Historical and Cultural Affairs
The historic-preservation and museums newsletter of the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.
Historical and Cultural Affairs is designed to stimulate public interest in the division’s museums, programs and services, and to increase awareness of the value that history and historic preservation bring to the lives of Delaware’s citizens and visitors. The newsletter is distributed during the last week of each month, via e-mail, to division staff members, Delaware’s historical- and preservation-related communities and friends. Please submit relevant articles, news items and suggestions to Jim Yurasek, newsletter editor, at jim.yurasek@state.de.us.
Historical and Cultural Affairs
The historic-preservation and museums newsletter of the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.
Aug. 29, 2016 * Volume 9, Issue 8
News
Native-American heritage to be spotlighted at division museums during September 2016
Programs on Delaware’s Lenape and Nanticoke Indian tribes to be featured.
Lenape fancy dancer. The Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware will be celebrating its heritage with drums, songs and dancing on Sept. 3, 2016.
Free admission beginning Aug. 31, 2016 for “Lost off Lewes: The British warship DeBraak”
Tours explore the surviving hull section of an 18th-century shipwreck.
Division’s exhibit of World War II photographs moves to the Middletown Historical Society
Exhibit features photographs taken by Dover, Del. native William D. Willis from 1943 to 1945.
“Listen Up!”: How About Something Different?
Division’s spoken-word program to explore Native-American themes on Sept. 3, 2016.
Help Save Delaware History
Kara Briggs joins the division staff as an architectural historian
New employee will serve in the State Historic Preservation Office.
Fort Dupont project combines waterfront development with historic preservation
WDDE Radio, Dover, Del.—Aug. 19, 2016
Site originally built for coastal defense during the American Civil War.
Grants for historic preservation
National Park Service now accepting applications for African American Civil Rights Grants.
“Preserving Our Past for a Better Future: Delaware’s Historic Preservation Plan, 2013–2017”
Document provides a roadmap for focusing on the broad goals and needs of Delaware’s preservation community.
Media Roundup
The following Delaware history-related articles have recently appeared in the media:
11 ways you can still savor summer with these lesser-known national parks
Washington Examiner, D.C.—Aug.17, 2016
Article includes information on the First State National Historical Park.
Two new exhibits to open at museum in Middletown
Middletown Transcript, Del.—Aug. 10, 2016
“World War II Through the Lens of William D. Willis: a photographic exhibit” was designed by the division.
Listen Up Delaware
The Delaware Way, KJWP TV, Wilmington, Del.—Aug. 8, 2016
Television segment explores the division’s spoken-word program which is designed to teach young people about Delaware history.
Enlighten Me: Reopening Fort Christina
WDDE Radio, Dover, Del.—July 29, 2016
Park re-opened through partnership between the division, the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation and the First State National Historic Park.
Mended clothing helps mend lives in Delaware
News Journal, Wilmington, Del.—July 16, 2016
Buena Vista Conference Center was a partner in the program.
Articles on Abbott’s Mill
Division leases the historic mill building to the Delaware Nature Society.
Fall Weather Brings Play Back Home
Milford LIVE, Del.—Aug. 21, 2016
Abbott’s Mill Nature Center celebrates 35 years
Delaware State News, Dover, Del.—Aug. 17, 2016
Events
Wednesday, Aug. 31
Weaving Wednesday – John Dickinson Plantation
Wednesdays and Thursdays, Aug. 31; Sept. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29
Lost Off Lewes: Tours of the British Warship DeBraak – Zwaanendael Museum
Saturday, Sept. 3
The First People of the First State: A Lenape Celebration of Heritage – The Green, Dover
Lenape Drums on The Green – The Green, Dover
Battlefield Memorial Ceremony – Pencader Heritage Museum
Trades of the Plantation: Plaster-Casting – John Dickinson Plantation
Saturday, Sept. 3 and Monday, Sept. 5
Man’s Best Friend – Johnson Victrola Museum
Monday, Sept. 5
Labor Day – Johnson Victrola Museum, Old State House, John Dickinson Plantation, New Castle Court House Museum and the Zwaanendael Museum will be open
Post Cards of Dover – The Old State House
The Long Road to Recognition – The Old State House
Wednesday, Sept. 7
Hale-Byrnes Open House – Hale-Byrnes House
Saturday, Sept. 10
Trades of the Plantation: Weaving – John Dickinson Plantation
Delaware State Parks: Time Travelers – The Old State House
Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild – John Dickinson Plantation
Annual Lafayette’s Birthday Party – Hale-Byrnes House
Lighthouse Sunset Cruise – Lewes Harbor
Sunday, Sept. 11
Land Grants in Mill Creek Hundred – Hale-Byrnes House
Wednesday, Sept. 14
1779-1780: War and Politics – New Castle Court House Museum
Saturday, Sept. 17
Trades of the Plantation: Blacksmithing – John Dickinson Plantation
We ARE Still Here! – The Old State House
Running of the Mill – Abbott’s Mill Nature Center
Saturday, Sept. 24
Historic Claymont Tour – Claymont
Trades of the Plantation: Smokehouse – John Dickinson Plantation
Surviving Invasion: The First People of the First State – The Old State House
Songs and Stories: Oral Traditions of Delaware’s Native Peoples – Zwaanendael Museum
For a comprehensive, long-term calendar of division-sponsored events, go here.
Exhibits and displays
Thru Dec. 31, 2016
Wine and Spirits in Delaware: Producing, Preserving, and Presenting – Zwaanendael Museum
Thru mid-April, 2017
The Old State House: A True Restoration 1976-2016 – The Old State House
Thru August 2017
World War II Through the Lens of William D. Willis – Middletown Historical Society
Ongoing
Discovering Delaware’s Maritime Past – Zwaanendael Museum
Emeline Hawkins: Her Journey from Slavery to Freedom on the Underground Railroad – New Castle Court House Museum
Sculpture by Charles Parks – New Castle Court House Museum
A Seaborne Citizenry: The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World – Zwaanendael Museum
Simple Machines – John Dickinson Plantation