"What's Bugging You?": First Saturday in the First State Event
Dover's Museum Square on April 7, 2007
Dover, Delaware - March 29, 2007 A swarm of spring activities await visitors to the museums of Dover's Museum Square (Museum of Small Town Life, Johnson Victrola Museum, and Delaware Archaeology Museum) during the "What's Bugging You?" program that will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2007. Insects provide the unifying theme of this program which is being held in conjunction with "First Saturday in the First State," a monthly event sponsored by the First State Heritage Park at Dover.
Visitors to the Museum of Small Town Life will have an opportunity to discover old-time remedies for itchy insect bites. Activities will include demonstrations that re-create poultices and salves used in the late 19th century to treat pesky stings, while hands-on activities will feature popular herbs that relieve the scratching and keep the pests away.
Visitors to the Johnson Victrola Museum will learn about the opera "Madame Butterfly" as vintage Victrola machines play early recordings of the timeless Puccini classic. At the same time, the museum will be abuzz with the sound of children creating origami insects.
Finally, visitors to the Delaware Archaeology Museum will discover how insects, including parasites, play a crucial role in people's lives. Children will have an opportunity to make lady bug crafts as they learn how this small creature became a Delaware state symbol more than 30 years ago.
Museum Square, located at 375 S. New St. between North St. and Bank Lane, in Dover, Delaware, is open from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; and 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and most holidays. Admission is free. Donations are accepted and appreciated. For additional information, call the Delaware Visitor Center at (302) 739-4266.
Museum Square is administered by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs (HCA), an agency of the State of Delaware working in partnership with the First State Heritage Park at Dover.
HCA enhances Delaware's quality of life by preserving the state's unique historical heritage, fostering community stability and economic vitality, and providing educational programs and assistance to the general public on Delaware history and heritage.
In addition to its museums, HCA operates two conference centers and manages over thirty historic properties across Delaware. Funding for HCA's museums, programs, and services is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly, revenue from HCA's History Stores, and grants from the National Park Service, a federal agency.
