Blog Posts Archive

Charles Kellogg was a conservationist and Victor recording artist.

Built in 1791, the Old State House served as Delaware’s capitol during the United States’ critical early years as a nation. With additions and modifications, the building continued to serve as the state capitol until 1933. The Old State House was the first permanent capitol building in Dover, Delaware. Begun in 1787 and completed by […]

The Old State House was the first permanent capitol building in Dover, Delaware. Begun in 1787 and completed by May 1791, this Georgian-style structure was originally home to both state and Kent County governments. The first floor of the Old State House features an 18th century-style courtroom while the second floor features the former chambers […]

James Booth, Jr. was born in 1789 in New Castle, De. A graduate of Princeton, he was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1812. He had a long and successful law practice and in 1841 was appointed Chief Justice of Delaware. During his tenure as Chief Justice, the case of the Hawkins family was brought […]

Robert Purvis’ interest in abolition started early in his childhood due to the teachings of his father and other abolitionists. Born in 1810, in Charleston, SC, he was of African American, Hebrew, and English heritage. Educated in the North at Amherst College, he settled in Philadelphia, PA and became active in the anti-slavery cause. Purvis […]

Samuel D. Burris (1813-1863), a free Black man from the Willow Grove area of Kent County, Delaware, risked his own welfare, and that of his wife and five children, while serving as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Burris willingly assisted enslaved people to safely navigate through Delaware into Pennsylvania. During the 1830s and 1840s, […]

Thomas Garrett, a birthright Quaker, was born August 21, 1789 in Upper Darby, PA. He was an iron merchant by trade. After moving to Wilmington, DE, he married his first wife, Mary Sharpless and the couple had five children. After Mary’s death, he married Rachael Mendenhall and they had one son. Thomas Garrett is best […]

Division will be offering several programs including those celebrating the 1976 restoration of The Old State House.

It was January 18, 1740 when Samuel Dickinson, a wealthy Quaker tobacco planter and merchant of Talbot County, Maryland moved his family to the plantation on Jones Neck, southeast of Dover, Delaware. John Dickinson was seven years old at the time. Over the next 68 years, until his death in 1808, John Dickinson split time […]

Company played a major role in recording Native-American-inspired music.

Delaware’s State museums are open with tours that allow visitors to experience the history of the First State while continuing to take all recommended steps to safeguard public health. In keeping with Gov. Carney’s COVID-19 guidance, four museums administered by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs — the John Dickinson Plantation, Johnson Victrola […]

Three-part series explores America’s second war with Great Britain.

Johnson Victrola Museum volunteer Jim Schilling leaves after nine years of service.

Welcome to the official blog of Delaware’s Division of Historical & Cultural Affairs. This inaugural post is a special milestone in the division’s current “Point and Click” initiative, which aims to make the division and its holdings more accessible to the public. Having as much concern for the future as we do for the past, […]

On June 30th of last year, members of the Delaware General Assembly joined Governor Jack Markell and guests from across the country to pass Senate Joint Resolution #7 at the Old State House in Dover. Sponsored by Sens. Brian Bushweller and Bruce Ennis along with Reps. William Carson and Darryl Scott, the resolution honors the […]

Six special programs held in celebration of National Women’s History Month.