Division-sponsored events in August 2023
The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring 10 special programs during the month of August 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, August 2023
Every Thursday in August 2023, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
History Revival. Join the New Castle Court House discussion about Delaware’s Maritime history and enjoy discounted food at local restaurants after the programs! The program will be held at the New Castle Court House Museum. Registration is not required but space is limited. Call 302-323-4453 or email NCCHmuseum@delaware.gov for more information.
- August 3: Wade Catts will be discussing recent archaeology work at Fort Casimir in “A Fortress…which the Hollanders call Fort Casimir: Searching for Fort Casimir, 1905-2019.” Where was Fort Casimir in today’s City of New Castle? Are there any remains of the fort? Researchers have looked for more than a century to find the site of this Delaware icon. This presentation summarizes the story of the historical, archaeological, and topographical research and exciting discovery – more aptly, rediscovery – of the site of Fort Casimir.
- August 10: Mike Dixon will be presenting his “From Here to There: Ferries & Bridges Cross the Delaware.” In early times, crossing the First State’s waterways, particularly the mighty Delaware River, presented a challenge. Getting from here to there often depended on river conditions, and the pre-bridge solution was the ferry. This program looks at the story of getting from here to there in the era of ferries, with a particular emphasis on the Delaware River. Ferries were put out of business once the Delaware Memorial Bridge opened in 1951.
- August 17: Kalmar Nyckel will be presenting “Kalmar Nyckel Yesterday and Today.” This program tells all about the original Kalmar Nyckel and New Sweden, then transitions to the construction and launch of the replica Kalmar Nyckel in the 1990s.
- August 24: Keith Henley of the American Historical Theatre will portray James Forten, an African American abolitionist and sailor, and explore his work at sea following the Revolutionary War.
- August 31: Bill Manthorpe will introduce Captain Thomas Read, an often forgotten Revolutionary War hero from New Castle. It will highlight his role in the creation of the Continental Navy, note his recognition as the “First Commodore of an American Fleet.” His efforts in conjunction with his friend John Barry to support Washington at Valley Forge will be described. His later service for the navy and as a merchant captain will be discussed.
Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023
“The Great War & the DuPonts” Lecture on DuPont and World War I by Lucas Clawson of the Hagley Museum. Presented in partnership with the First State Heritage Park. Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 2 p.m. Free admission. Call 302-744-5054 or email OSHmuseum@delaware.gov.
Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023
Concert by Bryan Scar Trio. Music at the Mill Summer Concert Series featuring a live performance, food truck, and cash bar. Guests should bring their own blankets and lawn chairs. Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, 15411 Abbott’s Mill Pond Road, Milford. 6–8 p.m. Admission charge. Registration required. Call 302-422-0847.
Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023
“Underground Railroad Superhero Fun Day.” Outdoor family-friendly event celebrates superheroes from the Underground Railroad and today. Guests are invited to wear their favorite superhero costume to meet superheroes from the past including Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and Thomas Garrett as portrayed by historical re-enactors. Additional activities include guided tours of the landmark and arts activities. Presented by the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, Fort Christina National Historic Landmark, a site on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, 1110 E. Seventh St., Wilmington. 12–4 p.m. Free admission. Call 302-429-7447.
Saturday, Aug. 12, 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. Call 302-739-3277 or email JDPmuseum@delaware.gov.
Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023
“Hippiefest.” Celebrate the anniversary of Woodstock with live music, food and more. Sponsored by the Milford Museum. Causey Mansion, 2 Causey Ave., Milford. 3–8 p.m. Admission charge. Call 302-424-1080 or email info@milfordDEmuseum.org.
Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023
“End of Summer Splash.” Visit the John Dickinson Plantation for water-based interactive science and history programs! Our partners at the St. Jones Reserve, First State Heritage Park, and the New Castle Court House Museum will each bring hands-on activities for all ages. Hosted by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ John Dickinson Plantation and the St. Jones Reserve. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. 1–4 p.m. Rain date: Aug. 24. Free admission. Call 302-739-3277 or email JDPmuseum@delaware.gov.
Friday, August 25, 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.
Saturday, Aug. 26, 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 are required by clicking here, by calling 302-731-5780 or emailing CBmuseum@delaware.gov.
Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023
Prince George’s Chapel open house. Tour this National-Register-of-Historic-Places-listed site that was built in 1755 as an Anglican chapel-of-ease named in honor of the English prince who would later become King George III. Prince George’s Chapel, 32040 Chapel Lane, Dagsboro. 1:30–4:30 p.m. Free admission. Call 302-321-9020.
Remaining division programs in July 2023
In addition, the division will be presenting the following programs during the remainder of July. Go to the following link for additional information and reservation instructions: Division-sponsored programs in July 2023 – Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs – State of Delaware.
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 mailto: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.
Administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the six museums of the State of Delaware — the Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site, 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.