By Chuck Fithian, HCA Curator of Archaeology The year 1814 saw the inauguration of a new governor— Daniel Rodney of Lewes. Like his predecessor, he continued to oversee and maintain the active defense of the state. Defensive measures continued with Delawareans manning the various fortifications and ongoing militia service. During the year, Delaware ceded Pea […]

Last February, we shared a “behind-the-scenes” glimpse of a film crew from the National Geographic Channel working on a segment from their new show, America’s Lost Treasures, at the Johnson Victrola Museum. For those of you who didn’t get to see the finished product’s premiere last Wednesday, here’s a taste of what you missed: Has […]

By Chuck Fithian, HCA Curator of Archaeology The initial actions and campaigns of the war took place along the Canadian border and on the high seas. However, that would change in late 1812. In December, the British government would declare the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays to be in a state of blockade, and by the […]

By Chuck Fithian, HCA Curator of Archaeology 200 years have passed since the War of 1812, but few realize the dynamic role that the First State and its citizens played within the conflict. This article is the first of four excerpts to be blogged from Mr. Fithian’s essay entitled, “For the Common Defense,” “Infernals,” and […]

By Craig Lukezic, Archaeologist Delaware State Historic Preservation Office After floods, historic road leveling, house and ferry construction, is there anything left of the 17th century Fort Casimir? Keep in mind the fort may have been a wooden plank structure built with rammed earth. Those of you familiar with living in Delaware can guess that […]

By: Madeline E. Dunn Curator of Education – Historian Question: What do the National Guard, West Point, and International Style architecture have in common with Delaware? Answer: Stuart Randall Carswell. Who was Stuart Randall Carswell? Mr. Carswell was born in New Castle County, Delaware in 1891 and attended primary and secondary schools in Wilmington.  He […]

By Alice Guerrant, Historic Archaeologist Our statewide historic preservation plan continues to move forward! Last month, we spent a day at Buena Vista Conference Center with preservationists and planners from around the state to hash out a set of goals based on all of the comments that we’ve been given. It was a very productive […]

Last month on Flickr, the National Park Service launched its 2012 National Historic Landmarks Photo Contest. Some impressive images have trickled into the album from historic sites and talented artists from across the country, but Delaware has yet to make so much as a ripple in the pool of contenders! Naturally… we feel compelled to […]

Dover Days 2012, a set on Flickr. We hope everyone enjoyed the 79th Annual Dover Days celebration! Check out some of these photos from around The Green taken on Saturday, May 5th.

Delaware’s 2012 Week of Service, a set on Flickr. Via Flickr: On April 15th, Governor and Mrs. Markell joined volunteers from across the First State at Belmont Hall in Smyrna, DE to kick-off the third annual Delaware Week of Service. We’ve posted some photos in a new set on our Flickr Photostream (DelawareHistory) to show […]