The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs welcomes new staff
Join the Division in welcoming its newest staff members, who bring a wealth of experience in working with the public, historic sites, programs and more.
Stephenson “Steve” Cox (he/him) joined the division in June 2022 as a museum interpreter who will serve as a tour guide while also researching subjects related to the people, places and things that can help others better understand what happened historically, and why, and what it has to do with them today. In other words, interpreting history! At the Old State House, he helps people understand the significance of that former seat of government, and what Delawareans of all walks of life have experienced living in the area, particularly between the Revolutionary War and the early 20th century. At the Johnson Victrola Museum, his interpretive emphasis focuses more on the early 20th century and less on government. There, he’s able to share information about an inventive spirit that gave rise to machines, processes and changes that created a social and mental landscape that people couldn’t even imagine at the time. As a young boy, Cox remembers visiting a childhood home that had been restored and the impact of grade-school history classes as drivers in his passion for family heritage and history. He has worked in a cubicle, in a pulpit and in the field. He currently lives in Camden in a 1790 house with his wife, and enjoys archaeology, genealogy and gardens.
Andrew Detweiler (he/him) joined the Division in late January 2022 as a physical plant maintenance supervisor. He has always been fascinated with historic structures. He currently lives in Magnolia and enjoys fishing and spending time with his dogs.
Marjanna Duckworth (she/her) is a custodial and maintenance specialist who joined the Division in April 2022. She said she has a whole new respect for history since joining the team and helping maintain the physical upkeep and appearance inside and outside the historic sites on a daily basis. She takes pride and has great passion for any work that she does and is always eager to learn new things. Growing up, her family owned a little country store in Maryland, which helped her learn how to become a motivator and a people person. She now lives in Dover with her mother and her four-legged fur baby Rufus. She likes to spend her free time on weekends kayaking and going to the beach.
Devon Filicicchia (she/her) originally joined the Division in 2020 as a part-time historical interpreter at the Zwaanendael Museum and in 2022 was named lead interpreter at the historic site. In this role, she works closely with her colleagues to implement new research and interpretive projects from educational programs, activities and materials to use in the museum to social media content. She also works closely with the site supervisor to oversee daily museum functions and make sure visitors enjoy their time at the Zwaanendael! Filicicchia said art history classes taken during her time at the University of Delaware inspired her to enter the museum field. Before joining Division, she served as the volunteer and visitor services coordinator at the Milton Historical Society, where she researched local history, developed programs and created new exhibits. After growing up in rural Kent County, she now lives in Lewes and enjoys visiting antique stores, roller-skating and playing video games in her free time.
Stephanie Jenkins (she/her) joined the Division as an accounting specialist in mid-February 2022. Jenkins, who has 30 years experience in finance-related roles, has always had a love of history. Her position with the Division has inspired an increasing fascination with Delaware history and preservation concerning topics that she previously didn’t know about. The New York native now lives in Dover and enjoys writing and watching Hallmark movies with her 92-year-old mother in her free time. She has published nine paranormal romance books under the pen name S. Raven Storm. Before the pandemic, she taught a writing and poetry workshop at the Dover Public Library. She also spends a lot of time with her four grandchildren, two of whom are twins. Prior to Delaware, she lived in North Carolina for 20 years and identifies as a Black Croatan-Lumbee and Coharie Native American. Since she was not raised under a tribe and has no real language, she is constantly researching and exploring her history and culture.
Luke Pickrahn (he/him) joined the division in mid-March 2022 as a cultural preservation specialist and archaeologist. His main role is to review development projects happening across the state for archaeological concerns, but occasionally also conducts archaeological site visits and provides technical assistance to the public. Outreach and public education concerning preservation is also key, he said. Pickrahn said he’s driven by an interest in how people interact with each other and their environment. For him, archaeology is special and worth studying because it can provide tangible evidence of those interactions throughout time and space. Pickrahn, a Michigan native, holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in archaeology and has worked as an archaeologist in cultural resource management and in many places around the U.S. with most of his career spent in the Great Lakes Region. He currently lives in Dover, and in his free time he reads and plays guitar, an instrument he’s played for most of his life.
Asia Surguy (she/her), the Division’s new business services manager, joined the team in early June 2022. In her role, she and her team work closely with managers and suppliers to track funding and allocate funds for different projects and needs. Surguy has 10 years of experience working for the state, including with the Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Correction. Originally from a large family from Baltimore, Maryland, Surguy currently lives in New Castle County with her 11-year-old daughter, Alivia, who is a softball player recently featured on the Delmarva Sports Network’s “Superstars of Tomorrow” for her athletic achievements. Surguy also has a retired K9 named Taz who just joined the family last spring and has decided to be a puppy again as well as two rescued bull terriers that keep her on my toes. In her free time, she enjoys fishing with her daughter and her fiancé and crabbing (being on the water is her peace) during the summer and bonfires with friends in the winter.