(DOVER, Del.—April 16, 2015)—The First State’s essential relationship with the Delaware River and Bay, and the sea, will be brought to life during the 17th annual Chautauqua tent show, “Discovering Delaware’s Maritime Past,” that will take place at a variety of downtown Lewes, Del. locations from June 21 to 25, 2015. A preliminary schedule of events is attached. Admission is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-645-1148 or visit the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs website.

A unique mixture of education and entertainment, Lewes’ Chautauqua will be held under a large tent and will feature re-enactors who take on the personas of celebrated historical figures, educating and entertaining audiences as they bring the past to life. Audience members are encouraged to ask questions and interact with the featured characters who will include American-Revolutionary-War-era sea captain Gideon Olmstead; enslaved African-American poet Phillis Wheatley discussing her voyage to Britain; Gov. William Augustus Newell, founder of U.S. Life-Saving Service; and first lady Abigail Adams discussing trade and embargoes during the American Revolution.

Chautauqua takes its name from a series of adult education programs that were first held at a campsite on the shores of Lake Chautauqua in upstate New York during the late-19th century. Chautauquas spread throughout America in the late-19th and early-20th centuries bringing speakers, teachers, musicians, entertainers, preachers and specialists of the day to a wide cross-section of the nation’s rural and small-town population. Circuit Chautauquas (also known as Tent Chautauquas) were an itinerant manifestation of the movement. Programs would be presented in tents pitched in a field near town. After several days, the Chautauqua would fold its tents and move on to the next community. The popularity of Chautauquas peaked in the mid-1920s, after which radio, movies and automobiles brought about the gradual disappearance of the movement by the 1940s.

Reborn in the 1970s as a vehicle for humanities education, modern Chautauquas are organized around a core program in which re-enactors portray celebrated historical figures, speaking and interacting with audiences, often in the setting of a large outdoor tent. Modern Chautauquas have been presented annually in Delaware since 1999 featuring a wide variety of historical figures including Abraham Lincoln; Amelia Earhart; Dolley Madison; Eleanor Roosevelt; Edgar Allan Poe; the Lone Ranger; John Philip Sousa; and Delaware’s own Pvt. James Elbert, Maj. Allen McLane, F.O.C. Darley and Clifford Brown. Delaware’s 2015 Chautauqua tent show is being presented as a partnership between the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the Lewes Historical Society and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce.

The Zwaanendael Museum was built in 1931 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the state’s first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch along Hoorn Kill (present-day Lewes-Rehoboth Canal) in 1631. Designed by E. William Martin (architect of Legislative Hall and the Hall of Records in Dover), the museum is modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, the Netherlands, and features a stepped facade gable with carved stonework and decorated shutters. The museum’s exhibits and presentations provide a showcase for Lewes-area maritime, military and social history. In addition to the 2015 Chautauqua tent show, the museum is currently featuring the exhibit “Delaware and the War of 1812” which examines the service and sacrifice of Delawareans of 1812 to 1815; and “A Seaborne Citizenry: The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World” which explores His Majesty’s Sloop of War DeBraak, a British warship that sank off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798.

The Lewes Historical Society is committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation and cultural enrichment of Lewes, Del.—one of America’s most historic towns. As part of its mission, the society maintains twelve beautifully restored historic properties dating from 1665 to 1898. Open for public visitation, these properties, in conjunction with the society’s educational programs and special events, help to tell Lewes’ story of maritime adventure, architectural elegance and over 375 years of colonial charm.

The Zwaanendael Museum is administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, 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 and heritage. The division’s diverse array of services includes administration of the state historic preservation office, operation of museums and a conference center, conservation of the state’s archaeological and historic-objects collections and management of historic properties across Delaware. 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.

“Discovering Delaware’s Maritime Past”
17th annual Chautauqua tent show, Lewes, Del., June 21–25, 2015

Preliminary schedule as of April 15, 2015
Free admission for all events

Sunday, June 21, 2015
Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 302-645-1148
Noon          “Captain John Smith on the Nanticoke.” Lecture by archaeologist Dan Griffith explores the natural environment of the Nanticoke River watershed in the early-17th century

1:15 p.m.    “Piloting on the Delaware River and Bay.” Lecture by retired river-pilot Dick Buckaloo

2:30 p.m.    “Songs and Stories of Old Sailing Days.” Family-friendly performance in which Matthew Dodd, dressed in period clothing, takes listeners back in time to the days of sail

3:45 p.m.    “The History of the C & D Canal: A Tale of Towns, Villages, Locks, and Bridges.” Historian Michael Dixon tells the fascinating story of how the canal shaped Delaware’s history

6 p.m.         “Songs and Stories of Old Sailing Days.” Family-friendly performance in which Matthew Dodd, dressed in period clothing, takes listeners back in time to the days of sail

7:15 p.m.    “Adventures of a Sea Captain During the Revolutionary War.” David Scott Taylor of the American Historical Theatre portrays Capt. Gideon Olmstead

Monday, June 22, 2015
Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 302-645-1148

Noon          “Delaware Built: The American Line.” Lecture by Dr. William Flayhart on the first successful American-flag steamship line, started in 1873

1:15 p.m.    Scott Bossert, marine supervisor for the Delaware Bay and River Cooperative, discusses the organization’s oil-spill-recovery vessel

2:30 p.m.    “Re-Creation of the 1950 Study of Zooplankton in the Delaware Bay.” Chris Petrone, marine education specialist for the University of Delaware’s Sea Grant College Program, discusses the re-created study being conducted aboard the Joanne Daiber, the program’s new boat which is named for the researcher who led the original study and who was the first female scientist at the university

3:45 p.m.    ”Menhaden Industry in Lewes.” Lecture by Tom Brown, Lewes Historical Society volunteer and former chief of staff of the National Archives and Records Administration

6 p.m.         The Bowman-Braddock Duo. Flute and guitar performance with readings form Howard Pyle’s pirate story “Tom Chist and the Treasure Box” which was set at Cape Henlopen

7:15 p.m.    “An Enslaved Poet’s Voyage to Britain and Back.” Dr. Daisy Century of the American Historical Theatre portrays Phillis Wheatley, the first published African-American poet, recounting her Atlantic voyages

Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Stango Park, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes. 302-645-1148

7 p.m.         Concert by the Skinny Leg Pete Band performing soul, funk, blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Part of Lewes’ Summer Concert Series

Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Lewes Historical Society complex, 110 Shipcarpenter St., Lewes. 302-645-7670

Noon          “Treasures of the Sea.” Lecture by Susan Doering, coordinator of the exhibit at the Delaware Technical and Community College in Georgetown

1:15 p.m.    “Cape Henlopen Quarantine Station.” Lecture by Shawn Heacock, trainer/educator at Cape Henlopen State Park

2:30 p.m.    “History of the U.S. Life-Saving Service in Delaware.” Utilizing a local shipwreck as an illustration, Laura Scharle, site supervisor of the Indian River Life-Saving Station discusses the formation of the service and common 19th-century rescue techniques

3:45 p.m.    “Run It Up the Flagpole and Sea.” Utilizing a reconstructed 1884 life-saving station as a setting, visitors will work together to decode a nautical signal-flag message in order to rescue an imaginary stranded ship and crew. This family-friendly program will also feature historical interpreters, dressed in period clothing, portraying members of the U.S. Life-Saving Service as they share true tales of harrowing shipwrecks and rescues off of the Delaware coast

6 p.m.         Old-time radio show presented by the Ad Hoc Touring Company, a component of Possum Point Players in Georgetown, Del.

7:15 p.m.    Christian Johnson of the American Historical Theatre portrays Gov. William Augustus Newell, founder of U.S. Life-Saving Service

Thursday, June 25, 2015
Lewes Historical Society complex, 110 Shipcarpenter St., Lewes. 302-645-7670

Noon          Demonstration of fly-casting and other fly-fishing techniques

1:15 p.m.    Lecture on the Lightship Overfalls by Bob Gibson of the Overfalls Foundation

2:30 p.m.    “World War II Subchasers.” Presentation by historian Joan Lofland on the subchasers built at the Vinyard Shipyard in Milford, Del.

3:45 p.m.    “Salvage of His Majesty’s Sloop DeBraak.” Claudia Leister, executive director of the Milford Museum, discusses the salvage operation of the 18th-century British warship that took place off the coast of Cape Henlopen in the 1980s

6 p.m.         Pyrates Royale Duo. Swashbuckling family-friendly musical performance

7:15 p.m.    “Embargo Acts, Trade, Privateers and Crossing the Atlantic.” Kim Hanley of the American Historical Theatre portrays first lady Abigail Adams as she describes her trans-Atlantic voyages and speaks her mind about issues of the day during the American Revolution

 -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

(DOVER, Del.—April 13, 2015)—During the month of May 2015, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be offering 10 special programs at sites across the state. Except where noted, programs are free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-744-5055.

Highlights of the month include the 82nd Annual Dover Days Festival on May 1 to 3 which will feature several division-sponsored programs commemorating the 150th anniversary of the end of the American Civil War including historical theater, music and a display. Meanwhile, the John Dickinson Plantation, located at 340 Kitts Hummock Road in Dover, will celebrate the festival from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 2 with colonial games, hearth cooking utilizing 18th-century recipes and special tours.

The adventure, romance, excitement and hardships experienced by 18th- and 19th-century seafarers will be brought to life at the fourth annual Zwaanendael Maritime Festival: “A Sailor’s Life for Me” that will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 23 at the Zwaanendael Museum located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes. The festival will provide opportunities for adults as well as children to experience the everyday lives of sailors by scrubbing the deck, learning about shipboard food, playing “Crown and Anchor” and other Colonial-period games, exploring a vessel’s cargo and the merchants who shipped it, and serving on a block-and-tackle station where visitors will be drilled by a demanding mariner looking for new crew members.

Finally, on Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the New Castle Court House Museum, located at 211 Delaware St. in New Castle, will host “The Early Colonial Delaware Valley—An Archaeological and Historical Symposium.” Now in its eighth year, the symposium is dedicated to building a regional-level dialog that can identify the uniqueness of the cultures that existed in the Delaware Valley during the early period of European colonization.

Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs special events, May 2015

Saturday, May 2, 2015
“Sounds of War: Patriotic Music.” Guided tours examine music’s influence during America’s wars when patriotic songs were composed throughout the nation. Hear music played on authentic Victor Talking Machines that was popularized during the Civil War and later recorded by the Victor Talking Machine Company. Part of the Dover Days Festival. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.

Saturday, May 2, 2015
Dover Days at the John Dickinson Plantation. Activities include tours, Colonial games and hearth cooking utilizing 18th-century recipes. Part of the Dover Days Festival. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Saturday, May 2, 2015
“Fried Okra: Civil War Era Music.” Performance by Rick Hudson and Friends. Part of the Dover Days Festival. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Programs at Noon and 2 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.

Saturday, May 2, 2015
“Two Civil War Soldiers.” Historical play about two Confederate soldiers captured at the battle of Gettysburg and subsequently imprisoned at Fort Delaware. Part of the Dover Days Festival. Dover Century Club, 40 The Green, Dover. 1 p.m. 302-744-5055.

Saturday, May 9, 2015
Eighth annual Symposium on the Early Colonial Archaeology of the Delaware Valley Region. Featuring informal presentations, the program is designed to build a regional-level dialog that can identify the uniqueness of the early Colonial cultures of the Delaware Valley. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-323-4453. To reserve a place, send an e-mail to craig.lukezic@de.state.us.

Saturday, May 9, 2015
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.–3:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Saturday, May 16, 2015
A Day in Old New Castle. The oldest house and garden tour in the nation includes programs at the New Castle Court House Museum and the New Castle Green. Downtown New Castle. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission free at the New Castle Court House Museum. Admission charge at other venues. 302-322-5774.

Saturday, May 23, 2015
Fourth Annual Zwaanendael Maritime Festival: “A Sailor’s Life for Me.” Maritime-themed activities, games, displays by local organizations and more. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. 302-645-1148.

Monday, May 25, 2015
“Victor’s Music of Summer.” Jump into summer with hit songs from the past played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.

Monday, May 25, 2015
“Stories of Freedom and Courage.” Special guided tours focus on the unique stories of freedom and equality that impacted Delaware citizens. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.

Exhibits and displays, May 2015 In addition to special programming, the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is sponsoring the following exhibits and displays:

Opening April 21, 2015
“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. 302-744-5055.

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. . 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. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.

Ongoing
Items from the permanent collections. Designed by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the exhibit includes items from the permanent collections of the Laurel Historical Society including images from the Waller Photographic Collection. Laurel Heritage Museum, Mechanic St., Laurel. Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–Noon. 302-875-9319 or 302-875-1344.

Ongoing Thru spring 2015
“Middletown Goes To War.” Designed by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the exhibit spotlights the contributions of Middletown’s veterans from the Revolutionary War to the present. 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. 302-378-7466. Note change in closing date.

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. Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–3:30 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. 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
“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. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–3:30 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.

 -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

-Listing of museum events through September 2015 also included-

 (DOVER, Del.—April 2, 2015)—During the month of April 2015, the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, Del., will present four special programs for public enjoyment. Three of these programs will explore Delaware’s long-standing connection to the Netherlands—which stretches back in time to the state’s first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch in 1631 in present-day Lewes. Except where noted, programs listed are free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-645-1148.

From Thursday to Saturday, April 9 to 11, the museum will feature Dutch games, crafts and a display of Delftware ceramics as part of the Lewes Tulip Celebration, a city-wide series of activities celebrating Lewes’ Dutch roots.

On Saturday, April 18, the museum will celebrate Dutch-American Friendship Day which commemorates April 19, 1782, the day that John Adams, who would later become the second president of the United States, was received by the States General in The Hague and recognized as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America. It was also the day that the house he had purchased at Fluwelen Burgwal 18 in The Hague was to become the first American embassy in the world. The day’s festivities will include a 2 p.m. lecture by Mike Tyler, advocacy chairman for Sussex Cyclists, an all-volunteer group promoting safe cycling in coastal Sussex County, who will discuss bicycling in Lewes and the Netherlands; the importance of bicycling in Dutch society, and bicycle safety and history. Finally, on Saturday, April 25, the museum will present King’s Day, a celebration of the birthday of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.

In addition to its Dutch-themed programs, the museum is participating in the Wilmington University Alumni Association’s Wildcat Prowl in Lewes which is presenting two days of activities in Delaware’s historic first town.

The Zwaanendael Museum was built in 1931 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the state’s first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch along Hoorn Kill (present-day Lewes-Rehoboth Canal) in 1631. Designed by E. William Martin (architect of Legislative Hall and the Hall of Records in Dover), the museum is modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, the Netherlands, and features a stepped facade gable with carved stonework and decorated shutters. The museum’s exhibits and presentations provide a showcase for Lewes-area maritime, military and social history.

Following is a schedule of Zwaanendael-Museum-sponsored special events through September 2015. Unless otherwise noted, all programs take place at the Zwaanendael Museum located at 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, Del. Museum hours from April 1 to Oct. 31 are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. From Nov. 1 to March 31, museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Except where noted, admission is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-645-1148.

Zwaanendael Museum upcoming special events

Thursday–Saturday, April 9–11, 2015
Lewes Tulip Celebration. City-wide series of activities celebrating Lewes’ Dutch heritage including Dutch games, crafts and a display of Delftware ceramics at the Zwaanendael Museum. Sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. Downtown Lewes. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 302-645-8073.

Friday–Saturday, April 10–11, 2015
Wildcat Prowl in Lewes. Explore one of America’s oldest towns including programs at the Zwaanendael Museum and tours of the DeBraak hull. Sponsored by the Wilmington University Alumni Association. Downtown Lewes. Admission fee. 302-295-1174.

Saturday, April 18, 2015
Dutch-American Friendship Day. Discover Delaware’s Dutch roots and learn how that connection is alive today. Event features a program at 2 p.m. on bicycling in the Netherlands and Delaware. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 25, 2015
King’s Day. Celebration of the birthday of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in a program that will also explore royal titles and Delaware’s Dutch connection. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 23, 2015
Fourth Annual Zwaanendael Maritime Festival: “A Sailor’s Life for Me.” Maritime-themed activities, games, displays by local organizations and more. 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Mondays, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; July 6, 13, 20, 27; Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Sept. 14, 21, 28; 2015
Lecture/tours of His Majesty’s Sloop DeBraak. Explore the history of the DeBraak which was capsized and lost off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798. Program begins at the Zwaanendael Museum, followed by a trip to the hull facility in nearby Cape Henlopen State Park for a tour of the surviving section of the ship’s hull. Programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Limited seating. Admission $10 in advance by reservation through the Shop Delaware website (go to http://shop.delaware.gov and click the “tours” link). Note: Tours will not be conducted on Sept. 7.

Sunday, June 21, 2015
17th Annual Chautauqua Tent Show: “Discovering Delaware’s Maritime Past.” Programs begin at Noon and culminate at 7:15 p.m. when David Scott Taylor of the American Historical Theatre performs “Gideon Olmstead—Adventures of a Sea Captain During the Revolution.”

Monday, June 22, 2015
17th Annual Chautauqua Tent Show: “Discovering Delaware’s Maritime Past.” Programs begin at Noon and culminate at 7:15 p.m. when Daisy Century of the American Historical Theatre performs “Phyllis Wheatley’s Voyage to Britain” which explores an episode in the life of the first published African-American poet.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015
17th Annual Chautauqua Tent Show: “Discovering Delaware’s Maritime Past.” Summer concert (performer TBA). Stango Park, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes. 7 p.m.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015
17th Annual Chautauqua Tent Show: “Discovering Delaware’s Maritime Past.” Programs begin at Noon and culminate at 7:15 p.m. when Christian Johnson of the American Historical Theatre portrays William Augustus Newell founder of U.S. Life-Saving Service. Lewes Historical Society complex, 110 Shipcarpenter St., Lewes. 302-645-7670.

Thursday, June 25, 2015
17th Annual Chautauqua Tent Show: “Discovering Delaware’s Maritime Past.” Programs begin at Noon and culminate at 7:15 p.m. when Kim Hanley of the American Historical Theatre portrays first lady Abigail Adams discussing trade and embargoes during the American Revolution. Lewes Historical Society complex, 110 Shipcarpenter St., Lewes. 302-645-7670.

Zwaanendael Museum exhibits

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.

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.

 -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

(DOVER, Del.—April 1, 2015)—Beginning on June 1, 2015, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will again offer public lecture/tours of the hull of His Majesty’s Sloop DeBraak, a British warship that was escorting and protecting a convoy of British and American merchant ships en route to the United States when it was capsized and lost off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798. Lecture/tours will take place at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the following Mondays during 2015: June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29; July 6, 13, 20 and 27; Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31; and Sept. 14, 21 and 28. Note: Tours will not be conducted on Sept. 7.

All programs begin at the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, Del., where a lecture on the ship will be presented in conjunction with the exhibit “A Seaborne Citizenry: The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World.” The exhibit tells the story of the vessel, its crew and the historical context within which it operated in the late-18th century. Attendees of the lecture will then be transported, via van, to the DeBraak hull facility in nearby Cape Henlopen State Park for an interpreter-led tour of the surviving section of the ship’s hull.

Available through the Shop Delaware website (go to http://shop.delaware.gov and click the “tours” link), nonrefundable reservations for the lecture/tours are $10 per person (restricted to persons aged 10 and above) with a limit of 12 visitors per program. Due to the limited number of seats that are available for each lecture/tour, reservations are encouraged well in advance. For additional information, call 302-645-1148.

Significance of DeBraak …

During the late-18th and early-19th centuries, sloops of war such as DeBraak played an increasingly important role in Royal Navy campaigns. These relatively small vessels combined speed, agility, shallow draft and increased firepower, all of which made them formidable naval vessels. As the only Royal Navy sloop of war from this time period that has been recovered anywhere in the world, DeBraak serves as an invaluable historical resource for a time when Great Britain was the world’s preeminent naval power.

The surviving section of the DeBraak’s hull and its associated artifact collection have been curated by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs since they were acquired by the state of Delaware in 1992. Approximately one-third of the hull survives including the keel, keelson and framing elements of the lower hull, and a large section of the starboard (right) side.

 -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

Rehoboth Beach, DE – Governor Jack Markell, Federal Highway Administration Delaware Administrator Mary Ridgeway, DelDOT Secretary Jennifer Cohan, and DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation Director Ray Bivens joined other officials today for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, opening the brand new North Inlet Campground and enabling the public to enjoy other new improvements at Delaware Seashore State Park. Nearly $10 million worth of construction has been completed on enhancements in the park. This year, work focused on the north side of the Indian River Inlet. Enhancements to the south side were completed in 2014.

The contract was awarded for $9.87 million, of which the Federal Highway Administration paid $7.06 million while the remaining funds came from state capital funds awarded to DelDOT. State and federal transportation funds were used because the footprint of the construction of the new Indian River Inlet Bridge utilized state park lands for bridge construction. The upgrades and enhancements replace what was taken away during construction and are designed to modernize park amenities to today’s outdoor recreation standards.

“These improvements showcase Delaware Seashore State Park as a major Delaware destination,” said Governor Markell. “The upgrades, enhancements – and especially this new campground – make the park even more attractive to families and anyone who lives, works or visits here. All of this is good for tourism, for our economy and for the enjoyment of the people of this state.”

“The Indian River Inlet Bridge gives breathtaking views of the Delaware coastline to travelers, and now the public can enjoy this scenic area at the Delaware Seashore State Park once again,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper. “I am proud of the federal, state and local partnerships that have allowed these economic development projects – which benefit all Delawareans and tourists – to happen, and I look forward to visiting here this beach season.”

“Our seashores are some of our state’s greatest natural resources and beloved tourist destinations,” said U.S. Sen. Chris Coons. “With the construction of the beautiful Indian River Bridge, we lost some of those amenities that accompany our parks. Now with the completion of the wide range of improvements, adding more campsites, more parking spaces and new laundry facilities, these improvements will continue to provide the outstanding outdoors experience that more than one million visitors have come to expect.”

“Delaware beaches are already among the most popular vacation spots on the east coast, and the improvements underway at Delaware Seashore State Park will only make them better,” said U.S. Rep. John Carney. “The economy in Sussex County, and across the entire state, relies heavily on tourism. This project is an investment that will bring more visitors to the state and support the many jobs and businesses in the area.  I can’t wait to see this in person.”

“The investments at Delaware Seashore State Park will allow thousands of additional families to enjoy this incredible recreational jewel,” said DNREC Secretary David Small. “From new campsites, expanded parking, a brand new, full-access walking promenade, and playground – these improvements and enhancements will make this park a must- see attraction for all Delawareans and visitors.”

“The improvements to the Delaware Seashore State Park are an example of what can be accomplished when two state agencies work together,” said DelDOT Secretary Cohan. “DNREC and DelDOT have created a premiere campground that rivals any on the East Coast.”

“This outstanding project is the result of true partnerships between Federal Highway Administration, DelDOT and DNREC,” said Ms. Ridgeway, Delaware administrator for the Federal Highway Administration. “We are so pleased that federal dollars helped to put folks to work during construction and will continue to benefit the economy through the many visitors to this great area.”

Some of the new amenities include:

• 74 full-hookup campsites (featuring water, electric and sewer)
• Six ADA-compliant campsites
• Modern, full-accessible heated bathhouse with hot showers
• New laundry facilities for campers
• Fully accessible walking promenade, enabling visitors to safely walk to the ocean or over the bridge to the south inlet.
• Sidewalk access to Indian river Marina and Hammerhead’s Dockside Café

For day-use visitors, new amenities include:

• 221 parking spaces
• New, modern comfort station
• Deluxe rinse-off showers
• New benches along the scenic Indian River Inlet

In addition, there will be new playgrounds with a local fishing theme, sun shelters, more benches and a mini climbing wall.

“Not only are the north and south sides of the park now connected, new amenities will enable visitors to access and enjoy the bridge itself as a destination,” said DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation Director Bivens. “Those who want to stay overnight will have plenty of options from tent camping to RV to exclusive cottages and the state-of-the-art marina, all located along the inlet within walking distance to the beach.”

Construction completed in 2014 on the south side of the inlet included the refurbishing of the RV and tent campgrounds, 94 new camping sites, renovated bathhouses, six new RV sites with full hook-ups, more parking for anglers and much more.

Reservations are currently being accepted for all three Delaware Seashore State Park campgrounds – available beginning Monday, March 30. Reservations can be made by calling 1-877-98-PARKS, or visiting http://www.destateparks.com/.

This weekend is a “soft opening” – a special time for the park’s top 80 campers from the 2014 season. They will spend a complementary weekend at the park to evaluate the new amenities and upgrades, and provide feedback on any logistical issues that need to be addressed before the park opens to the public.

In his remarks, Gov. Markell highlighted how the transformation of Delaware Seashore State Park promotes outdoor recreation, healthy living, tourism and the economy. He outlined the progress that has been made on two of his major initiatives, the First State Trails and Pathways Initiative, and the Children in Nature/No Child Left Inside Initiative. The Governor noted that since 2012, more than 25 miles of trails and pathways have been added throughout the state. He also pointed out that parks and trails provide a way for children and families to be physically active and live healthy lifestyles – major goals of the Children in Nature Initiative.

###