Division to sponsor 14 free programs during November 2016
The five museums of the State of Delaware will be sponsoring 14 special events during the month of November 2016. A full schedule is included below. All programs are free and open to the public.
Administered by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the five museums—the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum—tell the story of the First State’s contributions to the history and culture of the United States. Through tours, exhibits, school programs and hands-on activities, the museums shine a spotlight on Delaware’s unique history and the diverse people who came to live there. The New Castle Court House Museum and the John Dickinson Plantation are partner sites of the First State National Historical Park. The Old State House is located on the Dover Green, another partner site of the park. Go to the following for a comprehensive, long-term calendar of events sponsored by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs special programs, November 2016
Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016
“18th Century Market Fair.” Programs explore an era when The Green served as the focal point of life in Dover as historical interpreters explore the goods, wares and political attitudes of the 1700s. The Old State House will celebrate the fair with special tours and 18th-century-style demonstrations. Sponsored by the First State Heritage Park. The Green, Dover. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. 302-744-5054.
Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016
“Some Like Classical.” First Saturday in the First State program explores some of Victor Records’ earliest recordings of classical music played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.
Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016
“Preservation50—‘Preserving Large Metal Artifacts Outdoors.’ ” Lecture by Michael D. Leister, former director of the Air Mobility Command Museum. Presented in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Program at 2 p.m. on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Nov. 4, 2016.
Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016
Election Day. The following museums of the State of Delaware will be open: The Johnson Victrola Museum and The Old State House, open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; the John Dickinson Plantation and the New Castle Court House Museum, both open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. The Zwaanendael Museum will be closed. 302-744-5054.
Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016
“The People’s House.” In honor of Election Day, guided tours will explore the significance of The Old State House and the many state and county governmental functions that were conducted there between 1791 and 1933. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.
Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016
“Swing.” Guided tours explore the sounds of Swing music as recorded by Victor Records on 78-rpm disks and played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016
“1782-1783: Treaty Signed.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Bob Vander Decker. Part 11 of “The Founding of America in One Year,” a year-long series that examines important local and national events that led to the founding of the United States. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. 7 p.m. 302-323-4453.
Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016
Return Day. The following museums of the State of Delaware will be open: The Johnson Victrola Museum and The Old State House, open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; The John Dickinson Plantation and the New Castle Court House Museum, open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. The Zwaanendael Museum will be open on this Sussex County holiday from 10 a.m.–Noon. 302-744-5054.
Friday, Nov. 11 2016
Veterans Day. All museums of the State of Delaware will be open: The Johnson Victrola Museum and The Old State House, open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; the John Dickinson Plantation, New Castle Court House Museum and the Zwaanendael Museum, open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.
Friday, Nov. 11, 2016
“The Victors of World War I: The Power of Music.” In celebration of Veterans Day, guided tours will examine music’s influence during World War I when patriotic songs were being composed throughout America. Hear 78-rpm recordings of this inspirational music played on authentic Victor Talking Machines, and explore how the Victor Talking Machine Company’s Camden, N.J. factory led the fight to make the world safe for democracy. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.
Friday, Nov. 11, 2016
“Veteran’s Walking Tours.” Programs include stories and visits to grave sites of notable New Castle veterans from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, United States Colored Troops, World Wars I and II, Korean War, Vietnam and Desert Storm. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. Tours depart at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Free admission but advance registration requested by calling 302-323-4453. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 11, 2016
“Delaware Band of Brothers: A Veterans Day Presentation.” Program examines the interconnected lives, dedication and friendship of four Union officers who served together for four years in the Delaware volunteers during the American Civil War. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.
Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016
Dutch-American Heritage Day. Celebrate the anniversary of Nov. 16, 1776 when an American warship sailed into the harbor of the Dutch island of St. Eustatius in the West Indies and was greeted by a friendly salute, the first ever given by a foreign power to the flag of the newly-independent United States. Activities will include Dutch crafts, historical information and, at 2 p.m., “How Did a Rocky Dutch Island Seven Square Miles in Area Become the Catalyst for American Revolution?,” a lecture by Stuart Forman. Lecture held on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.
Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016
Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild. Program explores spinning, weaving, knitting and other fabric arts. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 1–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.
Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016
Bayberry candle workshops. Programs examine bayberries and their use in creating bayberry candles. Presented in partnership with the St. Jones Reserve. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Workshops to take place from 10 a.m.–Noon and 1–3 p.m. in an unheated venue. Please dress appropriately. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations for the workshop are required by calling 302-739-3277 no later than Nov. 18.
Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016
“A Revolutionary Game of Cat and Mouse: Henry Fisher, HMS Roebuck and the Delaware Bay.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Andrew Lyter. Part one of “Ship to Shore Saturdays,” a four-part series that chronicles local Lewes history. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Program at 2 p.m. on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Nov. 18, 2016.
Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016
Thanksgiving Day. All museums of the State of Delaware (the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum) will be closed. 302-744-5054.
Friday, Nov. 25, 2016
Day After Thanksgiving. All museums of the State of Delaware will be open: The Johnson Victrola Museum and The Old State House, open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; the John Dickinson Plantation, New Castle Court House Museum and the Zwaanendael Museum, open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.
Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016
“Handmade for the Holidays.” Seasonal program in which visitors can create a sachet with herbs and spices. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.