Blog Posts Archive

Last November, HCA announced an initiative to begin conservation work on the hull of the HMB DeBraak. One of the conservation team’s most urgent objectives was to improve the hull’s support-system and to add a water-filtration system that cleans the water that is used to keep the hull wet. Over the last several weeks, HCA […]

By: Ken Darsney, Curator of Horticulture Being someone who has decided to work outside for a living, there are two questions I get asked more than anything else. The first, which happens in the summer, is: “Hot enough for ya?” at which I reply, “Yes. Yes it is.” The second, and much more legitimate, question […]

  It’s the HCA Blog Premier of “Animating Delaware History!” We’ve been doing some work with our Delaware State Seal exhibit at The Old State House and our resident animator, Bradley Dotson, came up with a creative twist to the story behind the Seal:   Of course, this isn’t really how our State Seal came […]

By Alice Guerrant, Historic Archaeologist Have you been on The Green in Dover lately? The east side has mounds of dirt, equipment running around, and a lot of construction going on. It looks like a mess now, but the Division’s project will soon improve the sidewalks and landscaping in front of the Old State House […]

Buena Vista Conference Center, a set on Flickr. The Buena Vista campus was just too beautiful to keep to ourselves last week. We thought we’d spread some of the love for those of you who won’t make it out to see it before summer’s end. Enjoy! Are there any other historic sites in bloom right […]

By Chuck Fithian, HCA Curator of Archaeology 200 years have passed since the War of 1812, but few realize the dynamic role that the First State and its citizens played within the conflict. This article is the first of four excerpts to be blogged from Mr. Fithian’s essay entitled, “For the Common Defense,” “Infernals,” and […]

By Chuck Fithian, HCA Curator of Archaeology The initial actions and campaigns of the war took place along the Canadian border and on the high seas. However, that would change in late 1812. In December, the British government would declare the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays to be in a state of blockade, and by the […]

By Chuck Fithian, HCA Curator of Archaeology The year 1814 saw the inauguration of a new governor— Daniel Rodney of Lewes. Like his predecessor, he continued to oversee and maintain the active defense of the state. Defensive measures continued with Delawareans manning the various fortifications and ongoing militia service. During the year, Delaware ceded Pea […]

By Chuck Fithian, HCA Curator of Archaeology While the fighting was occurring in America, peace negotiations had been taking place in Russia, and later in Belgium. One of Delaware’s senators, James A. Bayard, would be one of the American commissioners who helped negotiate the Treaty of Ghent, which was signed on December 24, 1814 ending […]

Today marks the start of Black History Month and tomorrow Governor Jack Markell will be officially kicking things off in the First State with a public proclamation at 11AM at the Delaware Public Archives. Students from Central Middle School will join the Governor in welcoming Mr. Orlando Camp, one of the “Milford Eleven,” who will […]

By Kellie Mullarkey HCA Historic Sites Interpreter Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin was published on this week in 1852 (March 20th, to be exact). The best-selling novel opened readers’ eyes to the truths of slavery and fueled the abolitionist movement. Most of us are taught that much along the road in grade school, but […]

Special thanks to all of the volunteers for joining Governor, First Lady, and Rue Markell this afternoon at historic Belmont Hall in Smyrna to kick off Delaware’s 2012 Week of Service! More pictures to come! How are you participating in this year’s Week of Service?

Delaware’s 2012 Week of Service, a set on Flickr. Via Flickr: On April 15th, Governor and Mrs. Markell joined volunteers from across the First State at Belmont Hall in Smyrna, DE to kick-off the third annual Delaware Week of Service. We’ve posted some photos in a new set on our Flickr Photostream (DelawareHistory) to show […]

Dover Days 2012, a set on Flickr. We hope everyone enjoyed the 79th Annual Dover Days celebration! Check out some of these photos from around The Green taken on Saturday, May 5th.

By: Jesse Zanavich, Architectural Historian Delaware State Historic Preservation Office With the cold weather here and utility bills on the rise, many historic homeowners may be wondering what they can do to cost-effectively weatherize their homes. But before spending big money to replace your older windows (see Figure 1), first consider a home energy audit. […]

We wanted to mark the first day of spring by sharing some images of our historic sites in bloom across the state:   Hellebore at Buena Vista Conference Center Daffodils at Legislative Mall   What’s your favorite sign that spring is here?