The Putnam Museum and Science Center (1717 W. 12th St., Davenport) will be unveiling a brand-new discovery at their 2024 fundraising gala, Mysteries of the Museum, on Saturday, Feb. 24.
The mystery object, originally from Asia, was acquired by former Davenport mayor Charles Ficke in the early 1900s and has been hiding in plain sight in the Putnam storerooms ever since, according to a museum release. It is one of only three of its kind known in the United States – one of its sisters is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. (The Putnam is waiting to reveal the identity until the gala.)
The gala will feature this discovery and a selection of other mysterious objects rarely seen from the collection. Guests will learn about the history, significance, and science of these items.
“This is an incredibly exciting discovery for the Putnam …