Roosevelt Inlet Shipwreck
In the fall of 2004, a beach replenishment project pumped tons of sand onto Lewes Beach. What no one knew at the time was that this sand was peppered with […]
Sussex Gardeners to decorate Zwaanendael Museum for the holidays
Decorations presented in conjunction with the Lewes Lights event.
The Journey: Byberry Township, Pennsylvania
Emeline, Sam and the six children traveled to Byberry Township, Pennsylvania. They were helped by Robert Purvis, leader of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. Emeline and her family settled in freedom […]
The Journey: Camden, Delaware
Sam Hawkins acquired the assistance of Samuel D. Burris, a free Black conductor in the Delaware Underground Railroad. During a raging snowstorm, Burris lead the Hawkins and four other male […]
The Journey: Ingleside, Maryland
Enslaved Emeline Hawkins lived in the town of Ingleside, Queen Anne’s county, Maryland, with her husband, Sam Hawkins, a free man, and their six children. Her eldest sons, Chester and […]
The Journey: Jail at New Castle Court House, Delaware
The Hawkins family, the Middletown constable and the slave owner’s agent arrived at the New Castle jail at 2:00am, December 6, 1845. The New Castle sheriff, Jacob Caulk, examined the […]
The Journey: Middletown, Delaware
On Friday, December 5, 1845, Emeline and her family arrived at the farm of Quaker abolitionist John Hunn. The Hunn family immediately gave the weary group food, clothing, and shelter. […]
The Journey: Wilmington, Delaware
After receiving permission from the judge, Thomas Garrett procured a wagon and had the family transported to his home in Wilmington. There they joined Samuel Burris and the other freedom […]
The People: Chief Justice James Booth, Jr.
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 […]
The People: Emeline & Sam Hawkins
Known Facts about Emeline Hawkins Emeline Hawkins was formerly a slave belonging to James Glanding of Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. While she was James Glanding’s property, she gave birth to […]
The People: John Hunn
Born in 1818, John Hunn was a Quaker abolitionist and stationmaster in the Delaware Underground Railroad network. In 1845, he assisted the Hawkins family in their escape by giving them […]
The People: Robert Purvis
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 […]
The People: Samuel D. Burris
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 […]
The People: Thomas Garrett
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 […]
Visit & Learn
“Welcome! Come see what HCA has to offer.” Preserving Delaware’s heritage and showcasing the historic legacy of our state are the guiding principles of our agency. Through active historic preservation […]
Visit our museums
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 […]