(DOVER, Del. — Nov. 17, 2021) — The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring six special events between Nov. 20, 2021 and Jan. 1, 2022. A full schedule is included below. All programs are free and open to the public. However, in order to keep everyone safe in keeping with CDC recommendations, face masks are required inside all museum buildings for people over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status.

Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021
Bayberry candle workshop. Program examines bayberries and their use in creating bayberry candles. Presented in partnership with the St. Jones Reserve. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Workshop 1:30–3:30 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Registration is currently near capacity. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations required by calling 302-739-3277.

Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021
Thanksgiving Day. All museums of the State of Delaware (the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum) will be closed. 302-744-5054.

Friday, Nov. 26, 2021
Day After Thanksgiving. All museums of the State of Delaware (the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum) will be open. 302-744-5054.

Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021
“Hospitality Night.” Holiday-themed program in which the museum will be decorated for the season by the Sussex Gardeners. Activities will include “Well Seasoned Dutch Cookery,” a culinary demonstration in which visitors can learn historical cooking techniques and take recipes and spices home to try. Presented in partnership with the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 5–8 p.m. 302-645-1148 or mailto:zmuseum@delaware.gov.

Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021
“A Very Victor Holiday.” Spend the holidays with the Victor Talking Machine Company while painting holiday decorations, listening to original 78 rpm holiday music recordings on authentic Victor Talking Machines, discovering 1920s holiday traditions, and meeting a 1920s Santa Claus who will be visiting the Dover Salesroom. Visitors are invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate for the museum’s Toys for Tots initiative. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. 302-739-3262 or mailto:jvmuseum@Delaware.gov.

Saturday, Dec. 4 2021
“Tour Zwaanendael Museum.” Enjoy the museum’s festive holiday-décor created by the Sussex Gardeners. Event held in conjunction with the Lewes Historical Society’s Christmas Tour of Lewes. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 302-645-1148 or mailto:zmuseum@delaware.gov.

Friday, Dec. 10, 2021
Concert by the Knotty G’s. Soul-soaked mountain music. Presented in partnership with the Delaware Friends of Folk and the First State Heritage Park. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 7:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021
“Spirit of Christmas in New Castle.” One of the best preserved Colonial-era towns in America features a day-long series of events including tours of decorated historic homes, re-enactments, programs at museums including the New Castle Court House Museum, crafts, musical entertainment and more. Downtown New Castle. 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. 302-328-3279.

Friday, Dec. 24, 2021
Christmas Eve. All museums of the State of Delaware (the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum) will be closed. 302-744-5054.

Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021
Christmas Day. All museums of the State of Delaware (the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum) will be closed. 302-744-5054.

Friday, Dec. 31, 2021
New Year’s Eve. All museums of the State of Delaware (the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum) will be closed. 302-744-5054.

Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022
New Year’s Day. All museums of the State of Delaware (the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum) will be closed. 302-744-5054.

Administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the five museums of the State of Delaware—the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum—tell the story of the First State’s contributions to the history and culture of the United States. Through tours, exhibits, and special programs, the museums shine a spotlight on Delaware’s unique history and the diverse people who came to live there. The museums are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The New Castle Court House Museum and the John Dickinson Plantation are partner sites of the First State National Historical Park. The Old State House is located on the Dover Green, another partner site of the park. Go to the following for a long-term calendar of division-sponsored events.

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, 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.

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Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone: 302-577-5170
E-mail: Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web: http://history.delaware.gov

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