Events
What’s happening at the museum?
Past Events
Whispering Souls Paranormal Investigations Returns to the Buffalo Bill Museum
October 24th, 2026 - 6:30 PM
Doors open at 6:30 PM | Investigation begins at 7:00 PM
Admission: $25 (100% of proceeds support the Buffalo Bill Museum)
Join us for a thrilling, hands-on evening of ghost hunting as Whispering Souls Paranormal Investigations returns to the Buffalo Bill Museum!
Following a highly successful investigation this past April, the team is back to explore the lingering mysteries of our historic exhibits. You will work directly alongside the investigators, using professional paranormal equipment and techniques to seek answers to the museum's most compelling questions:
Why must visitors ask permission before boarding the Lone Star steamboat?
Who is the cheerful young boy often sensed in the one-room schoolhouse?
Are former residents like Elsie Schurr and Cecil Fletcher still keeping us company?
What causes the sudden chills in the women's clothing exhibit, and is sweet Anna resting peacefully?
This is a fully interactive, immersive experience perfect for the Halloween season.
Important Details:
Please bring a warm jacket, as the boat building gets chilly at night.
All ticket sales directly support the preservation of the Buffalo Bill Museum.
Buy Your Tickets Here: https://events.humanitix.com/whispering-souls-paranormal-returns-to-the-buffalo-bill-museum
Ribbon Cutting & Exhibit Unveiling
October 8th, 2026 - 9:00 AM
Join the Buffalo Bill Museum and the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce for a special morning celebrating local history and community dedication!
At 9:00 AM, we will host an official ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the museum to unveil the newly renovated outdoor paddle wheel. This has been beautifully restored thanks to the hard work and craftsmanship of Chris Jones and Scott Gelande.
Following the outdoor ceremony, we invite attendees inside to experience our newest addition, the "LeClaire: The First 100 Years" exhibit, which chronicles the fascinating early days and foundational century of our river town.
Fall Morning at the Museum: Argrow’s Cafe & Cars and Coffee
October 17th, 2026 - 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Start your Saturday morning with a great meal for an even greater cause!
On Saturday, October 17th, the Buffalo Bill Museum is incredibly proud to host the Argrow's Café Food Truck right outside our front doors from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Grab a delicious bite to eat and help us support a fantastic local mission. Argrow's Café creates vital opportunities for women survivors of violence to build skills, gain employment, and move toward greater independence.
While you enjoy your breakfast, step right out onto the LeClaire Levee to experience a special Halloween edition of Cars & Coffee!
Trunk or Treat: Bring the kids! Several participating cars will have their trunks popped and will be handing out candy to morning trick-or-treaters.
Pet Costume Parade: Don't leave your furry friends at home! Get your pets dressed up in their best Halloween gear and join the fun along the riverfront.
Classic Cars: Stroll the levee, admire incredible local vehicles, and connect with fellow car enthusiasts from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Explore the Museum: After you have had your fill of cars, candy, and great food, step inside the Buffalo Bill Museum to warm up and explore our brand-new "LeClaire: The First 100 Years" exhibit!
Come for the food, stay for the fun, and help us support an amazing community organization. Admission to the outdoor levee events is completely free!
Announcing the "LeClaire: The First 100 Years" Exhibit
Grand Opening: September 27th, 2026
Are you ready to discover the fascinating early days of our riverfront town? The Buffalo Bill Museum is thrilled to announce the opening of our newest exhibit, LeClaire: The First 100 Years.
This immersive new display takes visitors on a visual journey through the defining century of our community, spanning from the 1830s to the 1930s. Through a carefully curated collection of historical photographs and detailed text, you will get a firsthand look at the events, industries, and everyday people who built LeClaire into the vibrant river town we know today.
Exclusive Member Premiere
To celebrate the launch, we are hosting a special VIP premiere event exclusively for members of the Buffalo Bill Museum on Sunday, September 27th, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
As a thank you for your continued support, attending members will receive a special free gift upon entry. Bring the family along, as children will get the chance to choose a prize straight from our museum treasure chest. You will also want to keep your cameras handy—the legendary Buffalo Bill himself will be in attendance to welcome guests and explore the exhibit!
General Public Opening
If you aren't a museum member yet, you won't have to wait long! "LeClaire: The First 100 Years" will officially open to the general public the following morning on Monday, September 28th, at 10:00 AM.
Whether you are a lifelong resident or visiting for the weekend, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the deep roots of our river valley. We look forward to sharing this incredible century of local history with you.
SWITCHBACK CONCERT
August 23rd, 2026
Live Music on the Mighty Mississippi
On August 23rd, the LeClaire Levee Pavilion was filled with the sounds of Celtic, bluegrass, and American folk music as the nationally acclaimed band Switchback took the stage for a free community concert. It was an absolutely beautiful day on the riverfront, providing the perfect acoustic backdrop for singers Marty McCormack and Brian Fritzgerald to entertain the LeClaire crowd with their signature harmonies, instrumental talent, and captivating storytelling.
Celebrating Our Immigrant Roots
The concert was much more than just a musical performance; it was a vibrant tribute to the resilience and culture of the region's early settlers. Centered around the theme, "The Music of the Irish and Scottish Immigrants," the event honored the ancestors who played a vital role in building LeClaire and the surrounding Quad Cities.
Switchback’s performance highlighted the rich cultural heritage brought by those who sought a new life in America. Through their music, the duo paid homage to the families who arrived after enduring immense hardships overseas, including:
The aftermath of the Battle of Culloden
The Scottish Highland Clearances
The Irish 1798 uprising
The Great Famine
These immigrants brought with them a profound, enduring work ethic and a beautiful musical tradition that continues to thrive and bring our community together today.
Exploring "LeClaire's First 100 Years"
In addition to putting on a fantastic show, Marty and Brian took the time to tour the Buffalo Bill Museum. Their visit perfectly aligned with the museum's brand-new exhibit, "LeClaire's First 100 Years."
Just as Switchback's music tells the stories of early immigrants, this new exhibit offers a deep dive into the specific events and people who shaped LeClaire during its foundational century. The concert on the levee served as a fantastic, interactive extension of the exhibit, quite literally bringing the history of the era to life through song.
A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
Community events of this caliber are only possible through strong local partnerships. We want to extend a massive thank you to the Scottish American Society of the Quad Cities (SASQC) and the Buffalo Bill Museum for co-presenting and sponsoring this unforgettable afternoon.
Thank you to everyone who joined us on the riverfront to celebrate our shared history and enjoy an afternoon of incredible live music. If you haven't yet, be sure to stop by the Buffalo Bill Museum to experience the "LeClaire's First 100 Years" exhibit for yourself!
UNVEILING OUR NEW BUFFALO EXHIBIT !
October 11, 2025
In September 2024, the Buffalo Bill Museum received a $20,000 grant from the Regional Development Authority. The Museum used the money to completely renovate and update our playroom, designed for children 3-8 years old.
Our major project was to demolish and clear out the alcove area at the bottom of the entrance ramp to create a permanent new exhibit space for our valuable taxidermy buffalo. The location of this new exhibit will provide a wonderful new welcoming area for our visitors. It features two walls of original art by Jeff Lassiter, inspired by Buffalo Bill’s iconic Wild West posters. We also installed a new audio greeting for visitors, recorded by Paula Sands.
On Saturday, October 11, at 1:00 PM, the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce performed an official "Ribbon-Cutting". Steve Friesen, a Buffalo Bill Historian, will do the honor of unveiling the new exhibit. He is the retired Executive Director of the Buffalo Bill Cody Gravesite Museum in Golden Colorado. His book, "Buffalo Bill: Scout, Showman, Visionary" is based on research he did during his 15-year tenure at the museum.
Steve Friesen was the Director of the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave outside of Denver for 22 years. Friesen has a master’s degree in American Folk Culture from the State University of New York.
According to Debra Lewis, Executive Director, “Buffalo Bill was America’s first international rock star – and we get thousands of visitors from all over the world. This original art was inspired by the iconic posters from his Wild West Show. The audio portion of the exhibit tells how a boy born in LeClaire Iowa in 1846 became the most famous person on the planet.”
Museum Members attended a reception onboard the Riverboat Twilight from 3-5. Mr. Friesen made a special presentation about LeClaire’s famous son. To support the Museum and become a member – visit our website: https://www.buffalobillmuseumleclaire.com/store
For more information and photos, visit our Facebook page HERE
The Unveiling of our NEW playroom! - August 28th 2025
Riveresta Pop-Up Exhibit! - August 1st - September 30th 2025:
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show Presented by Modern Woodmen - June 28th & 29th 2025
A large group of history reenactors from Wisconsin rode their horses into Le Claire, Iowa to present their full-blown arena experience -- "Buffalo Bill's Best of The Wild West." This two-day extravaganza took place at Cody Elementary School -- a beautiful property across the street from Buffalo Bill's birthplace in Le Claire, Iowa.
Big Circus Band Concert - May 30th 2025
Women in History Tea - Women of LeClaire - January 26th 2025
Women in History Tea - Victorian Funeral Practices - 2024
National Congress of the Old West March 20th - 23rd 2024
Buffalo Bill’s Birthday Party! February 23rd 2024