Avenue
– The 1872 home of Charles Deere, son of John Deere.
Noon – 5:00p
– Self-guided tours of the home
Noon – 12:45p
– Slide
Trombone Quartet
1:00 – 1:45p
– Pianist Eric Newton
2:00 – 2:45p
– Slide
Trombone Quartet
2:45 – 3:30p
– Guitarist Andy Klindt
3:45 – 4:15
– The Riverbend String Quartet
(all musical performances in first floor living room)
Deere-Wiman Carriage House
– 817 11th Avenue
– just east of the Deere-Wiman House on the driveway
Holiday Children’s Make-n-Take Crafts
Josh Wright – Free Caricature Drawings—Plan on a wait while Josh tries to serve as many people as possible.
Xochi Pannell – Face Painting
Hot Chocolate, Hot Spiced Cider and Cookies
The Rock Island County Historical Society
—822 11th Avenue is also open today 1:00—4:00p
The Rock Island County Historical Society—822 11th Avenue will also be open December 3rd, 1:00—4:00p
