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.
19th Century Christmas Open House
Sunday, December 6th, 12:00 - 5:00pm
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. Plan on visiting Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House, the home of Charles Deere and Katherine Deere Butterworth, son and granddaughter of John Deere. Activities are located throughout the properties, including beautiful decorations and musical performances. Free refreshments are served throughout the afternoon.
Special Tours
The Ladies of the Houses — Mary Deere, Katherine Butterworth, and Pattie Wiman— were raised during the Victorian Era when a woman’s place was with her family, community and church, but behind the scenes, they played an essential role in the growth and success of Deere & Company. As pioneers in the social life of the city, the business and beyond, they helped set the course for the good fortune to come. Visitors will get a glimpse of the private lives of these ladies —their pastimes, personal values, and prized possessions.
Ana Kehoe, who, as a young girl, knew Mrs. Wiman and visited her home, has several unique stories to tell. She will lead the group through both Deere-Wiman House and Butterworth Center for approximately 1 1/2 hours. There will be opportunities to sit during the tour but be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
Saturday, October 10,10-11:30 am and 1-2:30 pm
and Sunday, October 11, 1-2:30 pm
There is an exterior lift and interior elevator at both houses for those with mobility issues. Wheelchairs will not fit in the interior elevator; wheelchair users will be limited to the first floor of both houses.
Parking is available across the street, south of Deere-Wiman House, 817 11th Ave, Moline.
This tour is $20 and is limited to 20 participants.
Registration links:
Friday, November 6, Saturday November 7
& Sunday, November 8 at 10am and 2pm
Charles and Mary Deere built their estate in 1872 and moved to the bluff the following year. Their home, known as “Overlook”, pushed the boundaries of modern living! With time, their
estate, now known as Deere-Wiman House, was updated with technological and mechanical innovations. Equipped with elevators and ribbed cage showers, this home has been witness
to innovations for over 150 years. From customized alterations to practical upgrades, these walls have seen it all.
If These Walls Could Talk provides participants with a unique, guided experience through corridors rarely open to the public with the director of facilities & collections. During this specialty tour, she will spill the tea on everything from the boiler system to the wallpaper to the floorboard nails. Leave with a better idea of the estate’s utility modifications over time and how they reflect the life of a family of early adapters.
This tour is $20 and is limited to 20 participants.
Registration links:
Special Events
Evenings at Butterworth
Thursday, Nov. 12th, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Dusky Waters is the nom de plume of contemporary Americana songwriter and musician Jenn Jeffers, an artist whose work bridges the rich musical traditions of the South with a modern, genre-defying sound. As the Executive Director and Co-Founder of BlackAmericana Fest, a New Orleans-based music festival celebrating Black artists in Americana, Folk, and Country music, she is at the forefront of fostering a more inclusive roots music landscape.
Dusky Waters is an expression of Jeffers’ affinity for the magic of twilight hours and the ever-present Mississippi River, which has shaped her journey from her childhood on the banks of its tributary in Little Rock, Arkansas, to her early twenties in the Delta of northern Louisiana, to her current home in New Orleans. Her music mirrors this passage, fusing the gospel, folk, and soul traditions of the region with pop melodies and arrangements.
She has earned critical acclaim, with audiences and press lauding her ability to craft songs that are both deeply personal and universally resonant. Her music has been described as “beautifully crafted” and “sublime,” elevating her songwriting craft and “clarion call vocals.” Known for high-energy performances that consistently turn crowds into “a sea of movement,” Dusky Waters brings an electrifying presence to the stage. With soulful lyricism, intricate banjo and guitar licks, and a sound that ebbs and flows like the Mississippi, Dusky Waters reimagines Americana. Her music is a manifestation of the magic and mourning of the bayou state and an uplifting testament to the power of self-actualization - honoring tradition while forging a new path that reflects the ever-evolving spirit of the South.
Porch Party
Porch Party is a free family event held annually in September at Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House. Both historic homes are open for the public to explore, with activities for all ages throughout the property. The event also features live music, food trucks, classic cars, tunnel tours, and community groups offering activities and swag. There’s something for everyone at Porch Party!
Music On the Lawn
Check back for future events