(DOVER, Del.—Dec. 18, 2015)—The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be hosting 12 special events during the month of January 2016 at the museums of the state of Delaware. A full schedule is included below. All programs are free and open to the public.
Highlights of the month include “Fiber Arts Fridays,” a four-part series of programs taking place between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29 at the John Dickinson Plantation, located at 340 Kitts Hummock Road in Dover. During each week of the series, visitors will have an opportunity to learn about a different fiber-arts discipline including weaving, spinning and knitting.
On Saturday, Jan. 2 at 1 p.m., The Old State House, located 25 The Green in Dover, will present “Tales Tombstones Tell,” in which storyteller Ed Okonowicz examines the rich history found on grave markers in Delaware. The day’s activities will also include guided tours of the display “Delaware Mourns Lincoln: A Demonstration of Love and Sorrow.”
Finally, on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m., the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, will present “I Cannot Tell a Lie, It was Almost a Big Blue: Historic Preservation and Archaeology at Ferry Farm, George Washington’s Boyhood Home,” a lecture by Paul Nasca, Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ curator of archaeology, on Preservation Through Archaeology and the actions taken in Virginia that impacted the historic preservation of one of the nation’s iconic places. The program is presented as part of the division’s celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Admission to the lecture is free but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Jan. 15, 2016.
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 displays, exhibits and special programs, the museums explore how the state’s distinctive physical environment, in combination with the people who came to live there, gave Delaware an identity that is different from any other place. Go to the following for a comprehensive, long-term calendar of museum events.
Special events at the museums of the state of Delaware, January 2016
Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016
“Music to Pray To; Music to Rejoice To.” Hear original 78rpm recordings of inspirational music played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. 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, Jan. 2, 2016
“Tales Tombstones Tell.” Storyteller Ed Okonowicz examines the rich history found on grave markers in Delaware. The day’s activities will also include guided tours of the display “Delaware Mourns Lincoln: A Demonstration of Love and Sorrow.” First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Storytelling at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.
Fridays, Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2016
“Fiber Arts Fridays.” Four-part series in which visitors will learn about a different fiber-art each week including weaving, spinning, knitting and other fabric arts. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 11–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-739-3277.
Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016
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.
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016
“The Founding of America in One Year.” Lecture by historical interpreter Bob Vander Decker. Part one of a year-long series that examines important local and national events that led to the founding of the United States. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. 7 p.m. 302-323-4453.
Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016
“Preservation 50—‘I Cannot Tell a Lie, It was Almost a Big Blue: Historic Preservation and Archaeology at Ferry Farm, George Washington’s Boyhood Home.’ ” Lecture by Paul Nasca, Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ curator of archaeology, on Preservation Through Archaeology and the actions taken in Virginia that impacted the historic preservation of one of the nation’s iconic places. Presented in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Program 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Jan. 15, 2016.
Monday, Jan. 18, 2016
“Courage and Freedom.” In commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, guided tours will focus on three compelling stories of courageous Delawareans whose fight for freedom and equality began at the Old State House. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.
Monday, Jan. 18, 2016
“The Struggle.” In commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, guided tours focus on African-American vocalists and Civil Rights activists Paul Robeson and Marian Anderson, accompanied by 78rpm recordings of those artists played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.
Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016
“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Historical Perspective.” Screening of the 2002 documentary film that explores King’s life and the development of his philosophies, set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. 7 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are recommended by calling 302-323-4453.
Exhibits and displays, January 2016
In addition to special programming, the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is sponsoring the following exhibits and displays:
Ongoing
“Delaware and the War of 1812.” Exhibit examines the service and sacrifice of Delawareans of 1812 to 1815, and the important role that the state played in a conflict that helped shaped the development of the United States. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Nov. 1–March 31: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. April 1–Oct. 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.
Ongoing
“Delaware Mourns Lincoln: A Demonstration of Love and Sorrow.” Utilizing graphics, clothing and memorabilia, the display explores how Delawareans expressed their deep sorrow upon the death of President Abraham Lincoln on April 15, 1865. 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
“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. Nov. 1–March 31: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. April 1–Oct. 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 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
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
“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. Nov. 1–March 31: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. April 1–Oct. 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.
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, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Oct. 1–March 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. April 1–Sept. 30: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.
Ongoing
“World War II Through the Lens of William D. Willis.” Designed by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the display features photographs taken in Western Europe from 1943-45. From the collections of the state of Delaware. Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Ave., Dover. Limited visitation hours; call 302-739-9194 before planning a visit.
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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