-Listing of plantation events through October 2015 also included-
(DOVER, Del.—April 21, 2015)—On Saturday, May 2, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Dover Days Festival visitors will have an opportunity to enjoy colonial games, hearth cooking utilizing 18th-century recipes and special tours at the John Dickinson Plantation, located at 340 Kitts Hummock Road in Dover, Del. Admission to the day’s activities is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-739-3277.
Boyhood home and country estate of John Dickinson, one of the founding fathers of the United States, signer of the Constitution and “Penman of the Revolution,” the John Dickinson Plantation features the Dickinson family’s original 1740 brick home, reconstructed farm buildings and a log’d dwelling, surrounded by rich agricultural lands stretching down to the banks of the St. Jones River.
The 81st Annual Dover Days Festival, which will take place from May 1 to 3, 2015, is a weekend-long celebration of the First State’s capital city featuring a wide variety of activities held in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the end of the American Civil War, plus historical re-enactments, parade, maypole dancing, walking tours, pet parade, arts and crafts, carnival rides, music and more. The festival is held on the first full weekend in May on The Green and Legislative Mall, two beautiful outdoor parks in Dover’s historic downtown district. Admission to Dover Days is free and open to the public, and free parking is readily available.
Following is a schedule of John Dickinson Plantation events through October 2015. The property is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Times for special programs are indicated. Admission is free for all events listed. For additional information, call 302-739-3277.
John Dickinson Plantation special events through October 2015
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.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Earth Day at the John Dickinson Plantation. Explore the plantation’s natural beauty, enjoy tours of the colonial-revival garden and create a scented sachet 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Dover Days at the John Dickinson Plantation. Activities include tours, Colonial games and hearth cooking utilizing 18th-century recipes. Part of the Dover Days Festival.
Saturdays, May 9, June 13, July 11, Aug. 8, Sept. 12 and Oct. 10, 2015
Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild. Program explores spinning, weaving, knitting and other fabric arts. 1–3 p.m.
Thursdays, June 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2015
“Thirsty on Thursdays.” Learn how to make cool 18th-century drinks including switchels, lemonade and tea. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2015
“Watercolor Wednesdays.” Explore the hues of the John Dickinson mansion, learn about 18th-century paint colors and paint a scene.11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Thursdays, Sept. 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2015
“Taper Thursdays.” Learn to make your own candle and help the plantation dip 200 candles that John Dickinson would have required from his tenants as part of their leases. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015
“Smoked, Pickled and Salted for Survival.” 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. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 23, 2015
“Lantern Tours of the Plantation.” Programs explore the parties, games, dances and entertainment that would have abounded at the plantation during the nighttime in the 18th century. Activities will also include wagon-ride guided-tours conducted by staff of the St. Jones Reserve exploring the nocturnal life of the estuary. Programs 6–7 p.m. and 7:30–8:30 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations for the tours are required by calling the St. Jones Reserve at 302-739-3436 no later than Oct. 22.
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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