Four of the programs will explore the First State’s rich Native-American heritage

The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring 17 special events during the month of September 2013 at the state of Delaware’s six museums (The New Castle Court House Museum, the John Dickinson Plantation, the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, The Old State House, the Johnson Victrola Museum and the Zwaanendael Museum). Four of the events will explore the First State’s rich Native-American heritage including programs on the Lenape and Nanticoke Indian tribes of Delaware. A schedule of all 17 special programs is listed below. For additional information, call 302-744-5055.

According to Nena Todd, site supervisor for the state’s downtown Dover museums, September is a time for Native-American people to return to their homelands. Traditionally, the coming of cooler weather provided a signal for native peoples to transition from their summer hunting and fishing grounds to more secure winter lodging. This tradition of seasonal travel continues in today’s Native-American communities with September serving as a time when families come together and communities celebrate their heritage. One of Delaware’s most well-known Native-American celebrations is the annual Nanticoke Indian Pow-Wow that will take place this year on Sept. 7 and 8. 

Administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the museums of the state of Delaware tell the story of Delaware’s contributions to the history and culture of the United States. Through displays, exhibits and special programs, the museums explore how the state’s distinctive physical environment, in combination with the people who came to live there, gave Delaware an identity that is different from any other place.

Special events at the museums of the state of Delaware, September 2013

Monday, Sept. 2, 2013
“Labor Day.” Guided tours will explore the craftsmen and workers who built Delaware’s historic Old State House in 1791. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE19901. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055.

Monday, Sept. 2, 2013
“The Star Spangled Banner: Then and Now.” Guided tours examine the development of America’s national anthem through time with original recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover, DE19901. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055.

Monday, Sept. 2, 2013
“Imagine That.” Utilizing the exhibit “Dealing in Symbols: Profundity and the Human Figure” as a backdrop, guided tours will explore the life and work of the noted Wilmington sculptor Charles Parks and his contributions to American art. Visitors will have an opportunity to create an interactive sculpture as an element of the tour. First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, Delaware Public Archives building, 121 Duke of York St., Dover, DE 19901. Tours at 10 a.m., Noon and 2 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055.

Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013
“Latin Music.” Guided tours explore the early Spanish language and Latin-American recordings of the Victor Talking Machine Company played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover, DE19901. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055.

Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013
“Imagine That.” Utilizing the exhibit “Dealing in Symbols: Profundity and the Human Figure” as a backdrop, guided tours will explore the life and work of the noted Wilmington sculptor Charles Parks and his contributions to American art. Visitors will have an opportunity to create an interactive sculpture as an element of the tour. First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, Delaware Public Archives building, 121 Duke of York St., Dover, DE 19901. Tours at 10 a.m., Noon and 2 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055.

Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013
Native-American heritage program
“The Cheswold Airport Archaeological Site.” First Saturday in the First State program features archaeologist Wade Catts of John Milner and Associates discussing the Native American archeological site at the Delaware Airpark in Cheswold that dates to 7,000 B.C. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE 19901. Program at 1 p.m.Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055.

Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013
“Capital Cities and Capitol Buildings of the United States: 1774-1825.” Historic-site interpreter Bob Vander Decker will discuss the many capital cities and capitol buildings of the United States government during the American Revolution, Articles of Confederation and early years of the Constitution. The nation’s capital city moved often in support of, and in response to, the current events and activities of the British military. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, DE19720. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 1:30–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-323-4453.

Monday, Sept. 9, 2013
Lecture/tour of His Majesty’s Sloop DeBraak. Explore the history of the DeBraak which was capsized and lost off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798. Program includes a trip to the hull facility in nearby Cape Henlopen State Park for a curator-led tour of the surviving section of the ship’s hull. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958. Programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Limited seating. Admission $10 in advance by reservation only at http://shop.delaware.gov/. For additional information, call 302-645-1148.

Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013
Native-American heritage program
“The First People of the First State: A Lenape Celebration of Heritage.” Second annual celebration featuring the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware as they honor mother earth and Native-American culture with dancing and demonstrations. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE19901. Program 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055.

Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013
Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild. Program explores spinning, weaving, knitting and other fabric arts. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE19901. Program 1–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-739-3277.

Monday, Sept. 16, 2013
Lecture/tour of His Majesty’s Sloop DeBraak. Explore the history of the DeBraak which was capsized and lost off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798. Program includes a trip to the hull facility in nearby Cape Henlopen State Park for a curator-led tour of the surviving section of the ship’s hull. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958. Programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Limited seating. Admission $10 in advance by reservation only at http://shop.delaware.gov/. For additional information, call 302-645-1148.

Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013
“Hearth Cooking Basics.” Hands-on workshop exploring basic hearth-cooking techniques. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE19901. Program 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-739-3277.

Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013
Native-American heritage program
“The First People of the First State: Three Points of View.” Elected Chief Dennis Coker of the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware and archaeologists Wade Catts and Cara Blume discuss the history and recent achievements of the Lenape community of central Delaware. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE19901. Program at 1 p.m.Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055.

Monday, Sept. 23, 2013
Lecture/tour of His Majesty’s Sloop DeBraak. Explore the history of the DeBraak which was capsized and lost off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798. Program includes a trip to the hull facility in nearby Cape Henlopen State Park for a curator-led tour of the surviving section of the ship’s hull. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958. Programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Limited seating. Admission $10 in advance by reservation only at http://shop.delaware.gov/. For additional information, call 302-645-1148.

Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013
“Smoked, Pickled and Salted for Survival.” From 11 a.m.–2:30, learn how smoked, pickled and salted meats helped stretch food reserves in the winter, and participate in pickling meats with brine and smoking meats in the plantation’s smokehouse. In addition, join the John Dickinson Plantation in celebration of the St. Jones Reserve’s “Arts in the Estuary” program from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE 19901. Museum open 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-739-3277.

Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013
Native-American heritage program
“Nanticoke.” Lecture by Sterling Street, museum coordinator for the Nanticoke Indian Museum in Millsboro, Del., on the history of the Nanticoke tribe and its museum. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE19958. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-645-1148.

Monday, Sept. 30, 2013
Lecture/tour of His Majesty’s Sloop DeBraak. Explore the history of the DeBraak which was capsized and lost off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798. Program includes a trip to the hull facility in nearby Cape Henlopen State Park for a curator-led tour of the surviving section of the ship’s hull. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958. Programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Limited seating. Admission $10 in advance by reservation only at http://shop.delaware.gov/. For additional information, call 302-645-1148.

Exhibits at the museums of the state of Delaware, September 2013
In addition to special programming, the museums of the state of Delaware are currently presenting the following exhibits:

Thru Sept. 22, 2013
“Dealing in Symbols: Profundity and the Human Figure.” Exhibit of works by noted Wilmington sculptor Charles Parks from the collections of the state of Delaware. First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, Delaware Public Archives building, 121 Duke of York St., Dover, DE 19901. Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30-4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055.

Thru Sept. 22, 2013
“USS Delaware: An American Battleship.” The story of the USS Delaware (1909-1924), told through objects, photographs and ceremonial silver. First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, Delaware Public Archives building, 121 Duke of York St., Dover, DE 19901. Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30-4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055.

Ongoing
“Archaeology of the New Castle Court House.” The exhibit highlights the many phases of archaeological investigations at the New Castle Court House including artifacts representing over 300 years of continuous use of the building. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, DE19720. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-323-4453.

Ongoing
“Delaware and the War of 1812.” Exhibit examines the service and sacrifice of Delawareans of 1812 to 1815, and the important role that the state played in a conflict that helped shaped the development of the United States. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE19958. Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. from April 1–Oct. 31. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. from Nov. 1–March 31. Free admission. 302-645-1148.

Ongoing
“Emeline Hawkins: Her Journey From Slavery to Freedom on the Underground Railroad.”
Exhibit chronicles the compelling story of Emeline Hawkins and her family and their 1845 odyssey on the Underground Railroad from slavery in Maryland, through Delaware to freedom in Pennsylvania. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, DE19720. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-323-4453.

Ongoing
“A Seaborne Citizenry: The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World.” Exhibit utilizes artifacts recovered from His Majesty’s Sloop of War DeBraak, a British warship that sank off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798 to tell the story of the vessel, its crew and the historical context within which it operated in the Atlantic World of the late 18th century. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE19958. Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. from April 1–Oct. 31. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. from Nov. 1–March 31. Free admission. 302-645-1148.

Ongoing
“Simple Machines.” Exhibit demonstrating the six “simple machines”—incline ramp, screw, wedge, pulley, lever and wheel —that constitute the elementary building blocks of which all complicated machines are composed. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE19901. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-739-3277.

 -End-

Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone:  302-736-7413
E-mail:  Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web:   http://history.delaware.gov

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