'Talking Art' with Marion Meginnis

Nov 16, 2020

The Hamburg Historic District in Davenport, IA, affectionately known as the “Gold Coast,” contains some of the widest variety of architectural styles in the Quad Cities.  Built primarily by German immigrants in the 19th and early 20th century, the district lies between 5th and 9th Streets (south to north) and between Ripley and Vine (east to west).

Credit The Quad-City Times

As families began to move outwards towards the suburbs in the 1950’s and 1960’s, the historic neighborhood began to decline. The Gateway Redevelopment Group was founded with the intent to save some of the abandoned but historically significant buildings through volunteer service, professional expertise, and financial assistance.  The Architectural Rescue Shop, located at 732 Gaines St., displays, preserves, and sells antique architectural items and helps to fund their organization.

Listen to the conversation here with Marion Meginnis, a founding member of the Gateway Redevelopment Group, about the importance of preserving our historic districts, the history of her own Victorian Italianate-style home originally built in 1868, and the artistry and skilled craftsmanship required to appropriately maintain these architectural gems.

Marion Meginnis is the 3rd ward alderwoman for Davenport who has a master’s degree in historic preservation, is a Board member of the Figge Art Museum, and runs a consulting business, Davenport Historic Preservation Consulting, LLC.

You can download an architecture guide and walking tour brochure, courtesy of the Hamburg Historic District Association, here.