Division to sponsor 11 special events during July 2019
During the month of July 2019, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring 11 special programs at sites across the state. A full schedule is included below. Except where noted, all programs are free and open to the public.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019 “Campfire at the John Dickinson Plantation.” Join staff around the campfire and play a game of Jeopardy based on the St. Jones Reserve and John Dickinson. Presented in partnership with the St. Jones Reserve. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. 7 p.m. Admission free but reservations required by calling the St. Jones Reserve at 302-739-6377 or by e-mailing margaret.pletta@delaware.gov.
Thursday, July 4, 2019 Independence Day. All museums of the State of Delaware will be open: The Johnson Victrola Museum, open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; The Old State House, open 9 a.m.–6 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.
Thursday, July 4, 2019 “Stars and Stripes.” In celebration of Independence Day, guided tours explore recordings of patriotic music by John Philip Sousa and other Victor artists accompanied by 78-rpm records played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.
Thursday, July 4, 2019 “Independence Day.” Tour Delaware’s historic 1791 capitol building. At 2 and 4 p.m., the building’s bell will ring in celebration of the nation’s birthday, followed immediately by site interpreters, dressed in period clothing, who will recite the Declaration of Independence near the spot where the document was first read to the citizens of Dover in 1776. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Museum open 9 a.m.–6 p.m. 302-744-5054.
Saturday, July 6, 2019 “Independence Day.” Tour Delaware’s historic 1791 capitol building. First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.
Saturday, July 6, 2019 “Stars and Stripes.” Guided tours explore recordings of patriotic music by John Philip Sousa and other Victor artists accompanied by 78-rpm records played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.
Thursdays, July 11, 18 and 25, 2019 “Lost Off Lewes: The British Warship DeBraak.” Special tour explores the history, artifacts and surviving hull section of this 18th-century shipwreck. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 9 a.m. Limited seating. Admission $10 (cash or check only). For reservations, e-mail hca_zmevents@state.de.us or call 302-645-1148.
Saturday, July 20, 2019 “History of the Negro Baseball Leagues.” Living-history interpreter Ron Whittington portrays Hall of Famer William “Judy” Johnson in a program that explores the history of the Negro baseball leagues prior to Jackie Robinson’s breaking of the color barrier in the major leagues. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St. New Castle. Program at 1 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission but reservations are requested by calling the museum at 302-323-4453.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019 Delaware State Review Board for Historic Preservation meeting. Agenda TBA. The Delaware Room, Delaware Public Archives, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dover. 10 a.m.–Noon. 302-736-7417.
Saturday, July 27, 2019 “Lost Off Lewes: The British Warship DeBraak.” Special tour explores the history, artifacts and surviving hull section of this 18th-century shipwreck. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 5 p.m. Limited seating. Admission $10 (cash or check only). For reservations, e-mail hca_zmevents@state.de.us or call 302-645-1148.
Administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the five 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—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 museums are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. 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 division-sponsored events.
