American Pickers Star Danielle Colby Brings Burlesque Museum to Davenport
American Pickers Star Danielle Colby Brings Burlesque Museum to Davenport
For years, fans have known Danielle Colby as the sharp-witted office manager on the hit History Channel show American Pickers. On screen, she is the organized backbone of the antique-hunting team led by Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz. But off camera, Colby has long pursued another passion—burlesque performance and the preservation of its rich history.
Now, that passion is becoming something far bigger. Colby is bringing a Burlesque Museum to Davenport, Iowa, a project that reflects both her love for vintage culture and her commitment to honoring an art form that helped shape American entertainment.
The new museum aims to celebrate burlesque’s past, highlight its cultural significance, and ensure that the legacy of legendary performers continues to inspire future generations.
From Reality TV to Cultural Preservation
Since American Pickers first aired in 2010, Danielle Colby has been an essential part of the show’s success. While Wolfe and Fritz traveled across the country searching for rare antiques and forgotten treasures, Colby managed operations back at their base in Iowa.
But Colby’s interest in vintage culture goes far beyond antiques. Long before television fame, she was deeply involved in the world of burlesque, a theatrical art form that blends dance, comedy, glamour, and satire.
Performing under the stage name Dannie Diesel, Colby became known in the burlesque community for her dedication to preserving the classic style of performances that once dominated American theaters in the early 20th century.
Her fascination with burlesque history eventually led to the idea of creating a museum dedicated to the art form.
Why Davenport?
Colby chose Davenport as the home for the museum for several meaningful reasons.
Davenport sits along the Mississippi River and is part of the Quad Cities, an area known for its cultural institutions, historic architecture, and vibrant arts scene. The region already attracts visitors interested in museums, music festivals, and heritage tourism.
For Colby, Davenport is also close to home. Much of her life and career—including her work with American Pickers—has been rooted in Iowa. Bringing the museum to Davenport allows her to invest in a community that has supported her journey for years.
The location also reflects her belief that cultural institutions shouldn’t exist only in major cities like New York or Los Angeles. Instead, they should be accessible to people across the country.
Preserving the History of Burlesque
The planned museum will feature an extensive collection of artifacts that showcase burlesque’s long and fascinating history.
Visitors can expect to see:
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Vintage costumes covered in feathers, rhinestones, and sequins
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Original posters and theater advertisements from the early 1900s
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Photographs of legendary performers
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Stage props and accessories used in classic routines
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Personal memorabilia from burlesque icons
Burlesque played a major role in American entertainment during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The shows often combined comedy sketches, musical performances, satire, and glamorous dance routines.
Although burlesque sometimes carried a reputation for being risqué, it also represented a powerful space for female performers to control their stage presence and artistic identity.
Colby believes preserving these artifacts helps tell an important story about performance, gender, and creative freedom.
A Passion Project Years in the Making
For Danielle Colby, this museum is not just another business venture—it’s the result of years of dedication to the burlesque world.
She has spent decades collecting costumes, props, photographs, and documents connected to historic performers. Many of these pieces were discovered during her travels across the United States, including while filming American Pickers.
Over time, her personal collection grew large enough to form the foundation of a museum.
Colby has also worked with performers, collectors, and historians within the burlesque community to ensure that the museum accurately represents the art form’s heritage.
Her goal is not only to display objects but to tell the stories behind them.
Supporting Modern Burlesque Artists
Beyond celebrating the past, the museum will also highlight the modern burlesque revival.
Over the past two decades, burlesque has experienced a resurgence in popularity. Performers around the world have revived the art form, blending classic glamour with contemporary themes.
Colby hopes the museum will become a gathering place for performers, fans, and researchers.
Possible future features include:
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Live burlesque performances
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Educational workshops
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Film screenings and lectures
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Cultural events celebrating vintage entertainment
In this way, the museum could serve as both a historical archive and a living creative space.
The Legacy Danielle Colby Wants to Build
While many viewers know Danielle Colby for her role on American Pickers, her long-term legacy may ultimately extend far beyond television.
Through the Burlesque Museum project, she hopes to preserve an art form that helped shape American stage culture for generations.
Her effort reflects a broader theme that runs throughout her career: rescuing forgotten history.
Just as American Pickers searches barns and garages for hidden antiques, Colby’s museum seeks to recover a different kind of treasure—stories, performances, and artistic traditions that might otherwise fade into obscurity.
By bringing the Burlesque Museum to Davenport, Danielle Colby is ensuring that these vibrant pieces of entertainment history remain alive for future audiences.
And for fans who admire her work both on and off screen, the project represents a bold new chapter in a career defined by passion, creativity, and a deep respect for the past. ✨
