Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs - State of Delaware

Delaware State Review Board for Historic Preservation Meeting
2024-10-16 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Delaware Center for Material Culture (CMC), 1351 W North Street, Dover, DE, 19901
The Delaware State Review Board for Historic Preservation serves as the advisory body to the state historic preservation officer, the official appointed by the governor to oversee and implement the state’s preservation policies in accordance with federal standards. As part of its responsibilities, the State Review Board evaluates historic properties for placement in the National Register of Historic Places, and provides professional advice on historic preservation matters.

The State Review Boards Annual Business meeting is scheduled for October 16, 2024, from 10am to noon, at the Delaware Center for Material Culture (1351 West North Street Suite 102, Dover, DE), with the option to attend virtually via Zoom. As part of the meeting, State Review Board members will conduct their Annual Business meeting and will consider the nomination for the Isaacs and Sons Cold Storage Building, located at 107 Depot Street in Georgetown for submission to the National Park Service for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

Isaacs & Sons_NR Nomination_SRB Draft

Mysteries of History
2024-10-12 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-10-05 14:00 - 15:00 | 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 last approximately 80 minutes and is a half mile long. There is no cost to participate, but 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.

Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild Demonstrations
2024-10-12 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-09-14 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-08-10 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.

Historic Trades Day
2024-10-12 10:00 - 16:00 | John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE, 19901
Explore historic occupations at the John Dickinson Plantation. Learn about historic woodworking from a peg and shingle maker. Experience the sights and sounds of a blacksmith at work. Learn how to spin wool on a drop spindle and dye it different colors. Enjoy the challenge of playing historic games and tour a historic house museum.

Friends of Folk Concert Series: Tyler Greene
2024-10-11 19:30 - 20:30 | Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE, 19901
Unpredictable in genre or instrumentation, Delaware native Tyler Greene is always striving to explore new methods of songwriting, production, and performance. With a show that features acoustic asides, psychedelic jams, sample manipulation, & live looping mastery, Tyler is sure to fit the bill and to deliver. Shapeshifting into whatever the situation calls for, he draws on extensive music theory knowledge and 10+ years of experience of playing shows around Delmarva to take audiences on a sonic journey of playful exploration. Tyler is also known for taking requests during cover sets, engaging with a crowd, and taking new songs as an exciting challenge.
Learn more on Tyler Greene’s website.

History Revival: Produce and Dairy Farming in the Small Wonder State
2024-10-11 17:00 - 18:00 | Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave, Lewes, DE, 19958
Presentation: Staff from the Delaware Agricultural Museum will provide an overview of a recently opened exhibition in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution. Then, a history of the Dairy industry in Delaware in advance of another new exhibit, “Dairying in Delaware” (2025).

Speakers: Dr.Christiane Warren is a highly sought after conference panelist, award-winning educator and published author, who assumed the role of Executive Director of the Delaware Agricultural Museum in Dover in 2024. In this capacity, Dr. Warren draws on her successful record of service. She has served as department chair and academic dean at 2-and 4-year institutions in NJ and NY, as well as holds a doctorate in Intellectual History and several Master’s degrees from Drew University and Capella University, and graduated with honors from the University of Maryland/European Division. Her portfolio includes leading institution-wide policy revisions and advocating practices that have increased enrollment, retention, and graduation rates at her client institutions. Dr.Warren’s expertise lies in grant writing and administration, leadership and program development.
Prior to her current position as Museum Services Manager at the Delaware Agricultural Museum, Kayla Growe was a successful Retail Store Manager for Catherine’s Plus Sizes in Wilmington, Delaware. Throughout her successful career, Ms. Growe was awarded the President’s Club honor, being in the top 5% of all Catherine stores in the country. Ms. Growe’s skill of customer service, public relations, and event planning comes from her background and student career. In 2013, Ms. Growe graduated from Delaware Technical and Community College in Dover with an Associate Degree in Applied Sciences – General Business. During this time, she learned to build relationships within our community which she still uses today.
Register Here
Delaware Humanities funding acknowledgement
History Revival: Food and Drink Across Delmarva has been made possible in part by Delaware Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.

World Vexillology Day - Flags Over Delaware
2024-10-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, 19958
Over Delaware’s 390 years of history, numerous flags have flown over the state. Presentation discusses these flags and how they have influenced other flags currently flying throughout the state.

National Estuaries Day Week at the John Dickinson Plantation
2024-09-26 17:00 - 18:30 | 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 twilight life of the St. Jones Estuary. Registration is required.
Click this link to register: National Estuaries Week Hike

African Burial Ground Guided Visitation
2024-09-21 10:00 - 12:00 | John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE, 19901
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 8/23/2024 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 1 ½ hour experience will include an orientation in the visitor center, a tour of the recreated log’d dwelling and a mile round-trip walk to the burial ground, which will include a moment of silence.
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. 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.
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.

Addressing the Silence: Town Hall in Partnership with the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice
2024-09-18 18:00 - 19:00 | Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave, Lewes, DE, 19958
Register and join us in-person at the Lewes Public Library’s large meeting room.

We are thrilled to invite you to an informative Town Hall! The Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDARJ) is proud to unveil a groundbreaking collaboration with the John Dickinson Plantation (JDP).

Town Hall Discussion Highlights

About “Addressing the Silence”
This transformative project, spearheaded by the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience (ICSC) and funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is dedicated to fostering knowledge of those excluded from history. Spanning two-and-a-half years, it brings together 13 museums from across the United States, all committed to preserving our full, factual history.

SDARJ’s Role as a Community Partner
As the designated Community Partner, SDARJ plays a pivotal role in this initiative alongside JDP. Our participation will focus on:

Building Relationships: Engage in open and honest conversations with JDP staff to align views and objectives.
Shaping Museum Practices: Collaborate with JDP to ensure the enslaved population who lived, worked and died on this plantation will be known and remembered through their exhibits and programs.
Championing Community Voices: Ensure that JDP’s work authentically reflects the diverse stories of all who lived there.

Why This Matters to Our Community

Reflecting Our History
SDARJ’s involvement in “Addressing the Silences” empowers us to ensure that the stories of the enslaved residents of JDP are told with accuracy and respect. This project will assist with ancestral history and documentation of the black community. Furthermore, it will enhance the entire community’s knowledge about the forgotten and silenced enslaved people.

Sharing Learnings Nationally
At the project’s conclusion, a national learning session will bring together all participating museums and community partners to share insights and outcomes. This exchange will help museums become more welcoming and inclusive spaces.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of a significant movement towards inclusivity and representation in historical storytelling. Join us to learn more about this exciting initiative and how it will benefit our community!
We look forward to seeing you there!

Register Today!
Let’s make history together!

Pastels on The Green
2024-09-14 08:00 - 13:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
Workshop attendees will get the chance to use their skills and do pastel art on the New Castle Green. The Thursday workshop is required if you are going to be attending the Plein Air on Saturday but if you join the workshop you are not required to join the art making on the Green. Space is limited so please register with Moz’ Art Gallery.
For details about the workshop, please see the link below:

Art Workshop

Art Workshop
2024-09-12 18:30 - 19:30 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
Participants will get to explore using pastels with local artist Dennis Young and then use those skills on Saturday to make art on the New Castle Green. This workshop is required if you are going to be attending the Plein Air on Saturday but if you join the workshop you are not required to join the art making on the Green on Saturday. Space is limited so please register with Moz’ Art Gallery
For details about the following showcase on September 14, please see the link below:

Art Workshop

46th Annual Nanticoke Powwow
2024-09-08 10:00 - 19:00, 2024-09-07 10:00 - 19:00 | Hudson Fields, 30045 Eaglecrest Rd, Milton, DE, 19968
The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs (HCA) is a proud sponsor of this year’s powwow.

History Revival - Taverns, Taprooms and Tippling Houses
2024-08-29 19:00 - 20:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
Join us as New Castle Historical Society director Mike Connolly discusses taverns located in the city of New Castle in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Some taverns were famous, and some infamous, but all offered services for travelers and residents alike.

History Revival - Swedish, Dutch and English Brewers
2024-08-27 19:00 - 20:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
Historian John Medkaff will focus on brewing in the 17th century colonial period in Delaware. The focus will be on the Swedish, Dutch, and English periods. Discussion will extend to areas a bit outside New Castle but the latter will be the area of focus.

18th Century Gaming
2024-08-24 10:00 - 16:00 | John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE, 19901
Visit to experience a variety of pastimes from over two hundred years ago. Outdoor games 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the East Yard and indoor games 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Dining Room of the Mansion.

History Revival: the Green Book
2024-08-22 19:00 - 20:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
Carlton Hall, historian with the State Historic Preservation Office, will discuss his work on Delaware listings in the Green Book, a segregation-era travel guide for African Americans created by Victor Green and published annually from 1936 through 1966.

Delaware State Review Board for Historic Preservation meeting
2024-08-21 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 meet from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, 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.
During the meeting, the board will consider a National Register nomination for Compton Park Apartments in Wilmington. The State Review Board will also present a National Register certificate to the property owner of the Vincelette Futuro House.
To join the meeting virtually via Zoom, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82884544093 or call in at 309-205-3325 (the webinar ID is 828 8454 4093). Click HERE for a full meeting agenda.

History Revival - Corn, Beans, Squash and You
2024-08-20 19:00 - 20:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
Meet the Three Sisters (Corn, Beans, and Squash), tobacco and the many other edible and medicinal plants native to eastern North America and discover how to incorporate them into a modern garden. Learn how to harvest, dry and store seeds/leaves, develop strains of plants that best suit your needs, where to buy or trade for seeds, how to tell if seeds are heirloom or GMO and what to expect in yields, nutrition and uses of the plants you grow. Dig into the history of these key plants and their importance to both Indigenous Americans and European settlers.

History Revival: Tea with Mercury Cafe & Teahouse
2024-08-15 19:00 - 20:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
One of the co-owners of Mercury Cafe & Teahouse will talk about tea making from field to cup.

History Revival: Bees and Honey
2024-08-13 19:00 - 20:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
Thomas Lunt, the owner of the Fort Casimir Honey Company and Apiary, will present a program on bees and honey. He will also talk about Delaware’s native bees and honeybees their importance as pollinators.

Float Your Boat
2024-08-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, 19958
Part of the Zwaanendael Museum Pirate Passport activity. Learn how boats float, and make your own. For children of all ages. 2 PM on the second floor of the Zwaanendael Museum.

History Revival: Colonial Brewing
2024-08-08 19:00 - 20:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
A brewer who makes beer in the authentic Colonial style will visit us to speak about brewing in the American Colonies and how brewing and tavern culture was important to the American Revolution.

History Revival: Pass the Rum
2024-08-06 19:00 - 20:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
This program looks at the historical attempt to regulate the consumption of alcohol over the centuries. While most people are aware of prohibition in the 1920, during the so called Noble Experiment, attempts to regulate this behavior extend far into our past. While the program pays deeper attention to the modern era, as the nation and the State of Delaware struggled to live with the prohibition law for nearly 14 years, it takes a much longer view. During the presentation the audience will hear colorful stories of rum runners, moonshiners, bathtub gin, intriguing personalities, complicated politics, organized crime, outgunned lawmen, and the temperance movement
