During the month of January 2014, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be offering 10 special programs at the state of Delaware’s six museums. A full schedule of events is listed below. All programs are free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-744-5055.
Highlights of the month include “Civil Rights: A Dream Deferred: The Past to the Present” on Saturday, Jan 18, 2014 at 1 p.m. at The Old State House located at 25 The Green, in Dover, Del. Presented by Dr. James Newton, University of Delaware professor emeritus of Black American Studies, the program will include a screening of the 2007 documentary film “A Dream Deferred: Remembering the 1968 Occupation” which depicts the rioting that took place in Wilmington, Del. after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the subsequent nine-month occupation of the city by the National Guard. Issues to be discussed include economic equality, poverty, discrimination, housing, education and urban development.
On Sunday, Jan. 5, at 2 p.m., The Old State House will present “In Order to Prevent a Continuance of Slavery,” a program by Gloria Henry, site supervisor of Dover’s John Dickinson Plantation, who will utilize primary-source materials including manumission documents, bills of sales and family information to illustrate the lives of slaves who lived and worked on the estate of John Dickinson, one of the founding fathers of the United States and “Penman of the Revolution.”
Finally, on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014 at 2 p.m., the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, Del., will offer “Delaware’s Decades—the 1940s: ‘Ft. Miles’,” a lecture on the World-War-II-era military installation on Cape Henlopen presented by Dr. Gary Wray, president of the Fort Miles Historical Association.
Administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the six museums of the state of Delaware—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—tell the story of the First State’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, January 2014
Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014
“In Order to Prevent a Continuance of Slavery.” Program by Gloria Henry, site supervisor of the John Dickinson Plantation, who will utilize primary-source materials including manumission documents, bills of sales and family information to illustrate the lives of slaves who lived and worked on the estate of John Dickinson, one of the founding fathers of the United States and “Penman of the Revolution.” The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.
Wednesdays, Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2014
“Weaving Wednesdays.” Indoor, staff-led program in which visitors will learn how to weave a blanket or rag rug. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.
Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014
Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild. Program explores spinning, weaving, knitting and other fabric arts. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 1–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.
Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014
“Protest Music.” Guided tours examine the roots of protest music through original recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055. (Note: Program rescheduled from Jan. 4, 2014.)
Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014
“An Illegal Activity.” Utilizing the exhibit “An Illegal Activity: The Underground Railroad in Delaware” as a backdrop, guided tours will explore Delaware’s crucial role in the Underground Railroad and on two Delaware leaders who aided in this “freedom enterprise.” First Saturday in the First State program. First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, Delaware Public Archives building, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dover. Tours at 10 a.m., Noon and 2 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055. (Note: Program rescheduled from Jan. 4, 2014.)
Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014
“Civil Rights: A Dream Deferred: The Past to the Present.” Presentation by Dr. James Newton, University of Delaware professor emeritus of Black American Studies. Program will include a screening of the 2007 documentary film “A Dream Deferred: Remembering the 1968 Occupation” which depicts the rioting that took place in Wilmington, Del. after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the subsequent nine-month occupation of the city by the National Guard. First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055. (Note: Program rescheduled from Jan. 4, 2014.)
Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014
“Delaware’s Decades—the 1940s: ‘Ft. Miles.’ ” Lecture by Dr. Gary Wray on the World War II-era military installation on Cape Henlopen. Part two of an eight-part series exploring decades in Delaware’s history. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.
Exhibits at the museums of the state of Delaware, January 2014
In addition to special programming, the museums of the state of Delaware are presenting the following exhibits:
Thru Summer 2014
“An Illegal Activity: The Underground Railroad in Delaware.” Exhibit explores the First State’s role in the Underground Railroad by showcasing Thomas Garrett and Samuel D. Burris and the actions they took in following their consciences rather than the law. Presented in partnership with the Underground Railroad Coalition of Delaware. First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, Delaware Public Archives building, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dover. Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30-4:30 p.m. 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. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 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. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. from Nov. 1–March 31. Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. from April 1–Oct. 31. 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. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. 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. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. from Nov. 1–March 31. Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. from April 1–Oct. 31. 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. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.
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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