HCA welcomes new site supervisors at Old State House, Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site

Gavin Malone is a life-long Delaware resident who holds a B.A. in History and English journalism from the University of Delaware, an M.A. in History from Salisbury University and an M.A. in Teaching from Wesley College.

He has been with the division for twelve years and worked mainly at the Old State House and the Johnson Victrola Museum in Dover where he has given hundreds of tours and developed dozens of programs. Among the programs Gavin has researched, written, presented and performed in some of his favorites were acting as Dr. Watson for two Sherlock Holmes programs as part of Dover Comic Con and as the bootlegger Malone in the Old State House’s Prohibition program, and conducting presentations such as “White Christmas: A Tribute to Bing Crosby” and “Play that Old Time Music: Victor Records and the Early Days of Country Music” for the Johnson Victrola Museum and several programs about wartime events from the American Revolution through World War II for both sites.

For the last four years Gavin has been the lead historic site interpreter at the Old State House where he has led the charge in trying to tell a more inclusive version of Delaware’s history.

In his free time, Gavin enjoys reading books on various historical topics and novels mainly in the mystery, spy and sci-fi genres and cheering on his favorite sports teams. He also finds time to spend with his two Golden Retrievers and cat.

Gavin is looking forward to continue his career at The Old State House in his new role

Leoné Cahill-Krout joined HCA in January 2024 as a site interpreter offering guided tours of the Old State House and Johnson Victrola Museum. She also assists with research, exhibition, and programs at these historic sites. Her recent work has included creating a virtual museum of the second floor of the Johnson Victrola Museum, which can be accessed online by scanning a QR Code provided onsite. Leoné has always enjoyed history and served on several museum boards. Before joining HCA, she served as the Executive Director of the Old Swedes Historic Site and as the Curatorial Director of the African American Resource for Cultural Heritage in Frederick, Maryland, where she nominated all of the exhibit candidates for the new Heritage Center. The Pike Creek resident is now serving her third term on the New Castle County Planning Board and enjoys spending her free time at her river house just outside of Chestertown, Maryland, and (when she’s not in a museum) also enjoys activities like fishing and paddle boarding.

Leoné is looking forward to the challenges of transitioning a formerly private residence into a public historic site at Cooch’s Bridge.