Division-sponsored events in September 2023
The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring eleven special programs during the month of September 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, September 2023
Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023
The Battle of Cooch’s Bridge Memorial Ceremony. Program by the Pencader Heritage Museum honors all American veterans at the site of the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge, the only battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on Delaware soil. Pencader Heritage Museum, 2029 Sunset Lake Road, Newark. 10 a.m. Free admission. 302-737-5859.
Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023
“Masters of the Mountain: The Battle of Cooch’s Bridge.” On Sept. 3, 1777, the only Revolutionary War land battle fought in the state of Delaware occurred at Cooch’s Bridge. Join historical interpreters for a brief walking tour to learn more about the area’s strategically significant landscape, some of the individuals involved and how the battle continues to impact the site today. Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site, 961 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark. 1 p.m. Limit 25 visitors. Free admission but reservations required by clicking here, by calling 302-922-7116 or mailto:CBmuseum@delaware.gov.
Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023
First Saturday at Johnson Victrola Museum Open for tours. Free admission. 375 S. New St., Dover. 302-739-3262
Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023
First Saturday at Old State House Open for tours. Free admission. 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. 25 The Green, Dover. 302-744-5054
Monday, Sept. 4, 2023
Labor Day. The following museum administered by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be open: Zwaanendael Museum. The following museums will be closed: John Dickinson Plantation, Johnson Victrola Museum, New Castle Court House Museum and The Old State House.
Every Friday and Saturday from Sept. 8 to Sept. 23: History Revival. Join the Zwaanendael Museum for a new speaker series! Through lectures, music and historic theater, History Revival: Coastal Chronicles seeks to widen the understanding of Delaware’s maritime history. Held in partnership with the Lewes Public Library with funding provided by a grant from the Delaware Humanities. All programs will be held at the Lewes Public Library. Registration is not required. All programs are free. Call 302-645-1148 or email Zmuseum@delaware.gov for more information.
- Saturday, Sept. 8, 2023: The Wreck of the Faithful Steward on Delaware’s False Cape. Join author Michael Dougherty as he discusses his book “The Wreck of the Faithful Steward on Delaware’s False Cape”. Dougherty tells the story of the wreck and the people on board the. 5 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 8, 2023: Possum Point Players Radio Show. The Possum Point Players return to Lewes for a night of radio entertainment! After a brief introduction to some of the popular shows of the “Golden Age of Radio”, they will reach into their radio show archives and present a radio classic See and hear them live and in person! 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023: The Lightship Overfalls. John Bolster of the Overfalls Foundation will discuss the story of Overfalls (LV118) and its history as a lightship, from when it was launched in 1938 to when it arrived in Lewes in 1973. 2 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023: The H.M.S. Debraak. Join Claudia Leister as she discusses her involvement with the shipwreck the H.M.S Debraak. Following the ship’s salvage in 1986, Claudia was heavily involved in the processing, cataloging, and curating of artifacts from the shipwreck. 3:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023: Oyster Farming. Presented by Alan Davis, owner and operator of Inland Bays Shellfisheries, LLC, an oyster farm in Rehoboth Bay. Mr. Davis will share his journey into oyster farming and what the farming process is like. 6:30p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023: Sea Shanty Sing- Along. Join Zwaanendael historic interpreters Thomas Pulmano and Laurie Conner as they explore the history of sea shanties. Then, sailors young and old are encouraged to sing along to a few historic shanties. 3:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023: The Fenwick Island Lighthouse. Tracy Lewis will give a talk about the history of the Fenwick Island Lighthouse which still stands at the southern border of Delaware. 2 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023
“The Battle of the Chesapeake.” Multi-media presentation by Historic-Site Interpreter Tom Welch on how the French fleet under Adm. de Grasse paved the way for the surrender of Gen. Cornwallis at Yorktown and the ultimate victory for the American forces over the British. Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 1 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5054 or mailto:OSHmuseum@delaware.gov.
Saturday, Sept. 9, 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 mailto:JDPmuseum@delaware.gov.
Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023
Annual Lafayette’s Birthday Party. Celebration to feature the lecture “Lafayette’s Farewell Tour: A Primer” by Alan Hoffman, Esq., president of the American Friends of Lafayette. Hale-Byrnes House, 606 Stanton-Christiana Road, Newark. 3 p.m. Guests should bring a covered dish to pass. Admission charge includes coffee and dessert. 302-543-5723.
Friday, Sept. 22, 2023
National Estuaries Day Hike at the John Dickinson Plantation. Join DNERR and John Dickinson Plantation education staff for a free evening hike from the St. Jones Reserve to the John Dickinson Plantation and back. Learn about the natural and cultural history of the area while experiencing the twilight life of the St. Jones Estuary. 818 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. 5:30 p.m. 302-739-3277. Pre-registration is required. Register here: Science and History: Walking the connection from JDP and DNERR Tickets, Fri, Sep 22, 2023 at 5:30 PM | Eventbrite
Sunday, Sept. 24, 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. 302-321-9020.
Saturday, Sept. 30, 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) 731-5780 or mailto:CBmuseum@delaware.gov.
Remaining division programs in August 2023
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, e-mail 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 required by clicking here, by calling (302) 731-5780 or mailto: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. 302-321-9020.
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.