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August 2008 |
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 The Old State House |
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The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has announced that HCA is a recipient of the 2008 Award of Merit from the AASLH Leadership in History Awards for the "Saving Our Delaware Capitols" project. The project spotlighted HCA's and the State of Delaware's recent multi-million-dollar restorations of The Old State House in Dover and the New Castle Court House. Both structures have served as Delaware's capitol at different times during the state's 200+-year history. | |
 The New Castle Court House Museum |
| HCA's museums recorded 96,143 visits in Fiscal Year (FY) 2008, 4% greater than the total of 92,689 visits that the division had set as a goal for 2008, and 5% higher than the total number of visits during FY 2007. Beverly Laing, HCA's Manager of Historic Sites, noted that visitation was up at each of the Divisions eight museums, bucking a national trend that reflects a disappointing level of attendance at many of the nation's museums and historic sites.
FY 2008 highlights at HCA's museums include: |
 Delaware Continentals, sculpture by Ron Tunison  Delaware State Archaeologist Chuck Fithian at the Delaware Continentals unveiling ceremony |
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In a ceremony held on July 16, 2008 on the east front of Legislative Hall, Governor Ruth Ann Minner unveiled a new statue honoring the Delaware Continentals, a regiment of Delaware soldiers who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. The bronze sculpture was created by noted New York artist Ron Tunison.
Delaware's State Archaeologist Chuck Fithian was instrumental in providing expertise for the authentic design of the monument's figures, and in providing research assistance and preparation of context for the entire project. In his comments, Tunison expressed gratitude to Fithian for the detailed information that he had provided about the clothing and equipment used by the Delaware Continentals, right down to the insignia found on the soldiers' buttons and canteens. Tunison incorporated all of these details into the work's final design, creating a sculpture of extraordinary historical accuracy. For more information about the sculpture and the unveiling ceremony, go to the following press accounts: |
 Stanley Arthurs, "The Crusaders." Currently displayed at the Blue Hen Corporate Center. |
| Representatives from HCA and the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford have entered into talks about the possibility of re-locating the Stanley Arthurs painting "The Crusaders" to the Veterans Home. The painting, owned by HCA and currently on display at the Blue Hen Corporate Center, must be removed by the end of 2008 as that facility is in the process of re-modeling and will not be able to house the painting after work is completed.
The colossal painting, measuring 7 by 19 feet, was commissioned by the State of Delaware to commemorate Delaware's participation in World War I. It is one of three such pictures that Arthurs painted for the state. The other two, "Troops Leaving the Dover Green" and "First Day of Peace" are hanging in the Delaware Public Archives building. |
| HCA's Delaware State Historic Preservation Office (DE SHPO) has announced the availability of a new Archaeological Survey Report Form for use when an archaeological survey has been performed but no sites were identified.
Surveys provide information about where archaeological and historical resources are located, what they are, and how important they may be to an understanding of the past. In many cases, archaeological surveys are required by law in order to determine the impact that land-use projects may have on cultural resources. In the past, organizations that have performed archaeological surveys have been required to file full archaeological survey reports, even when no archaeological sites were identified. The new Archaeological Survey Report Form simplifies the reports that are required under such circumstances, and provides for a more expeditious review of the reports by client agencies and the DE SHPO. To review the new form, go to the "Survey Methods and Reports" section of our website. |
| The Read House and Gardens of New Castle, part of the Delaware Historical Society, has been awarded a $400,000 Save America's Treasures grant for essential preservation work. The grant is part of a $1.8 million exterior restoration project for the house that will include roof repairs, masonry restoration, exterior wood work repair, painting, and waterproofing.
Save America's Treasures is a national effort to protect "America's threatened cultural treasures, including historic structures, collections, works of art, maps and journals that document and illuminate the history and culture of the United States." The program is managed by the National Park Service and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. |
| Visitors to Dover's Museum Square will have an opportunity to celebrate the hobbies of two extraordinary physicians during the "Collections and Hobbies" program that will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2008. "Collections and Hobbies" is held in conjunction with "First Saturday in the First State," a monthly program sponsored by the First State Heritage Park at Dover. Guests at the Museum of Small Town Life will have an opportunity to explore Dr. E. D. Bryan's collection of 19thb |