(DOVER, Del.—May 4, 2020)—Responding to COVID-19 has meant changes for everyone that have impacted virtually all aspects of daily life, and Delaware’s historic sites, museums and cultural resources are no exception.
On April 27, 2020, the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs launched a new, creative platform for Delawareans to continue to engage with the history of the First State and enrich their understanding of its people, places, events and artifacts.
The new Delaware Digital History Museum (https://history.delaware.gov/delaware-digital-history-museum/), available on the division’s website, provides a wide variety of electronic opportunities to experience Delaware history at home.
“Even though folks can’t visit our State museums right now, the division’s team of historians, interpreters and conservators are still on the job and working to fulfill our mission of preserving Delaware’s heritage and showcasing our state’s historical legacy,” said division Director Tim Slavin. “We hope that the Delaware Digital History Museum offers a new way for Delawareans to interact with our shared history and learn from it.”
The online museum showcases items from the State’s collections of art and objects, as well as digital exhibits, virtual tours of museums and historic sites, and videos and images of historic landmarks and architecture.
The new portal also includes a collection of “Museum From Home” learning activities for school-age children, designed by the division’s museum- and educational-staff.
In addition, the Digital Museum is supplemented by regular social media updates from the division’s five museum sites.
John Dickinson Plantation, Dover
Web: https://history.delaware.gov/jdp_main/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDickinsonPlantation
Johnson Victrola Museum, Dover
Web: https://history.delaware.gov/jvm_main/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnsonVictrolaMuseum
New Castle Court House Museum
Web: https://history.delaware.gov/ncch_main/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewCastleCourtHouse
The Old State House, Dover
Zwaanendael Museum, Lewes
Web: https://history.delaware.gov/zm_main/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zwaanendael
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zwaanendaelmuseum/
The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is an agency of the State of Delaware. The division enhances Delaware’s quality of life by preserving the state’s unique historical heritage, fostering community stability and economic vitality and providing educational programs and assistance to the general public on Delaware history. The division’s diverse array of services includes operation of five museums which are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, administration of the State Historic Preservation Office, conservation of the state’s archaeological and historic-objects collections, operation of a conference center and management of historic properties across the state. Primary funding for division programs and services is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, a federal agency. However, the contents and opinions expressed in the division’s programs and services do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Department of the Interior.