The Putnam Museum and Science Center is set to open the Vault, a “unique, innovative open storage allows parts of the museum’s 250,000 item collection into public view, with large glass cases and visible shelving.”

According to a release, The Putnam: Re-Imagined Capital Campaign, a major renovation project to allow for more accessible routes into the museum, is reaching its conclusion.

Two long-time exhibits, Rivers, Prairie, & People and the East Asian Gallery, now Common Ground: Our Voice, Our Stories and the World Culture Gallery, saw major updates in inclusivity, modernization, and expansiveness. The World Culture Gallery has additional space for temporary exhibits, and currently hosts The Indigenous Roots of Mexican Americans alongside its permanent displays.

The creation of Quad City Innovators was included in the Capital Campaign, which required complete renovation of what was once the Hall of Gems & Minerals and part of the Palmer Gallery.
Putnam Museum

The Vault (Putnam Museum and Science Center)
The Vault (Putnam Museum and Science Center)
The Vault (Putnam Museum and Science Center)
The Vault (Putnam Museum and Science Center)
The Vault (Putnam Museum and Science Center)

The Vault marks the end of major changes brought on by the Capital Campaign. The exhibit features interactives to allow visitors to search the database for objects from around the world to create their own exhibit.

“The Vault is an incredible, unique feature that brings one of our collection storerooms into view for the public.” Cindy Diehl Yang, President and CEO of The Putnam Museum & Science Center, said. “This is one of the final pieces in our years-long Capital Campaign, which invited donors to Re-Imagine the Putnam Museum. We’ve broken down walls to add doors and we’ve created new, permanent exhibit spaces while updating older ones. This has been such a massive team effort, and I’m impressed by all the work put forth by our staff, community partners, contractors, and the Board of Trustees for making this happen.”

According to the release, other areas of the museum that have been remodeled and updated include The Science Center, Black Earth | Big River, The Fab Lab, the Grand Lobby including Ticketing & the Museum Store and an added Activity Room.

The Vault will be open to Putnam members through July 18 and fully open to the public on July 19. For more information, click here. The Putnam Museum is located at 1717 W. 12th St., Davenport.