In addition to tours of the historic home, activities will include presentations by Grand Oak Plantation, a living history organization that recreates scenes from America's past, circa 1864. Appearing in character and dressed in period clothing, Grand Oak Plantation will present the following programs during its May 16 visit to Buena Vista:

Located at 661 S. Dupont Highway (Route 13), southwest of New Castle, Buena Vista is one of Delaware's most historic homes. The main section of the house was built between 1845 and 1847 by John M. Clayton, United States Secretary of State from 1849-1850 under presidents Taylor and Fillmore, and United States Senator from 1829-1836, 1845-1849, and 1853 until his death in 1856. The home later became the residence of C. Douglass Buck, Governor of Delaware from 1929-1937 and United States Senator from 1942-1948. Buena Vista and its grounds were donated to the state by the Buck family in 1965 and now serve as a state conference center administered by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.

Decorated today as it would have appeared during Governor Buck's time in residence, Buena Vista presents an eclectic mixture of architectural styles and decor including an outstanding collection of 19th century furnishings formerly owned by the Buck family. As an added seasonal bonus, visitors will have an opportunity to stroll through Buena Vista's beautiful grounds that are bursting with springtime color.

For additional information, contact Buena Vista at 302-323-4430.

After an inspection on April 7, 2009, members of HCA's Preservation Maintenance Team reported that a large section of ceiling plaster was in imminent danger of falling. Based on this assessment, HCA Director Tim Slavin ordered the building closed and display items removed to a safe location pending an assessment of the steps that would be needed to return the structure to safe operating condition. A re-opening date has not yet been determined.

For more information, go to the following press account:
Cracked ceiling closes threatened Dover museum
The Wave, Bethany Beach, DE—Apr. 9, 2009

Museum Square, located at 375 S. New St., between North St. and Bank Lane, in Dover, Delaware, is open 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and most state holidays; and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free. Donations are accepted and appreciated. For additional information, call the Delaware Visitor Center at 302-739-4266.

The legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Thomas R. Carper, then-Senator Joseph R. Biden, and Congressman Michael N. Castle, was introduced by Congressman Maurice Hinchey of New York and Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut.

The Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail, which generally follows roads that have been in existence since the 18th century, traces the 600-mile route taken by the armies of General George Washington and the French general Count Rochambeau from Newport, Rhode Island, to Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781 and 1782. Delaware's 26 miles of the trail, all located in New Castle County, transverse some of the state's oldest roads including those now known as Philadelphia Pike, Maryland Ave., and Old Baltimore Pike.

A network of historic house museums, state, local and national parks, archives, tourism offices, state departments of transportation, greenways advocates, libraries, and historical societies, as well as private individuals, in Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia have been working together since 1998 to bring this historic designation to fruition.

Kim Burdick, National Chairman of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association noted, "The establishment of this unique public-private partnership celebrates the role colonial Americans...played in supporting the care and feeding of the troops and their animals as they marched to Virginia to defeat British General Cornwallis. It represents a new opportunity for America to embrace its history, grow its economy through heritage tourism efforts, and educate students and families about American history and the long-time friendship between the United States and France."

Owned by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs with educational programs administered by the Delaware Nature Society (DNS), Cooch-Dayett Mills is located at 904 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, DE 19702. Admission to the open house for DNS members is $8 for adults and $5 for children. Non-member admission is $11 for adults and $7 for children. For additional information, call 302-239-2334.

Built in the 1830s by William Cooch, the water-powered facility operated as a commercial grist mill until the late 1990s when it and surrounding agricultural acreage were acquired by the State of Delaware through the Open Space Program, a state initiative designed to protect natural open space lands.

The mill complex is part of the Cooch's Bridge Historic District, site of the only Revolutionary War battle fought in Delaware—the Battle of Cooch's Bridge on September 3, 1777.

The fountain, located on the Boardwalk at the foot of Rehoboth Avenue in the former Methodist camp meeting community of Rehoboth Beach, was sponsored by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, an important women's civic organization that took a prominent role in promoting social welfare causes in Delaware from the 1870s to the 1960s. Erected in 1929 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Delaware branch of this national organization, the fountain reflects the organization's mission to promote abstinence from alcohol as symbolized by providing water as an alternative.

The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation. Listing in the National Register provides formal recognition of a property's historical, architectural, or archeological significance based on uniform standards that are utilized by every state.

According to John L. Nau, III, chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, "This legislation permanently authorizes these two important programs that provide American citizens in communities across the country with the means to use and save their historic places that tell their part of the American story. In doing so, they make powerful economic, environmental, and cultural contributions to communities and the nation."

Save America's Treasures grants, established during the administration of Bill Clinton and championed by then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, provide essential funding for restoration and preservation work on nationally significant historic structures and objects. The Preserve America program, which includes a grant program, was established during the administration of George W. Bush when Mrs. Laura Bush served as honorary chair for both initiatives. The Preserve America grant program provides matching funding for educational, marketing, planning, and related historic interpretation and heritage tourism efforts. The law authorizes up to $50 million for Save America's Treasures and up to $25 million for Preserve America grants annually.

The deadline for applying for Save America's Treasures funding is May 22, 2009. The deadline for applying for Preserve America funding has not yet been determined.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities. Its field offices enhance this effort by supporting local, state, and regional preservation efforts. The Northeast Field Office is located at 6401 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144. For additional information, call 215-848-8033 or e-mail at anita_franchetti@nthp.org.