New Castle Court House Museum Hosts Public Programs
in Conjunction with "A Day in Old New Castle" on May 19, 2007
Dover, Delaware - May 11, 2007 In conjunction with "A Day in Old New Castle," the historic New Castle Court House Museum will be hosting a series of public programs designed to explore Delaware's fascinating historical and archaeological legacy. The museum's programs will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2007 on the New Castle Green and at the New Castle Court House, 211 Delaware St. in New Castle, Delaware.
Programs will include displays, children's activities, tours of the New Castle Court House, an archaeological dig on the New Castle Green off the west end of the court house building, and an outdoor tent showcasing archaeology in Delaware including a collection of authentic pre- and post-contact period artifacts that have been discovered in the state including cultural materials from both the DeBraak and Roosevelt Inlet shipwrecks.
The archaeological activities noted above are components of Delaware Archaeology Awareness Month, a state-wide series of public programs designed to promote the study and conservation of Delaware's archaeological resources and to reflect on the vital role of archaeology in revealing the cultural legacy of the state. For a calendar of events and other information about Delaware Archaeology Awareness Month, visit the following website: http://www.delawarearchaeology.org.
Built in 1732, the New Castle Court House served as Delaware's first court and state capitol. The building, located in the heart of the historic city of New Castle, is one of the oldest surviving court houses in the United States and a registered National Historic Landmark. Here in 1776, New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties declared their independence from Pennsylvania and England creating the Delaware State. The New Castle Court House Museum features tours and exhibits that illustrate Delaware's unique boundaries, law and government, and the Underground Railroad.
Admission to the New Castle Court House Museum is free and open to the public. Other components of "A Day in Old New Castle" carry an admission charge. For additional information on the New Castle Court House Museum, call (302) 323-4453. For information about "A Day in Old New Castle," call 1-877-496-9498 or visit the following website: http://www.dayinoldnewcastle.org.
The New Castle Court House Museum is one of eight museums administered by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs (HCA), an agency of the State of Delaware. 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, manages over thirty historic properties, and serves as the state's historic preservation office. 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.
