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!

Music On The Lawn

Porch Party 

Join us for the Porch Party at 
Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House
Music - Food and Craft Beer Trucks - and Fun

This is a family friendly day with lots of activities for people of all ages.
Local history is fun! Brought to you by the William Butterworth Foundation.
Details for 2025 to come soon. 

See you Sunday, September 21, 2025, 12 - 5 pm  


Music At Butterworth  Line-up for the 2025-2026 partnering Quad City Arts Visiting Artist season to come this fall.

Evenings at Butterworth

Art Talks at Butterworth Center

19th Century Christmas

Sunday, December 7, 2025, 12 - 5 pm
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 Butterworth Center, Butterworth Education Center, Deere-Wiman House, and Deere-Wiman Carriage 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
Butterworth Center– 817 11th Avenue
 – The 1872 home of Katherine Butterworth, granddaughter of John Deere.
  • Cookies & Punch
  • Film 
  • Live Music
Butterworth Education Center  - 817 11th Avenue
 – The 1872 home of Katherine Butterworth, granddaughter of John Deere.
  • Children’s Art Activities 
  • Self- Guided Tours of the former garage (built in 1910 and remodeled in 2009,)  original squash court,  and servants’ quarters,  contrasted with the modern entry, meeting space, and projection room.

Deere-Wiman House – 817 11th Avenue
 – The 1872 home of Charles Deere, son of John Deere.
  • Self-guided tours of the original home
  • Live music
 
Deere-Wiman Carriage House – 817 11th Avenue
 – just east of the Deere-Wiman House on the driveway
  • Holiday Children’s Make-n-Take Crafts
  • 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 has traditionally been open as well.