Putnam collection gets a little personal

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By David Burke | Friday, September 8, 2006 11:33 PM CDT | () comments

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Davenport’s Jose Lao displays his body art as part of the Putnam Museum’s newest exhibit.

You don’t have to be a museum to have a collection.

Davenport’s Putnam Museum is emphasizing that point, with an exhibit this weekend that takes the personal collections of individuals in the Quad-Cities — and putting them in the museum.

“This year, we have an emphasis on trying to find things that will engage the community, that are going to be interesting to the community, rather than making up some subject that we think is interesting,” said Sally Hinz, chief operating officer of the Putnam.

“Quad-Cities Collects” shows the displays of 20 individuals, from age 2 through adults. Hinz says it’s to show what an individual can compile on their own, and it revives what she thinks may be a dying interest.

“We’ve been hearing stories that children aren’t collecting like they were one generation ago or two generations ago,” she said. “We thought we’d take time to explore that topic.”

Simple brainstorming brought up more people with collections than the museum had room for, said history curator Christina Kastell. She said it’s very likely “Quad-Cities Collects” would turn into an annual exhibit.

“We had to cut the list by the time we got ready,” she said.

At the end of the exibit, visitors will be asked if they would be interested in displaying their collection at future shows.

The current Putnam collection is varied, from a man who collects tattoos — lifesize photos of Jose Lao of Davenport show his body art — to a toddler’s collection of Polly Pockets toys.

A woman was excited to display her collection of checkered aprons, although only 20 of the 60 in her collection made the display.

“We’re discovering that people collect everything. It’s fascinating,” Kastell said.

The Putnam is also showing parts of its collection, including pottery from Mississippi River clay, and collections from the Meskwaki tribe. Lori Arguello, marketing director of the Putnam, said the museum’s collection of shrunken heads — believed by some to be an urban legend — are being put in the display as well.

Kastell said everyone who loaned their personal collections for the display is proud of what they have, and want to show it off.

“They’re excited about giving other people the chance to see what they’re so passionate about,” she said.

David Burke can be contacted at (563) 383-2400 or dburke@qctimes.com.