(DOVER, Del.—June 26, 2017)—During the month of July 2017, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring 23 special programs at sites across the state. A full schedule is included below. Except where noted, all programs are free and open to the public.

Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs special events, July 2017

Saturday July 1, 2017
Johnson Victrola Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration: A Marching Band’s Tale. In observance of Independence Day, the museum will present “John Philip Sousa: Stars and Stripes,” guided tours that explore patriotic music recorded by John Philip Sousa and other Victor artists accompanied by 78-rpm records played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Part of a series of programs celebrating the museum’s creation in 1967. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Saturday July 1, 2017
“Independence Day.” Screening of the film “Thunder and Rain” about Caesar Rodney’s historic ride to Philadelphia to break the tie for the Declaration of Independence. First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Film screenings at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Tuesday, July 4, 2017
Independence Day. All museums of the State of Delaware will be open: The Johnson Victrola Museum, open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; The Old State House, open 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; the John Dickinson Plantation, New Castle Court House Museum and the Zwaanendael Museum, open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Tuesday, July 4, 2017
Johnson Victrola Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration: A Marching Band’s Tale. In observance of Independence Day, the museum will present “John Philip Sousa: Stars and Stripes,” guided tours that explore patriotic music recorded by John Philip Sousa and other Victor artists accompanied by 78-rpm records played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Part of a series of programs celebrating the museum’s creation in 1967. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Tuesday, July 4, 2017
“Independence Day.” Screenings at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. of “Thunder and Rain,” a film about Caesar Rodney’s historic ride for independence. At 2 and 4 p.m., the bell of The Old State House will ring in celebration of the nation’s birthday, followed immediately by site interpreters, dressed in period clothing, who will recite the Declaration of Independence aloud from the spot where the document was first read to the citizens of Dover in 1776. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Museum open 9 a.m.–6 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Tuesday–Saturday, July 4–8, 2017
“Quill Pen Week.” Drop-in program in celebration of Independence Day provides instruction in quill-pen writing so that visitors can learn how to write like a “signer.” John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Activities 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Wednesdays, July 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2017
“Lost Off Lewes: The British Warship DeBraak.” Special tour explores the 18th-century history, artifacts and the surviving hull section of this shipwreck. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 9 a.m. Limited seating. Admission $10 (cash or check only). For reservations, e-mail hca_zmevents@delaware.gov or call 302-645-1148.

Saturday, July 8, 2017
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.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Friday, July 14, 2017
“The Golden Age of Jazz.” Screenings of Ken Burns’ documentary “Jazz.” Episode one, “Gumbo,” at 10:30 a.m. Episode two, “The Gift,” at Noon. Episode three, “Our Language,” at 2 p.m. Episode four, “The True Welcome,” at 4 p.m. Episode five, “Pure Pleasure,” at 6 p.m. Presented in partnership with the “Johnson Victrola Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration: A Jazz Tale,” a component of a series of programs celebrating the museum’s creation in 1967. Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover. 302-736-7030.

Friday, July 14, 2017
Johnson Victrola Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration: A Jazz Tale. Lecture at 11 a.m.—“Duke Ellington and Rosedale Beach”—explores the history of the popular waterfront resort run by, and for, people of color which featured internationally renowned performers. Lecture at 1 p.m.—“Fats Waller”—explores the life and achievements of the noted jazz musician, accompanied by 78-rpm recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Lectures part of a series of programs celebrating the museum’s creation in 1967. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. Lectures in the museum’s 2nd floor gallery (entry via staircase; no elevator). Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required for the lectures by calling 302-739-3262. Museum also open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. featuring tours exploring the history of jazz.

Saturday, July 15, 2017
“The Golden Age of Jazz.” Screening of the following jazz-themed films: “Jazz on a Summer’s Day” about the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival at 10:30 a.m. Episode six, “Swing, the Victory of Celebration,” from Ken Burns’ documentary “Jazz” at 10:30 a.m. “Let’s Get Lost” about trumpeter Chet Baker at Noon. Episode seven, “Dedicated to Chaos,” from Burns’ “Jazz” at 12:30 p.m. Spike Lee’s “Mo’ Better Blues” at 2 p.m. Episode eight, “Risk,” from Burns’ “Jazz” at 2:30 p.m. Presented in partnership with the “Johnson Victrola Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration: A Jazz Tale,” a component of a series of programs celebrating the museum’s creation in 1967. Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover. 302-736-7030.

Saturday, July 15, 2017
Johnson Victrola Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration: A Jazz Tale. Lecture at 11 a.m.—“All That Jazz”— explores the origins of jazz music, its early pioneers and the contributions made to the art form by Victor Records, accompanied by 78-rpm recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. At 1 p.m. a musical ensemble from DonDel Enterprises will present “All That Jazz: From the Beginning” featuring songs and dances from the early days of jazz. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. Lecture and performance in the museum’s 2nd floor gallery (entry via staircase; no elevator). Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required for the special programs by calling 302-739-3262. Museum also open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. featuring tours exploring the history of jazz.

Sunday, July 16, 2017
“The Golden Age of Jazz.” Screening of the following jazz-themed films: Episode nine, “The Adventure,” from Ken Burns’ documentary “Jazz” at 1 p.m. “What Happened, Miss Simone?” about singer Nina Simone at 1:30 p.m. Episode 10, “A Masterpiece at Midnight,” from Burns’ “Jazz” at 3 p.m. “Miles Ahead” about trumpeter Miles Davis at 3:15 p.m. Presented in partnership with the “Johnson Victrola Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration: A Jazz Tale,” a component of a series of programs celebrating the museum’s creation in 1967. Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover. 302-736-7030.

Saturday, July 22, 2017
Delaware State University Summer Bridge Service Project Day. History-related activities presented by Delaware State University students as part of the school’s Jumpstart Program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. Program 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Saturday, July 22, 2017
Delaware State University Summer Bridge Service Project Day. History-related activities presented by Delaware State University students as part of the school’s Jumpstart Program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Saturday, July 22, 2017
Delaware State University Summer Bridge Service Project Day. History-related activities presented by Delaware State University students as part of the school’s Jumpstart Program. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Saturday, July 22, 2017
Second annual “Movie Night on the Lawn.” Screening of the Disney film “Moana” plus live music, food trucks, lawn games and a photo booth. Luau themed attire is welcomed. Buena Vista Conference Center, 661 S. Dupont Highway (Route 13), New Castle. Activities begin at 6 p.m. Film begins at 8:30 p.m. 302-323-4430.

Exhibits and displays, June 2017
In addition to special programming, the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is sponsoring the following exhibits and displays:

Thru August 2017
“World War II Through the Lens of William D. Willis.” Designed by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the exhibit features photographs taken by Dover, Del. native William D. Willis during World War II. From the collections of the State of Delaware. Middletown Historical Society, 216 N. Broad St., Middletown. Fri., 9 a.m.–3 p.m. First Sat. of each month, 9 a.m.–Noon. Third Wed. of each month, Noon–4 p.m. Other times by appointment. Free admission but call 302-378-7466 before planning a visit.

Thru Dec. 31, 2017
“Rose Color to Gold to Glowing Red: Orville and Ethel Peets in Paris 1913-1914.” Exhibit featuring paintings and painting materials used by the noted Delaware artists Orville Houghton Peets and Ethel Canby Peets. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. April 1–Oct. 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. Nov. 1–March 31: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.

Ongoing
“Drawing America to Victory: The Persuasive Power of the Arts in World War I.” Online exhibit revolves around 27 World War I posters from the collections of the State of Delaware.

Ongoing
“Discovering Delaware’s Maritime Past.” Display explores the DeBraak, a shipwrecked 18th-century British warship including a photo of the hull recovery, reproductions of items aboard ship, and a model of the vessel. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. April 1–Oct. 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. Nov. 1–March 31: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 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. Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.

Ongoing
“Five Stories.” Display explores the varied lives of people who lived on the plantation including Dickinson family members, tenant farmers, tradesmen, free blacks, indentured servants and enslaved individuals. John Dickinson Plantation Welcome Center, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. April 1–Sept. 30: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. Oct. 1–March 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Ongoing
“The Old State House: A True Restoration 1976-2016.” Display explores preservation work that has been conducted since Delaware’s first state capitol building was restored to its original appearance in 1976. From the collections of the State of Delaware. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Mon.–Sat., 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

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. April 1–Oct. 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. Nov. 1–March 31: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.

Ongoing
Sculpture by Charles Parks. Display of works by the noted Wilmington artist featuring historical and political figures including a Minute Man, and presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and George W. Bush. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.

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 many more-complicated machines are composed. John Dickinson Plantation Welcome Center, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. April 1–Sept. 30: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. Oct. 1–March 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 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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