–Listing of plantation events through December 2014 also included–

During the month of July 2014, the John Dickinson Plantation, located at 340 Kitts Hummock Rd. in Dover, Del., will present six special programs featuring demonstrations of traditional crafts that would have been made during the 18th century when John Dickinson was in residence at the property. The site will also be open for visitation and tours between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Admission is free. For additional information, call 302-739-3277.

On Wednesday, July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., the plantation will present “Hands On History” featuring demonstrations of different traditional crafts each week including sachet making, paper marbling, paper quilling, plantation journal-making and plaster casting. On Saturday, July 12, between 1 and 3 p.m., the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild will be conducting demonstrations of spinning, weaving, knitting and other fabric arts.

The John Dickinson Plantation was the boyhood home and country estate of John Dickinson, one of the founding fathers of the United States, signer of the U.S. Constitution and “Penman of the Revolution.” The plantation features Dickinson’s original 1740 brick home, reconstructed farm buildings and a log’d dwelling, surrounded by rich agricultural lands stretching down to the banks of the St. Jones River.

Following is a schedule of plantation events through December 2014. All programs take place at the John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, Del. The property is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Times for special programs are indicated. Admission is free for all events listed. For additional information, call 302-739-3277.

John Dickinson Plantation special events through December 2014

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 all complicated machines are composed.

Thursday, June 26, 2014
“Thirsty on Thursdays.” Learn how to make cool 18th-century drinks including switchels, lemonade and tea. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Saturdays, July 12, Aug. 9, Sept. 13, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13, 2014
Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild. Program explores spinning, weaving, knitting and other fabric arts. 1–3 p.m.

Wednesdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2014
Hands On History. Visitors will experience 18th-century history by participating in a different demonstration each week. Hands-on demonstrations will include sachet making, paper marbling, paper quilling, plantation journal-making and plaster casting. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Wednesdays, Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2014
“Weaving Wednesdays.” Indoor, staff-led program in which visitors will learn how to weave a blanket or rag rug. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014
“Raiding the Mansion—Plundering the House of all its Provisions.” Learn about the Tory raid on the plantation’s mansion house through a special tour, and through examination of letters and primary documents. 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Thursdays, Sept. 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2014
“Taper Thursdays.” Learn to make your own candle and help the plantation dip 200 candles that John Dickinson would have required from his tenants are part of their leases. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014
“Hearth Cooking Basics.” Hands-on workshop. 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014
“Smoked, Pickled and Salted for Survival.” Learn how smoked, pickled and salted meats helped stretch food reserves in the winter, and participate in pickling meats with brine and smoking meats in the plantation’s smokehouse. In addition, join the John Dickinson Plantation in celebration of the St. Jones Reserve’s “Arts in the Estuary” program from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014
“A Day in the Life of the John Dickinson Plantation.” Visitors of all ages will enjoy a day of music, food, entertainment and hands-on activities from colonial trades to hearth cooking in the 18th-century setting of the home of the “Penman of the Revolution.” 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 24, 2014
“Lantern Tours of the Plantation.” Programs explore the parties, games, dances and entertainment that would have abounded at the plantation during the nighttime in the 18th century. Activities will also include wagon-ride guided-tours conducted by staff of the St. Jones Reserve exploring the nocturnal life of the estuary. Programs 6–7 p.m. and 7:30–8:30 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-739-3277.

Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014
“An 18th-Century Sweet Tooth.” Hands-on workshop in which visitors can learn how to create 18th-century sweets and goodies. 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Thursdays, Nov. 6, 13 and 20, 2014
John Dickinson’s Birthday Month. Visitors celebrate the birth of John Dickinson by helping to make a great cake and decorate it using royal icing and shaped marzipan. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014
Candle-making workshops. Bayberry-candle workshop from 10 a.m.–noon examines bayberries and their use in creating bayberry candles. Presented in partnership with the St. Jones Reserve. Reservations required by calling the St. Jones Reserve at 302-739-3436. “Light Me Up!” workshop on candle dipping and discussion of lighting devices of the 18th century from 1–3 p.m. Reservations required by calling 302-739-3277 no later than Nov. 14.

Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014
“Handmade for the Holidays.” Seasonal program in which visitors can learn to create and decorate cards through the art of paper quilling and stenciling, and write a personal note with a quill pen. 11–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014
“Handmade for the Holidays.” Seasonal program in which visitors can create a sachet with herbs and spices. 11–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014
“Handmade for the Holidays.” Seasonal program in which visitors can create a plaster ornament. 11–2:30 p.m.

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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

As extreme weather events become more frequent, our obligation to keep the public safe must include limiting damage to our homes, businesses, and infrastructure. With the support of our congressional delegation, we just announced seven million dollars in federal funding for projects to restore coastal areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy and to increase the resilience of the Delaware Bayshore, which has been degraded by severe flooding and erosion. It will build on work underway to repair and improve dikes along the Delaware River and to nourish our beaches. All of this will help reduce the risks to our people, while protecting valuable economic resources. And these projects have the added economic benefit of supporting Delaware jobs. But, we also need your help.

The beginning of a new hurricane season is a reminder that we need Delawareans to act now to prepare for the next disaster, whether it happens in six days, six weeks or six months. This past week, our Council of Faith-Based Partnerships organized a workshop for leaders of houses of worship across the state, so they could learn about ways to partner with the state in preventing and responding to disasters. Everyone should have a plan. We ask people and families to spend a few hours figuring out: Where would you go? What would you need? Please visit dema.delaware.gov for more information on how your family can be better prepared. We can’t stop natural disasters, but by taking preventative steps now, we’ll mitigate the damage, and we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.

(Dover, DE) – In his weekly message, Governor Markell encourages Delawareans to be prepared for extreme weather events and highlights ongoing efforts to mitigate the damage caused by natural disasters.

“As extreme weather events become more frequent, our obligation to keep the public safe must include limiting damage to our homes, businesses, and infrastructure,” said Governor Markell. “We can’t stop natural disasters, but by taking preventative steps now, we’ll mitigate the damage, and we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/1jKbCQiz4BM
Delaware.Gov:  http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message:  Shoring Up Delaware’s Response to Natural Disasters

 —“The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World” honored with Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History—

On June 18, 2014, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs received notification from the American Association for State and Local History that the multi-dimensional interpretive program, “The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World,” is a recipient of the 2014 Award of Merit, a component of the association’s Leadership in History Awards program. The award will be presented to Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs representatives on Sept. 19, 2014 during the association’s annual meeting that will take place in St. Paul, Minn.

“The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World” shines a spotlight on His Majesty’s Sloop of War 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. The surviving section of the ship’s hull and its associated artifact collection have been curated by the division since they were acquired by the state of Delaware in 1992.

Held on Mondays from late spring through early fall, program activities begin at the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, Del., where a lecture and video on the ship are 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. Visitors are then 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. Remaining programs during 2014 will be held at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on July 7, 14, 21 and 28; Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25; and Sept. 8, 15, 22 and 29. For tickets and additional information, go to the Shop Delaware website or call 302-645-1148.

The American Association for State and Local History’s Leadership in History Awards program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation and interpretation of state and local history throughout the United States. Leadership in History Awards not only honor significant achievement in the field of state and local history, but also bring public recognition of the opportunities for small and large organizations, institutions and programs to make contributions in this arena. 

The American Association for State and Local History is a not-for-profit professional organization of individuals and institutions working to preserve and promote history. From its headquarters in Nashville, Tenn., the association provides leadership, service and support for its members who preserve and interpret state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful in American society.

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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

(Dover, DE) – In his weekly message, Governor Markell addresses the importance of continuing education for our future workforce.

“For our young people to have the chance to make the most of their talents, we need to recognize that more than 60 percent of jobs will require some additional education or training,” said Governor Markell. “Many students face simple yet overwhelming barriers to getting the education they deserve. By giving them the chance to reach their potential, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

 YouTube: http://youtu.be/bXyfMu935dU

Delaware.Gov:  http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml

By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/governormarkell

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: