Bix Beiderbecke Museum & Archives

05/29/2026

Our new Donor Board and Archives board have been installed in the new lobby space today. Now when you visit the museum you can learn about the museum's archives and how to use the archives located at the Richardson Sloane Special Collections Center. Thanks to Edwards Creative for helping with the design and getting them fabricated!

05/27/2026

Moving day at the Bix Museum! We got all of the big exhibit pieces moved into the new space today. A huge shout out to Two Men (actually 5) and a Truck for making it happen. We wouldn't have gotten it done without the great work they did today.

Up next we have to install all of our banner labels, then we can finally move the artifacts in. We are looking for help to do that this weekend and throughout next week so if you would like to help out you can reach out to us to volunteer. First look at the new Museum will be next week, Friday, June 5th, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. during the live at 5:00 summer kickoff block party! Keep an eye out for more details soon.

05/20/2026

Laying out the exhibit platforms today to mock up the layout of the new Museum space so we can figure out what tweaks to make before installing the large walls and banner labels. Lots of work still to be done before we can open this summer. We are looking for volunteers to help with the installation so if you would like to help us move, message us to learn how!

05/18/2026

Bix Blast May 2026 Edition | Bix Museum Set to Reopen this Summer, Bill Donahoe Collection, Birdies, and More! - https://mailchi.mp/bixmuseum.org/november-17463033

05/13/2026

We got our 2027 Museum calendars in this week. For next year we are spotlighting an artifact from our collection for every month! They'll be on sale at the museum and our online store here in the next week. All calendars feature fun facts and historical dates in Bix's life. Each year we include new historical facts and dates so even old calendars have fun images and information to learn. We still have 2026 calendars available on our website at https://www.bixmuseum.org/bix-store

05/11/2026

Getting the floor of the new Museum space painted and ready for our upcoming move! The Bix Museum has been granted our occupancy permit and we are slated to be open this summer ahead of Bix Weekend.

05/07/2026

The historic house is listed at $220,000. It will need a new roof and lots of updates, but preservationists say it's just waiting for the right person to come along. https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/the-current/bix-beiderbecke-childhood-davenport-home-house-for-sale-tour-inside-listing/526-d9bd6407-9a26-4046-914c-da9e521d8127?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WQAD

05/07/2026

Bix Museum Director Nathaniel Kraft was on WQAD today talking about the Bix House being for sale and stories about Bix growing up in the home.

Nathaniel Kraft, director of the Bix Museum, joined The Current to speak about Bix's impact on American music and some legends associated with the home.

05/02/2026

We hinted a few weeks ago that we were getting a collection from New Jersey to have for the reopening of the new museum space and we are happy to give a sneak peak. We are happy to announce we have received a collection of items from the family of the late Bill Donahue who was the band leader of the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Band and inspiration for the Bix Jazz Festival when his band traveled from New Jersey to Davenport to play at Bix's gravesite on August 6th 1971.

The collection includes items from the "Bix Stomps" the 4 day long jazz festival Bill hosted in his backyard that was attended by thousands of people a year and was a precursor to the Bix Fest, band memorabilia, cassettes, CDs, and VHS tapes of BBMJB and other band performances, photos, letters, newspaper articles, Bix Fest memorabilia, signed items from musicians who played with Bix, art, and Bill's personal record collection among other things. Here are a few photos of some of the items in the collection.

A good chunk of the donation will find its way into our archives to preserve the history of the Bix Stomps, the Bix Lives movement, and the founding of the Bix Jazz Festival 55 years ago. Other items we plan to have on display at our grand opening this summer in celebration of the upcoming 55th Bix Jazz Festival!

05/02/2026

Thank you Gov Vilsack for honoring Bix today during your visit to the Quad Cities!
https://www.kwqc.com/2026/05/02/former-agriculture-secretary-vilsack-visits-davenport-mark-world-food-prize-milestone/

During his visit, Vilsack brought attention to the connection between the Quad Cities and music legend Bix Beiderbecke.