Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs - State of Delaware

Walk to the DeBraak
2025-07-12 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-19 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-14 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-05-15 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-05-10 15:00 - 16:00 (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 ages10 and up are welcome. Space is limited to 18 participants. Footwear is required for participants.
Prior registration is encouraged. Walk ups are welcome if space is available. To register, email zmuseum@delaware.gov or call (302) 645-1148.
This is a free program!

Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild Demonstrations
2025-07-12 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-06-14 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-06-13 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-10 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.

Walking Tour of the Green
2025-07-11 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-13 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-05-30 10:00 - 11:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
Join the staff at the New Castle Court House Museum for a walking tour of New Castle Green and learn about the history of Green and the structures around it.

Reading of the Declaration of Independence
2025-07-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE, 19901
Following the National Bell Ringing Ceremony, staff from the Old State House will read the Declaration of Independence steps away from where it was read to the citizens of Dover in 1776.

Fourth of July at the Old State House
2025-07-04 10:00 - 16:00 | Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE, 19901
Visitors can experience the state’s historic capitol building, with a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 2:00 PM and a quill writing workshop in the courtroom. Happy Independence Day!

Fourth of July at the Johnson Victrola Museum
2025-07-04 09:30 - 16:00 | Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S New St, Dover, DE, 192701, United States
Visitors to the museum can hear patriotic music played on authentic Victor Talking Machines

Dog Days of Summer
2025-06-28 20:00 - 22:30 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
Join us on the Green to watch 1776 and learn about the history behind it.

Walking Tour of the Green
2025-06-27 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-20 10:00 - 11:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
Join the staff at the New Castle Court House Museum for a walking tour of New Castle Green and learn about the history of the Green and the structures around it.

Summer Solstice Activity at the Zwaanendael Museum
2025-06-21 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 firefly craft to celebrate the Summer Solstice.

Remembering Rosedale Beach
2025-06-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE, 19901
Remembering Rosedale Beach is a compilation of Historical accounts and oral histories of people who experienced the magic of one of the greatest culture institutions in America the former Rosedale Beach Hotel and Resort, given by historian Tamara R. Burks. During the depression era and beyond Rosedale Beach was a fantastic place of leisure and activities for people of color along the American east coast. Due to segregation policies and practices in early America, people of color of a variety of backgrounds were barred from frequenting various types of public facilities, such as hotels and restaurants. These communities had to create and run their own entertainment venues and facilities, and they also ran their own leisure activities. This was the case when Rosedale Beach was in operation and was transformed into a major East Coast vacation destination. People came to Rosedale Beach from points north, south, east, and west to vacation for the day, the week or the summer. Visitors came to be entertained by top-of-the-line entertainment and to enjoy leisure activities, such as baseball games, swimming, church picnics and other activities. The Rosedale Beach story continues to draw in people from all walks of life under the umbrella of amazing, world-class music and entertainment.
Tamara R. Burks has a background in journalism, media studies and historical research and interpretation and served as a historical interpreter and researcher for HCA from 2002 to 2011.

International Horseshoe Crab Day
2025-06-20 11:00 - 15:00 | Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, 19958
The Zwaanendael Museum celebrates the horseshoe crab with a pop-up exhibit, activity and more!

Dover Comic Con 2025 Panelist @ The Old State House
2025-06-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE, 19901
1:00 PM
The Cult Classic Movie “The Room” discussed by actor Philip Haldiman
The cult classic The Room is a 2003 American independent romantic drama written, directed, produced by, and starring Tommy Wiseau. Philip Haldiman, who played Denny in the film, will share behind-the-scenes stories from the set, insights into the making of The Room, and highlights from his broader acting career. He will also be showcasing his comic book, which will be available at Dover Con.

Separation Day
2025-06-07 10:00 - 16:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
Separation Day is the annual celebration of Delaware’s independence from Pennsylvania and the British Crown. 2025 marks the 249th anniversary of arguably one of the longest running traditions in the state. The community event is held annually in Historic New Castle. Friday night festivities include music, food and drink in the center of town. Saturday kicks off with a Colonial-inspired parade. The middle of the day is filled with children’s rides, an Artisan & Vintage market, live music, beer garden and foods prepared by community groups. The day culminates with fireworks over the Delaware River.

Walking Tour of the Green
2025-06-06 10:00 - 11:00 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
Join the staff at the New Castle Court House Museum for a walking tour of New Castle Green and learn about the history of Green and the structures around it.
Tours run every Friday morning in summer! Check our calendar for a full list of dates.

Day in Old New Castle
2025-05-17 | New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Delaware, 19720, United States
How many events do you know of that can say they achieved their 100th? This is every exciting for Historic New Castle and we have been proactively promoting that achievement. The theme for our 100th anniversary is to recreate the first 1925 event as well as A Day in Old New Castle through the decades. We are looking to have the original buildings and homes open, plus other private homes and gardens. We will have family friendly activities that are free of charge so anyone can come enjoy the day!
If you purchase a ticket you receive:

Dock tour on the Kalmar Nyckel
Historic houses and gardens open for tour
Museums and church tours
$1 off ticket price if you dress in Colonial or Victorian period clothing

The following features are Free of Charge throughout the day:

1900-1940 antique cars from the Brandywine Antique Car Club
Steam Cars from the Marshall Steam Car Museum
The Wheelmen antique velocipedes and bicycles
1st Delaware Regiment Encampment/Ft. Casimir Garrison Encampment
Colonial Artisans and crafts
​Children’s activities
Saturday Market ​
And so much more….

May Day Activity at the Zwaanendael Museum
2025-05-03 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 May Day related flower craft.

Dover Days at John Dickinson Plantation
2025-05-03 10:00 - 16:00 | John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE, 19901
Celebrate Dover Days at the John Dickinson Plantation! Activities include tours of the mansion and historic demonstrations. At 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. there will be guided walks to the African Burial Ground, weather permitting. Meet at the Log’d Dwelling to join your guides for the walk. The mile round-trip walk to the African Burial Ground will include a moment of silence when arriving there. This opportunity to visit the African Burial Ground does not require a reservation.
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.

Dover Days at the Old State House
2025-05-03 10:00 - 16:00 | Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE, 19901
The Old State House will be open to the public for self-guided tours and activities as part of the annual Dover Days celebration.
