(DOVER, Del.—March 31, 2015)—The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring 13 special programs during April 2015 at sites in downtown Dover, Del. including The Old State House, the Johnson Victrola Museum and the Dover Public Library. All programs are free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-744-5055.

Highlights include four programs presented as part of the History Coffee-Hour Series that will be held between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. on selected Thursdays at The Old State House located at 25 The Green. Programs, in which complimentary coffee will be available for those in attendance, include “Play That Old-Time Country Music,” a musical presentation on Victor Records’ early recordings of country music on April 2; “The Exploits of Allen McLane,” a living-history theatrical performance by museum historical-interpreter Tom Welch portraying Delaware’s Revolutionary War hero Allen McLane on April 9; “The Doctor Is In,” a living-history theatrical performance by museum historical interpreter Dennis Fisher exploring the life and times of Dr. James Sykes, an 18th to 19th-century Dover physician, on April 16; and “Women’s Words: Delaware’s Civil War Diarists,” a presentation that will bring to life the Civil-War-era diaries of Delawareans Elizabeth Dorsey and Anna Ferris on April 23.

Additional April highlights include “ ‘Over There’: How Victor’s Musical Industry Influenced the Nation During World War I,” a two-part program on Friday, April 17 that begins at 7 p.m. with a lecture on the contributions of the Victor Talking Machine Company to the war effort to be presented at the Dover Public Library located at 35 Loockerman Plaza, followed by a presentation at the Johnson Victrola Museum on Victor’s World War I era recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines.

Finally, historical interpreters from the American Historical Theatre will perform at The Old State House on Sunday, April 26 at 1 p.m. when Robert Gleason portrays President Abraham Lincoln; and Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m. when Pat Jordan portrays “Little Women” author Louisa May Alcott.

A complete listing of the division’s downtown Dover programs during April 2015 is provided below. All events are free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-744-5055.

Division-sponsored programs in downtown Dover during April 2015

Thursday, April 2, 2015
“Play That Old-Time Country Music.” Musical program on Victor Records’ early recordings of country music, accompanied by 78-rpm recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines Part of the History Coffee-Hour Lecture Series. The Old State House, 25 The Green. 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 4, 2015
“1904 Fire at the Camden Plant.” Guided tours focus on the fire that devastated the Victor Talking Machine Company’s Camden, N.J. plant in 1904, and the changes in safety and manufacturing that resulted from the tragedy. Tours will also feature a special blend of vintage recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 4, 2014
“Delaware Poetry: JoAnn Balingit, Poet Laureate of Delaware.” In celebration of National Poetry Month, Delaware’s poet laureate will discuss her passion and read some of her poetry. The program will also feature poets Lucian Mattison and Linda Blaskey and a panel discussion entitled “Poetry: The Language of Home.” First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green. Program at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 9, 2015
“Bells Across the Land: A Nation Remembers Appomattox.” Bells across Delaware including Dover’s Presbyterian and Wesley United Methodist churches, John Bell House (hand bell), Kent County Courthouse, Legislative Mall’s Liberty Bell and The Old State House will ring in commemoration of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox in 1865. 3:15 p.m.

Thursday, April 9, 2015
“Sharing Delaware History: The Exploits of Allen McLane.” Living-history theatrical performance by museum historical-interpreter Tom Welch portraying Delaware’s Revolutionary War hero Allen McLane who will discuss his many intelligence-gathering activities during the conflict. Part of the History Coffee-Hour Lecture Series. The Old State House, 25 The Green. 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 16, 2015
“The Doctor Is In.” Living-history theatrical performance by Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs historical interpreter Dennis Fisher exploring the life and times of Dr. James Sykes, an 18th to 19th-century Dover physician and statesman who served as Delaware’s governor for a short period. Part of the History Coffee-Hour Lecture Series. The Old State House, 25 The Green. 5:30 p.m.

Friday, April 17, 2015
“ ‘Over There’: How Victor’s Musical Industry Influenced the Nation During World War I.” Two-part program begins with a lecture on the contributions of the Victor Talking Machine Company to the war effort to be presented at the Dover Public Library, followed by a presentation at the Johnson Victrola Museum on Victor’s World War I era recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Partnership between the library and the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. Program begins at 7 p.m. at the Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza.

Saturday, April 18, 2014
“The Spring Storm: A Celebration of  Spoken Word.” National Poetry Month program featuring Delaware’s own Spoken-Word artists—Amillion the Poet, SuiteFranchon, Gemele and the Twin Poets; plus a special presentation by Hannah Sturgis, Delaware’s winner of the 2015 Poetry Out Loud contest. The Spoken-Word genre utilizes performance-based poetry focusing on the aesthetics of word play and story-telling. Partnership between the divisions of the Arts, and Historical and Cultural Affairs. 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.

Saturday, April 18, 2015
“The Story of Dinah.” Program explores the life and craft of Dinah Patten, an accomplished spinner and enslaved person owned by the John Dickinson family. A hands-on activity will accompany the program in which the audience learns how to prepare wool for spinning. Partnership between the Dover Public Library and the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza. 2 p.m.

Thursday, April 23, 2015
“Women’s Words: Delaware’s Civil War Diarists.” Lecture brings to life the Civil-War-era diaries of Delawareans Elizabeth Dorsey and Anna Ferris. Part of the History Coffee-Hour Lecture Series. The Old State House, 25 The Green. 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 26, 2015
“Abraham Lincoln.” Living-history performance in which Robert Gleason of the American Historical Theatre portrays President Abraham Lincoln. The Old State House, 25 The Green. Program at 1 p.m. Museum open 12:30–4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015
“Governor Ross of Delaware: Southern Sympathizer.” Claudia Leister, director of the Milford Museum will discuss the events and attitudes of the 19th-century Delaware governor. The Old State House, 25 The Green. 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 30, 2015
“Louisa May Alcott.” Living-history performance in which Pat Jordan of the American Historical Theatre portrays the American novelist Louisa May Alcott, best known for her book “Little Women.” Part of the Dover Days Festival. The Old State House, 25 The Green. 7 p.m.

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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

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