Delaware’s role in the fight for independence—and how generations have remembered it—is the focus of a compelling new exhibit, Revolutionary Lives: 1776 to Tomorrow, opening at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Delaware Public Archives.

Launching exactly one year before the United States marks its Semiquincentennial, the exhibit explores how Delawareans have shaped, experienced, and commemorated the American Revolution across 250 years. From Continental soldiers and enslaved petitioners to Bicentennial parades and Delaware 250 plans, Revolutionary Lives connects past to present through untold stories and rarely seen records. The opening event will include a reading of the official gubernatorial proclamation recognizing the countdown to July 4, 2026. Guests will be invited to tour the exhibit and reflect on what revolution has meant—and still means—in Delaware.

The exhibit will remain on display at the Delaware Public Archives through July 2026 and is free to the public.

DOVER, Del. –Delaware 250, together with America250, is pleased to announce that two students from Delaware are among seventy-five first place winners nationwide in the 2025 “America’s Field Trip” contest. Grace Sweeten, a ninth-grade student at Sussex Academy in Georgetown, won for her original artwork, Mother of Refuge, and Vivian Wan, a tenth-grade student at Tower Hill School in Wilmington, for her original essay, “The American Mosaic.” Both students will have their works featured in an upcoming exhibit at the Delaware Public Archives.

America’s Field Trip is a nationwide contest inviting students in grades 3–12 to reflect on the question: “What does America mean to you?”​ The 150 America’s Field Trip awardees hail from 41 states and 4 U.S. territories and were selected by a panel of current and former educators.

Thousands of students from all 50 states, 5 U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia submitted writing and artwork to the 2024-2025 America’s Field Trip contest. The seventy-five first-place awardees will embark on field trips to iconic American historical and cultural sites this summer, with seventy-five second-place awardees each receiving a $500 cash award.​ This marks the second group of America’s Field Trip awardees recognized by America250 and follows the successful pilot program launched in 2024.

“It’s an honor for Delaware to have two students recognized as first place winners in the America’s Field Trip contest,” said Margaret Hughes, Director of Delaware 250. “We’re so proud of what Grace and Vivian have accomplished, and grateful to them for sharing their vision of America.”

For a full list of awardees, a selection of winning submissions, and the specific awards, please visit america250.org/fieldtrip/awardees.

“America’s Field Trip is a transformative opportunity for students across the country to engage with our nation’s history in meaningful, lasting ways,” said Rosie Rios, Chair of America250. “Our tentpole programs are intentionally designed to be hands-on, educational, and engaging. America’s Field Trip truly brings the story of America to life and allows a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these students to experience American history and national treasures up-close.”

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About Delaware 250

Delaware 250 is the State’s official entity marking the 250th anniversary of America’s Independence on July 4, 2026. A special project of the Delaware Heritage Commission and the Delaware Public Archives, Delaware 250 seeks to reflect on and celebrate the plurality of histories within the First State and the Nation.

America250:
America250’s mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s Semiquincentennial. We aim to inspire our fellow Americans to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation. America250 will foster shared experiences that spark imagination, showcase the rich tapestry of our American stories, inspire service in our communities, honor the enduring strength, and celebrate the resilience of the United States of America.

America’s Field Trip Contest:
America’s Field Trip Contest is a creative opportunity for students in grades 3-12 to reflect on what America means to them through original artwork or written responses. The contest encourages students from across the U.S. and its territories to share their vision of America’s values, history, and future. Open until April 16th, 2025, this free contest invites students to participate and contribute to the national celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

DE 250 Press Contact:

Catherine Pierce

Catherine.Pierce@delaware.gov

(302) 744-5076

The Delaware Public Archives invites the public to take a closer look at the quirky, curious, and captivating side of Delaware’s history in its new digital exhibit Unusual Treasures. This engaging collection brings together more than two dozen items that reflect the richness of the First State’s archival holdings.

Far from traditional birth certificates and land deeds, Unusual Treasures showcases records that spark curiosity and conversation—from an 1821 Act for imposing a tax on bachelors, to braille-embossed maps, to a Revolutionary-era privateer’s license to plunder. Each item in the exhibit was hand-selected by Archives staff, who chose their personal favorites from across the collections to highlight the diversity and depth of materials preserved by the agency.

The digital exhibit is on display in the Archives lobby and is accompanied by a free booklet featuring photos and descriptions of these remarkable items. The digital exhibit is on display from June until the end of August. The Unusual Treasures booklet is also available online through the Archives’ website.

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For more information about the Delaware Public Archives or to learn more about events and other items of interest at the Archives, visit our website at archives.delaware.gov.

This program will cover the most common records used by genealogists while also exploring lesser-known resources that can be invaluable for those researching their family tree to complete an application for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) or Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). Some of these overlooked resources include Supply Tax records, Journal A, SAR membership applications, and Oaths of Allegiance.

This First Saturday Program is free to the public and will last approximately one hour. No reservations are required. For more information about this presentation, contact archives@delaware.gov.

Presenter: Joseph Sullivan, joe.sullivan@delaware.gov
Location: Delaware Public Archives, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North, Dover, DE 19901

Come early, grab a seat, and journey back to the 18^th century through the records that helped shape our state’s history!

For more information about the Delaware Public Archives or to learn more about events and other items of interest at the Archives, visit our website at archives.delaware.gov.

DOVER, Del. –

Delaware 250 has announced that middle and high school students across Delaware will have the opportunity this June to take part in a Mock Continental Congress, inspired by the Second Continental Congress that convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the summer of 1776. On Friday, June 6, fifty middle and high school students from all three counties will gather at Legislative Hall in Dover, where they will engage first-hand with the historical considerations around American independence. Students were nominated by their teachers for participation in the immersive, day-long educational experience.

“This experience will help students engage with historical thinking and civic engagement,” said Margaret Hughes, Director of Delaware 250. “In the summer of 1776, separation from Great Britain wasn’t a foregone conclusion. By putting themselves in the shoes of the members of the Second Continental Congress, students will be able not only to imagine, but to actively participate in history, civil dialogue, parliamentary procedure, and the complex questions around independence.”

Not only will students engage with historical ideas, but they will do so in a space that is central to Delaware’s democratic process. “We are delighted to welcome students into the historic setting of Legislative Hall in Dover,” said Nicole Worthley, Superintendent of First State Heritage Park. “The idea of First State Heritage Park is that it is an ‘urban park without boundaries,’ so we are excited to get middle and high school students not only learning about history but engaging with this significant space.”

The Mock Continental Congress is a partnership between several Delaware organizations: Delaware 250, the state’s official entity marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence on July 4, 2026; Delaware Historical Society; First State Heritage Park (Delaware State Parks); and Delaware Center for Civics Education at the University of Delaware.

The day will also include presentations by historians Dr. Richard Bell of the University of Maryland and Dr. Emily Sneff, an independent scholar and expert on the Declaration of Independence.

The Mock Continental Congress will take place on Friday, June 6th, from 9:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M, at Legislative Hall in Dover. Delaware 250 and First State Heritage Park are available for advance interviews about this event. For inquiries about interviews or media coverage for the event, please email catherine.pierce@delaware.gov.

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About Delaware 250

Delaware 250 is the State’s official entity marking the 250th anniversary of America’s Independence on July 4, 2026. A special project of the Delaware Heritage Commission and the Delaware Public Archives, Delaware 250 seeks to reflect on and celebrate the plurality of histories within the First State and the Nation.

About First State Heritage Park

First State Heritage Park, one of Delaware’s 17 state parks, is Delaware’s first “urban park without boundaries.” Located in the downtown Dover area, First State Heritage Park brings together Dover’s museums and historic sites into an all-inclusive visitor experience. Visit Delaware’s current and original capitol buildings, explore the Archives, find your new favorite artist, take a walking tour of the Historic Green, step back in time to the 18^th century and interact with living history interpreters, and learn about the history of recorded sound while listing to original records.

About Delaware Historical Society

The Delaware Historical Society is a non-profit organization that preserves, promotes, and shares Delaware’s history to educate, inspire, and empower people and communities. The Delaware Historical Society owns and operates the Delaware History Museum, the Jane and Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage, a nationally recognized Research Library, Old Town Hall, and Willingtown Square in downtown Wilmington, and the National Historic Landmark Read House & Gardens located in New Castle. For more information, visit www.dehistory.org.

The Delaware Center for Civics Education

Since 1999, the Delaware Center for Civics Education (DCCE) has provided resources and support for teaching and learning aligned to Delaware’s civics standards so that preservice and professional educators are well-equipped to prepare their students for college, career, and civic life. Services include curriculum and professional development, author events, and special programming in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Education, Department of Elections, and the Department of State to sponsor Delaware student mock elections and an annual civics education summer institute for Delaware teachers. DCCE is an initiative of the Institute for Public Administration, a research and public service center at the University of Delaware’s Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration.

Press Contact:
Catherine Pierce
Catherine.Pierce@delaware.gov
(302) 744-5076