September 20th

Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House Invite the Community to a Porch Party

Location: Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House, 1105 8th Street and 817 11th Avenue, Moline, IL, 61265
Time: noon to 5:00 pm

click for more information

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 26, 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:

Neil Dahlstrom

Thursday, October 22nd, 6:30pm

Neil Dahlstrom is an archivist, writer, and speaker. He grew up and lives in the Quad Cities, once known as the farm implement capital of the world. Today the Quad Cities is a vibrant community of cities on the Illinois and Iowa sides of the Mississippi River with an exciting history of innovation in the farm equipment and automobile industries.


Neil works at Fortune 100 company John Deere, as the archivist and historian. He is a member of the Kitchen Cabinet, the Food and Agriculture Advisory Board at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, and Visit Quad Cities. Neil’s research and speeches have taken him to historical societies and museums, abandoned factories-turned-coffee shops, and state-of-the-art research centers across the country.

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.

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.

• Click here to register for FREE guided tours at 2:30 pm on the 1st Sunday of every month and every Sunday in July and August.