Putnam Museum
Museum History and science museum in Davenport, Iowa
In Davenport, Iowa, the Putnam Museum houses regional history, Native American collections and Mississippi River exhibits alongside rotating science displays. Families and school groups visit for hands-on shows and local archaeology.
How to Get to Putnam Museum #
The Putnam Museum sits west of downtown Davenport. From Interstate 74 take exit 1B (US-61/US-67) west into downtown and follow signs for West 12th Street; the museum is at 1717 W 12th St with on-site parking behind the building. By public transit, Davenport’s CitiBus routes stop within a short walk; check the local CitiBus route map for the downtown stops.
Tips for Visiting Putnam Museum #
- Visit on weekday mornings to avoid school groups and see the live-animal exhibits with quieter crowds.
- Check the IMAX schedule and buy combined-exhibit + theater tickets if a film is running-the theater shows regional natural-history films as often as blockbusters.
- Enter via the main door on W 12th Street; free parking is available behind the building but fills up on weekend event days.
- Don't skip the regional history galleries-local Davenport artifacts include Civil War and Mississippi River objects most visitors breeze past.
Best Time to Visit Putnam Museum #
Indoor attraction best visited when the weather pushes people outside (cold winters or hot midsummer) or on a weekday morning to avoid school groups.
Weather & Climate near Putnam Museum #
Putnam Museum's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -11°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (902 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -8°C. The driest month with just 27 mm.
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March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (115 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).
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December
December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).
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