The Davenport School Museum serves as a resource for learning and preservation of the history of Davenport Community Schools through the acquisition of historically and culturally significant objects and records.
History of the Museum
The beginnings of this museum started in 1960 with Superintendent Anthony Marinaccio urging Mary A Baker and some other fellow retirees to form an association to include the preservation of school history and changes. This was the start of what is now DARSPA.
Mary was born in North Dakota. Her family re-located on a farm in north Davenport. She began her teaching career in the Davenport Schools after graduating in 1913, and taught 42 years in the district. She began collecting artifacts for a museum and storing them in her attic. Fifteen years later, plans began to establish a school district museum with the support of Superintendent Lee Grebner and the school board. No permanent location for the museum was found and the collections were passed from place to place. The museum found its permanent home in 2002 at 1606 North Brady Street. (It is now located at 1702 N. Main St.) Another person responsible for the museum was Robert McCue. He was a teacher and a principal. After retirement, Bob remained active in education. He served on the school board and other community organizations. His involvement with DARSPA led him in becoming very active in the Davenport School Museum .
The museum is run by a dedicated staff of board members. DARSPA changed some of the By-Laws, and in March voted to reduce the board members beginning with the 2015-2016 school year. There are many loyal volunteers dedicating countless hours to the museum. Two of the first volunteers, Jim and Maureen Schebler set up the monthly museum displays at our DARSPA meetings so all members could enjoy a little piece of local history. Today, museum hours are Monday from 9- 11 AM Thursday from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and Friday from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
Research, tours, and lectures can be arranged by calling 563-336-7540. You also can drop by Monday through Friday from 8-5 and peruse through the exhibits and displays in the halls of the administration building after obtaining a visitor’s pass. Genealogists are frequent visitors, and many call with questions. Admission is free and the museum is handicapped accessible. This summer the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau is sponsoring a museum week, June 5 through June 12, 2023. Davenport Schools Museum is participating in this event. If you enjoy history, museums, or just awonderful walk down memory lane, please check it out.
History of the Education in Davenport
The history of Davenport, its people, and its schools is one of hard work, determination, and educational excellence. Antoine LeClaire, founder of our city, played a key role in the exploration of the Mississippi River region in the early 1800s. From 1874 to 1878, Phebe W. Sudlow served Davenport as the first female public school superintendent in the United States. During the Great Depression, our community did not sit idly by to passively weather the economic woes; we instead rallied around our public schools and built six beautiful new facilities for our students.
This industrious spirit is still found in our students, educators, and community at present day. Nearly 16,000 students attend the Davenport Community Schools, one of the largest school districts in Iowa ‒ a state that is well-known for its excellent educational programming. Among these students, nearly 1,000 receive their high school diplomas every year. Each of our graduates is fully prepared to become our future engineers, teachers, and artists. They, together with our teachers, involved parents, agency and business partners, volunteers, and caring citizens, make Davenport Community Schools a district of distinction.
