Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs - State of Delaware

Friends of Folk Concert featuring Strays & Misfits
2025-10-10 19:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | 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

Mysteries of History walking tours
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.

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, 2026-01-10 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-02-14 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

In Common Cause: Delaware's Homefront in the Revolutionary War
2026-01-10 12:00 - 13:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
Despite its small size, Delaware made significant contributions to the cause of American independence—far more than a single battle or a midnight ride. During the Revolutionary War, Delaware evolved from being part of a larger colony into an independent state, a transformation driven by the sacrifices and efforts of its citizens and civic leaders. These individuals gave their time, resources, and even their personal safety to support the common cause of American freedom.
Join us as we explore the challenges faced and contributions made by the men and women of Revolutionary Delaware, preserved in the records of the Delaware Public Archives.
Presented by: Joe Sullivan, Delaware Public Archives

Absalom Jones, Richard Allen and the Free African Society
2026-02-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE, 19901
Local historian Syl Woolford will describe the lives and careers of Priest Absalom Jones and Bishop Richard Allen and their roles in building the early AME Church.

Friends of Folk Concert featuring Julie Derrick
2026-02-13 19:30 - 20:30

Make a Sailor Valentine
2026-02-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, 19958
Purchased by sailors on their travels to give to their sweethearts back home, sailor valentines were popular souvenirs. Learn about these intricate works of art and make one yourself!
This craft is available at the Zwaanendael Museum from11a.m. to 3p.m. while supplies last. No cost. Perfect for all ages. The Zwaanendael Museum is located at 102 Kings Hwy, Lewes DE. Call 302-645-1148 or email zmuseum@delaware.gov for more information about this event.

Delaware's Presidents: Not Just Joe
2026-02-14 12:00 - 13:00
Site Supervisor Juliette Wurm will give an overview about the first 10 Delaware Executives who were called Presidents instead of Governors. This will cover the Revolutionary era and the Early Republic and the sometimes rough times of the Delaware’s Presidents.

Connecting a Million Notes: Uncovering the Life of New Castle's Last Chinese Laundryman
2026-02-21 12:00 - 13:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
New Castle Court House Museum Lead Interpreter Allison Reardon will discuss her research into Belman Lui, the last proprietor of the “Chinese laundry” at 123 Delaware St in New Castle. She will discuss the origins, triumphs, and challenges of her research and then explore Belman Lui’s life and family in China, California, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.

Delaware State Review Board for Historic Preservation
2026-02-25
Final_February 2026_State Review Board_Minutes
