Division-sponsored programs in July 2023
The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring six special programs during the month of July 2023. A full schedule is included below. Except where noted, all programs are free and open to the public. Reservations are required for some of the programs.
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs programs, July 2023
Saturday, July 1, 2023
First State Heritage Park’s First Saturday. As part of First Saturday in the First State: Old Dover Independence Day, the staff of the Old State House will read the Declaration of Independence at 2 p.m. Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Free admission. 302-744-5054 or OSHmuseum@delaware.gov.
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Dover 4th of July Celebration. Daylong series of activities in downtown Dover featuring tours, entertainment, food, and a parade, culminating with fireworks in the evening. At 2 p.m., the bell of The Old State House will ring 13 times in honor of the original 13 states, followed immediately by historical interpreters, dressed in period clothing, reciting the Declaration of Independence outside near the spot where the document was first read to the citizens of Dover in 1776. Museum also open for tours from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Free admission. 302-744-5054 or OSHmuseum@delaware.gov.
Thursday, July 6, 2023
“Identifying Beach Treasures.” Presentation on how to identify items that might be found on Lewes Beach. Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 2 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations required by July 5. 302-645-1148 or Zmuseum@delaware.gov.
Saturday, July 8, 2023
Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild. Program explores spinning, weaving, knitting and other fabric arts. Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Event held in the mansion dining room. 1–3 p.m. Free admission. 302-739-3277 or JDPmuseum@delaware.gov.
Friday, July 21, 2023
“Well Seasoned Heirlooms.” New Castle was the center of attention when Shirley Temple visited. “Shirley skipped out of the car, looked around at the picturesque courthouse square and then walked hurriedly into the tearoom,” reported The Journal Every Evening. Shirley Temple may have a famous drink named after her today, but in 1938, when she visited the New Castle Courthouse Tea Room, it wasn’t on the menu. Join us on July 21st, 2023, at NOON to learn all about Shirley and her famous visit to the New Castle Tea Room on the Delaware Program streamed live via Zoom. Noon. Free but registration required and only available by clicking here. 302-323-4453 or NCCHmuseum@delaware.gov.
Saturday, July 29, 2023
“Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site: Touring the Homestead.” Join historical interpreters for this introductory program on the history of the Cooch’s Bridge homestead. Learn about some of the individuals who lived on the property, how they shaped the land around them and how the location’s landscape contributed to national history. Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site, 961 S. Old Baltimore Pike, Newark. Tours at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Limit 20 visitors per tour. Free admission but reservations required by clicking here, by calling 302-922-7116 or CBmuseum@delaware.gov.
Saturday, July 29, 2023
“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. 4 p.m. Limited seating. Admission $15 (cash or check only). For reservations, email zmuseum@delaware.gov or call 302-645-1148.
Remaining division programs in June 2023
In addition, the division will be presenting the following programs during the remainder of May. Go to the following link for additional information and reservation instructions: Division-sponsored programs in June 2023 – Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs – State of Delaware.
Saturday, June 24, 2023
“Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site: Touring the Homestead.” Join historical interpreters for this introductory program on the history of the Cooch’s Bridge homestead. Learn about some of the individuals who lived on the property, how they shaped the land around them and how the location’s landscape contributed to national history. Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site, 961 S. Old Baltimore Pike, Newark. Tours at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Limit 20 visitors per tour. Free admission but reservations required. 302-922-7116 or CBmuseum@delaware.gov.
Friday, June 30, 2023
“Well Seasoned Heirlooms.” In this virtual series, Historic Site Interpreter Kimberly Fritsch of the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ New Castle Court House Museum shines a spotlight on the practices, recipes and women throughout Delaware history as they speak to us through their food. Program streamed live via Zoom. Noon. Free but registration required. 302-323-4453 or NCCHmuseum@delaware.gov.
Administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the six 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.
The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is an agency of the State of Delaware. The division enhances Delaware’s quality of life by preserving the state’s unique historical heritage, fostering community stability and economic vitality and providing educational programs and assistance to the public on Delaware history. The division’s diverse array of services includes operation of five museums, administration of the State Historic Preservation Office, conservation of the State’s archaeological and historic-objects collections, operation of a conference center and management of historic properties across the state. Primary funding for division programs and services is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, a federal agency. However, the contents and opinions expressed in the division’s programs and services do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Department of the Interior.