Background

During 2021, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs partnered with the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement to develop its 2022–2026 Strategic Plan. The plan recognizes and incorporates the issues, ideas and initiatives of Delaware’s history-, preservation- and cultural-communities including its audiences, institutions, educators and organizations.

Aerial view of the New Castle Green
Aerial view of the New Castle Green. In the foreground is the New Castle Court House Museum, followed counterclockwise by the Arsenal, Immanuel Episcopal Church and the Academy. The Court House, Arsenal, Academy, and the Green itself, are division-owned properties. Photo by Bruce Burk.

With this strategic plan, the division recognizes diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion as essential in our work with audiences, partners and constituents. The recognition of the value, role and impact of history, preservation and culture to community wellbeing, education, inclusivity and strong communities is vital to the division’s mission, goals and objectives.

Outline of 2022–2026 strategic plan process

  • Consultant orientation and information gathering
    1. Staff and consultant orientation — Completed February 2021
  • Staff, stakeholder and community input
    1. One-on-one interviews — Completed March 2021
    2. Focus groups — Completed May 2021
    3. Online surveys — Completed June 1–15, 2021
    4. Town hall meeting — Completed June 15, 2021
  • Plan development — Completed July 2021
  • Final plan — Completed December 2021

Public input in the planning process

As part of the planning process, the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement conducted surveys and virtual town-hall meetings where members of the public provided input into how we preserve and interpret the state’s history.

We were particularly interested in learning more about:

  • The value and impact the division has in helping Delawareans engage with the state’s history, and how that history is meaningful in people’s lives
  • The impact the division has in helping Delawareans explore a diversity of historical and cultural perspectives to inform and influence decisions about the future
  • The division’s role in telling the full story of Delaware history
  • Opportunities to support the history- and civic-education of students and adults
  • Opportunities to support the preservation of Delaware history
  • Barriers that restrict equitable access to historic sites

Surveys

Two targeted, online surveys were available for completion between June 1 and 15, 2021. Each survey category was based on the perspective of the individual completing the particular survey. Categories were:

  • Community members, including all Delawareans and visitors
  • Partner organizations; and history and preservation professionals including historians, archaeologists, preservationists, conservationists and history educators

Survey results were aggregated to inform the broader strategic planning process. Notice of the surveys, with corresponding links, were sent by email, posted on this webpage and promoted through social media.

Virtual town hall

The Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement led a virtual (Zoom) town-hall meeting on June 15, 2021 that focused on various themes that emerged from one-on-one interviews, focus groups and the division’s Strategic Planning Working Group. The virtual town-hall format ensured that participants had a safe space to provide input and contribute to the discussion.

Virtual town hall — Presentation of proposed plan

The virtual town-hall meeting was held on Nov. 17, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to receive community input on the proposed plan.

You may view the complete 2022-2026 strategic plan here