The Delaware Public Archives has unveiled a new exhibition in its lobby, “Celebrating African American History in The First State” that features every State of Delaware Historical Marker related to Black history and the significance behind them.

“With this display, we honor some oft overlooked accomplishments of Black Delawareans in every area of endeavor of Delaware’s history including civil rights, social change, politics, education, the arts, and athletics,” said Stephen Marz, State Archivist and Delaware Public Archives Director. “We hope all Delawareans will join us as we recognize and celebrate the great legacy of Delaware’s rich African American history through our Marker program.”

The Delaware Historical Marker Program began in 1931 when the General Assembly of Delaware passed an act establishing a permanent commission to erect historical markers throughout the state. These markers recognize their historic significance based on their influence, effect, or impact on the course of history or cultural development in Delaware. Eighty-eight official State of Delaware Historical Markers recognize African American landmarks, milestones and achievements across the state.

As part of the display, visitors to the Archives can take home a 32-page, full-color booklet which contains locations, photos and information on each historical marker that is related to Delaware Black history. Large maps on display of each individual county and the city of Wilmington provides visitors with a visual location of where the markers are located, and a video presentation of actual photos of these markers will be shown.

The Delaware Public Archives is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Dover. The display is free and open to the public until mid-March 2023.

For those unable to personally visit the Delaware Public Archives, an e-book version “Celebrating African American History in the First State” will be available on the agency website at www.archives.delaware.gov.

You can view and/or download a PDF version of this book here.

In this monograph, Catherine Adams Masek examines the life and times of the Adams family and the farm they’ve lived on for seven generations. In fact, the farm has been continuously operated by the same family since 1862! Including original family photographs, this is an incredible story of family and tradition, through the lens of rural Delaware.
 
The Adams Home Farm of Northwest Fork Hundred
– by Catherine A. Masek

You can view and/or download a PDF version of this book here.

Find out more about the Delaware Heritage Commission here.

Delaware’s history can be found all around us, not only in textbooks, but in the buildings and homes that we live and work in. Our state’s architecture has been influenced by several hundred years of growth, development, and cultural exchange, and many of these historic buildings are still standing in our towns and communities. George F. Bennett’s “The Perennial Apprentice” discusses Delaware’s architecture, from early settlement to the 20th century. Featuring photographs and illustrations of buildings from all over the state, this book is sure to be a hit with historians and craftsmen alike.
 
The Perennial Apprentice: 60 Year Scrapbook of Architecture, 1916 to 1976
– by George Fletcher Bennett

You can view and/or download a PDF version of this book here.

Find out more about the Delaware Heritage Commission here.

Our Oral History continues this week with its fourth installment: Governor Charles Terry. This volume was written by Ned Davis, Governor Terry’s Press Secretary, and contains a study of Governor Terry and his administration, using oral histories, interviews with members of the administration, and Davis’ personal recollections.
– by Ned Davis

You can view and/or download a PDF version of this book here.

Find out more about the Delaware Heritage Commission here.

Continuing our Oral History series, this week’s Heritage Commission’s Book of the Week is, Russell W. Peterson: Governor of Delaware, 1969-1973. A reformer and an energetic leader, you can read for yourself the story of Peterson’s administration in the words of those who made it a success.
– by Christopher L. Perry

You can view and/or download a PDF version of this book here.

Find out more about the Delaware Heritage Commission here.