Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs - State of Delaware

Walk to DeBraak
2025-09-18 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, 19958
Join this special tour that explores the history, artifacts and surviving hull section of the HMS DeBraak, an 18th century shipwreck.
The begins at Cape Henlopen State Park (CHSP). Participants will meet Zwaanendael staff outside the CHSP Park Office and take a short walk (0.3miles) to the DeBraak conservation facility. There, attendees will see the surviving hull of the ship and learn more about the history, crew and sinking of the DeBraak through a guided presentation and display of artifacts.
Each tour will last approximately 45 minutes. Individuals ages 10 and up are welcome. Space is limited to 18 participants. Footwear is required for participants.
Prior registration is encouraged. Walkups are welcome if space is available. To register, email zmuseum@delaware.gov or call (302) 645-1148.
This is a free program.

African Burial Ground Guided Visitation
2025-09-20 10:00 - 12:00 | John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE, 19901
This is an opportunity to visit the African burial ground and engage with guides about the complex history of the site.
Reservations are required and can be made after 8/20/2025 by calling 302-739-3277. This program is recommended for ages 13 and older.
The burial ground is believed to be the final resting place for enslaved and free Black men, women and children who died on the plantation. The guided visitations will reflect on the historical context and archaeological research surrounding this significant piece of Delaware’s shared history.
The nearly 2 hour experience will include an orientation in the visitor center, a tour of there created log’d dwelling and a mile round-trip walk to the burial ground, which will include a moment of silence. For the safety of guests and staff, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs reserves the right to cancel or postpone any event due to inclement and/or dangerous weather conditions.
A majority of the activities will take place outdoors. Participants must be prepared for adverse weather conditions and for travel, by foot, over uneven terrain including an unpaved road and an agricultural field. The wearing of appropriate clothing is advised including a hat, closed-toed shoes with good tread such as sneakers or boots, long pants and clothing that accounts for current weather conditions and the presence of insects. Visitors are also advised to bring their own insect repellent and sunscreen.

Fall Equinox Seasonal Activity @ Zwaanendael
2025-09-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, 19958
Celebrate the changing seasons with a seasonal craft! Throughout 2025, the Zwaanendael Museum will offer short, 15 minute lectures paired with a fun, easy to-do craft that connects to natural, nautical and agricultural traditions. Learn about what is in season, the kinds of wildlife and plant life to look out for and then make a pinecone craft for the Fall Equinox. All craft materials will be provided. To learn more, call the Zwaanendael Museum at (302) 645-1148.

National Estuaries Day Hike: Walking the connection from JDP and DNERR
2025-09-27 10:00 - 11:30 | St. Jones Reserve, 818 Kitts Hummock Rd, Dover, DE, 19901
Join DNERR and John Dickinson Plantation education staff for a free 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 life of the St. Jones Estuary. Pre-registration is required; The St. Jones Reserve will be taking sign-ups through this link.

Friends of Cooch’s Bridge | Fifth Anniversary Picnic
2025-09-27 11:00 - 14:00 | Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site, 961 S. Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, Delaware, 19702, United States
Take an exclusive tour of restored buildings and enjoy a picnic at Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site!
Please join us to celebrate our Fifth Anniversary milestone at Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site on Saturday, September 27, from 11-2. You can meet & mingle with other Founding Friends, see HCA’s progress on building restorations, take an exclusive tour, enjoy a picnic lunch, and generally just enjoy some time at the Cooch Family Homestead. We’ll serve lunch under a tent, with tables and chairs — so no need to bring a blanket of your own. A barbecue lunch is on us — new Founding Friends and supplemental donations are always welcome!
We hope to see you there!
There is no fee to participate in the celebration, but registration is required – please do so here.
As you register, we ask you to consider making a donation to support the event and the Friends’ next five years. People wishing to become Founding Friends can do so by making a donation during the registration process.

Brown v. Board of Education: The Legal Battle to End Segregation
2025-09-27 12:00 - 13:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
Charles Hamilton Houston, Thurgood Marshall and other great civil rights attorneys believed the fight for civil and equal rights should take place in the courts.
This presentation by Kathy Trusty of the Delaware Humanities will discuss their most famous case: Brown v Board of Education. Audiences will learn more about the lawyers behind the case and their strategy for proving that separate but equal, when it comes to race segregation, was not constitutional.
This presentation will also examine the five cases that made up Brown v Board of Education. It will delve into the actions and circumstances that led to each case and how five cases from around the country became one of the most important cases in the 20th century and resulted in a United States Supreme Court Ruling to end racial segregation in public schools.
This program has been made possible by Delaware Humanities, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Mysteries of History walking tours
2025-10-02 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-04 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-11 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-16 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-18 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-25 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-30 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-31 15:00 - 16:00 | Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, 19958
Explore the darker and more unusual history of Lewes with this spooky walking tour! Participants will wind through downtown Lewes while Zwaanendael interpreters share stories of shipwrecks, mysterious disappearances and much more. The tour begins at the Zwaanendael Museum and ends at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. The tour lasts approximately 80 minutes and is a half mile long. There is no cost to participate, but pre-registration is required.
These tours fill up quickly and space is limited so reserve your spot! Call the Zwaanendael Museum at 302-645-1148 or email at Zmuseum@delaware.gov to sign up.

Master of the Macabre: The Life and Works of Edgar Allan Poe
2025-10-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE, 19901
In honor of Halloween, this program will describe the life and writings of Edgar Allan Poe, and it will include readings from some of his works. Audience members are encouraged to join in reading their favorite Poe poem or an excerpt from one of his short stories or a poem they’ve written inspired by Poe.

Friends of Folk Concert featuring Strays & Misfits
2025-10-10 19:30 - 20:30 | Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE, 19901
What do you get when you blend a punk rocker and a Polish gospel singer? You get Strays & Misfits! With Lou Lassiter’s driving guitar and Magda’s soulful voice, they guide their listeners through their songs. This duo won the 2023 Delmarva Folk Hero contest.
This concert is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Reservations will not be taken.

Historic Trades Day
2025-10-11 10:30 - 16:00 | John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE, 19901
Explore historic occupations at the John Dickinson Plantation: Learn about historic wood-working from a peg and shingle maker. Experience the sights and sounds of a blacksmith at work. Watch fiber arts pursuits, including spinning and weaving. Learn about pigments and paints while you paint your own watercolor.
FREE ADMISSION340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover.
10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Questions? Call 302-739-3277 or email JDPmuseum@delaware.gov

Hip Hop Cultural Summit: Hip Hop’s Impact On Race and Culture
2025-10-18 10:00 - 17:00 | Delaware Art Museum, 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE, 19806, United States
The Delaware Art Museum will host the third annual Hip Hop Cultural Summit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. This year’s summit will highlight the history of Rosedale Beach. The keynote speaker will be Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, co-founder of the legendary Run-DMC.
The event is free for members and children 6 and under. Adult admission is $10. Admission for children ages 7-18 is $6. Advance registration is encouraged as prices will increase on the day of the event. For more information, go to delart.org/event/3rd-annual-hip-hop-cultural-summit-hip-hop-and-race.

Delaware State Review Board for Historic Preservation annual business meeting
2025-10-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Delaware Center for Material Culture (CMC), 1351 W North Street, Dover, DE, 19901
The Delaware State Review Board for Historic Preservation will hold its annual business meeting from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ Center for Material Culture at 1351 W. North St., Suite 102, in Dover.
The meeting will be conducted in person and remotely. Please see the agenda to follow along with the meeting.
The meeting is free and open to the public. People interested in virtually participating in the meeting can join online via Zoom (see agenda for the link). Written comments may be submitted prior to the meeting date, and comments and questions may be submitted in person or online during the meeting.
Copies of the minutes will be made available in accordance with the law.
The Delaware State Review Board for Historic Preservation serves as an advisory body to the State Historic Preservation Officer, the state official who has been appointed by the governor to oversee and implement the state’s preservation policies in accordance with federal standards. State review boards were created to function primarily as professional bodies that can objectively evaluate the historic significance of properties and provide professional advice on historic preservation matters. In order to accomplish this, a majority of the members must meet minimum professional requirements established in regulation by the National Park Service and represent certain professional disciplines established by the National Historic Preservation Act and amplified in regulation by the National Park Service.
For additional information, please contact Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Gwen Davis at gwen.davis@delaware.gov or by calling 302-736-7410.

William Penn Day
2025-10-25 10:00 - 16:30 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
The New Castle Court House Museum is hosting tours during William Penn Day, with historical interpreters on hand to answer questions and talk about William Penn’s connection to New Castle and the Court House.

At 11 a.m., Doug Miller, site director of Penn’s Pennsbury Manor home, will present “William Penn and the founding of a colony.” In 1681, with the stroke of a pen, the King of England made Penn the single largest landholder in all of England. The son of a high admiral, highly educated and trained in the military arts, young Penn’s path would take him in a different direction when he chose to become a Quaker.

At 3 p.m., the Suzuki Academy from the Delaware Music School will play Baroque music from the era.

Halloween seasonal activity
2025-11-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, 19958
Celebrate the changing seasons with a seasonal craft! Throughout 2025, the Zwaanendael Museum will offer short, 15-minute lectures paired with a fun, easy-to-do craft that connects to natural, nautical and agricultural traditions.

Learn about what is in season, the kinds of wildlife and plant life to look out for, and then make a merman-inspired nature craft for Halloween.

Program begins at 2 p.m. All craft materials will be provided. To learn more, call the Zwaanendael Museum at 302-645-1148.

Hospitality Night at the Zwaanendael Museum
2025-12-04 16:30 - 20:00 | Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, 19958
See the Zwaanendael Museum decorated for the holidays by the Sussex Gardeners and enjoy extended museum hours. Activities may include historical interpreters, demonstrations, crafts, and seasonal refreshments. Hospitality Night at the Zwaanendael Museum will run from 4:30 p.m until 8 p.m on Thursday, December 4th. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible.
For any questions or concerns please contact us at 302-645-1148, or email us at zmuseum@delaware.gov or History.Delaware.gov

Friends of Folk Concert featuring Butch & Teri
2025-12-12 19:30 - 20:30 | Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE, 19901
The Old State House will be hosting Delaware Friends of Folk. This concert is free and open to the public with limited seating.

Spirit of Christmas
2025-12-13 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States

Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild Demonstrations
2025-12-13 13:00 - 15:00 | John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE, 19901
Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild. Program occurs during tours to explore fiber arts pursuits and may include spinning, weaving, knitting, and other historic handcrafts. Group meeting takes place in the Mansion Dining Room.

Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild Demonstrations
2025-12-13 13:00 - 15:00 | John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE, 19901
Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild. Program occurs during tours to explore fiber arts pursuits and may include spinning, weaving, knitting, and other historic handcrafts. Group meeting 1-3 p.m. in the Mansion Dining Room.

Winter Solstice Seasonal Activity
2025-12-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, 19958
Celebrate the changing seasons with a seasonal craft! Throughout 2025, the Zwaanendael Museum will offer short, 15 minute lectures paired with a fun, easy to-do craft that connects to natural, nautical and agricultural traditions.
Learn about what is in season, the kinds of wildlife and plant life to look out for, and then make Calennig Apple, a traditional Welsh gift!
Program begins at 2 p.m. All craft materials will be provided. To learn more, call the Zwaanendael Museum at (302) 645-1148.

Winter Solstice Seasonal Activity
2025-12-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, 19958
Celebrate the changing seasons with a seasonal craft! Throughout 2025, the Zwaanendael Museum will offer short, 15 minute lectures paired with a fun, easy to-do craft that connects to natural, nautical and agricultural traditions.
Learn about what is in season, the kinds of wildlife and plant life to look out for, and then make Calennig Apple, a traditional Welsh gift!
Program begins at 2p.m. All craft materials will be provided. To learn more, call the Zwaanendael Museum at (302) 645-1148.

The American Revolution From Other Perspectives
2026-01-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE, 19901
Old State House Site Supervisor Gavin Malone will describe the American Revolution’s impact on several groups often overlooked in the traditional telling of the story including women, African Americans, Native American and loyalists.

Friends of Folk Concert featuring Eli Lev
2026-01-09 19:30 - 20:30 | DE
