Division-sponsored programs in Dec. 2021
The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring a wide variety of special programs during the month of December 2021 including, among others, a demonstration of historical Dutch cooking, holidays with the Victor Talking Machine Company and a concert of soul-soaked mountain music by the Knotty G’s. A full schedule is included below.
All programs are free and open to the public. However, in order to keep everyone safe in keeping with CDC recommendations, face masks are required inside all museum buildings for people over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status.
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs programs, December 2021
Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021
“Hospitality Night.” Holiday-themed program in which the museum will be decorated for the season by the Sussex Gardeners. Activities will include “Well Seasoned Dutch Cookery,” a culinary demonstration in which visitors can learn historical cooking techniques and take recipes and spices home to try. Presented in partnership with the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 5–8 p.m. 302-645-1148 or mailto:zmuseum@delaware.gov.
Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021
“A Very Victor Holiday.” Spend the holidays with the Victor Talking Machine Company while painting holiday decorations, listening to original 78 rpm holiday music recordings on authentic Victor Talking Machines, discovering 1920s holiday traditions and meeting a 1920s Santa Claus who will be visiting the Dover Salesroom. Visitors are invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate for the museum’s Toys for Tots initiative. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. 302-739-3262 or mailto:jvmuseum@Delaware.gov.
Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021
“Tour Zwaanendael Museum.” Enjoy the museum’s festive holiday-décor created by the Sussex Gardeners. Event held in conjunction with the Lewes Historical Society’s Christmas Tour of Lewes. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 302-645-1148 or mailto:zmuseum@delaware.gov.
Friday, Dec. 10, 2021
Concert by the Knotty G’s. Soul-soaked mountain music. Presented in partnership with the Delaware Friends of Folk and the First State Heritage Park. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 7:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.
Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021
“Spirit of Christmas in New Castle.” One of the best preserved Colonial-era towns in America features a day-long series of events including tours of decorated historic homes, re-enactments, programs at museums including the New Castle Court House Museum, crafts, musical entertainment and more. Downtown New Castle. 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. 302-328-3279.
Friday, Dec. 24, 2021
Christmas Eve. 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.
Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021
Christmas 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, Dec. 31, 2021
New Year’s Eve. 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.
Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022
New Year’s Day. All museums of the State of Delaware (the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum and The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum) will be closed. 302-744-5054.
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 and special programs, 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 long-term calendar of division-sponsored events.
