Saving the Past, Shaping the Future

On Tuesday, September 29th, over 300 fourth-grade students gathered at the New Castle Green for an engaging educational field trip focused on historic preservation, community heritage, and the importance of protecting the past for generations.  

For spring 2027, plans are underway in Kent County for this field trip experience at the Dover Green where educational programming will focus on community heritage and historic preservation.  

The annual program, Saving the Past, Shaping the Future, is hosted by First State National Historical Park, with assistance from the New Castle Court House Museum.  The program takes place each fall on the New Castle Green and each spring on the Dover Green, bringing together students and preservation professionals for a hands-on learning experience that connects Delaware’s rich history with the next generation.   While rotating through multiple stations, each partner introduced students to different aspects of historic preservation through activities designed to make learning engaging, accessible and memorable. 

Partners this year were: Alapocas State Park, New Castle Historical Society, The Read House, Delaware Historical Society, The Biggs Museum of American Art, the Delaware State Historic Preservation Office, Kalmar Nyckel Foundation and the First State Club. Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs sites including the Old State House, Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site, Zwaanendael Museum, and New Castle Court House Museum were a part of the collaborated event.

 At the conclusion of the program the students are sworn in as Junior Rangers for the National Park and are given Every Kid Outdoor pass. This pass allows students free admission to National Park sites all over the United States for a year so they can continue learning about preservation.