The Cold War’s Effect on Dover Air Force Base and its Surrounding Communities

Governor Carvel (on the left) christening “Diamond State Tanker” with Staff Sgt. Goodin, Armed Forces Day, Dover Air Force Base, May 25, 1961
Governor Carvel (on the left) christening “Diamond State Tanker” with Staff Sgt. Goodin on Armed Forces Day, Dover Air Force Base, May 25, 1961

Dover Air Force Base has been a cornerstone of Dover, Delaware for over 60 years. What is little understood is the impact the base has had on the communities that surround it. On Saturday, August 6, at 10:30 a.m. MSgt Eric Czerwinski, USAF, (Retired) will present a program at the Delaware Public Archives about Dover AFB’s influence on the growth of the local area during the post-World War II era. The development of Dover and Camden were immeasurably affected by the growth of Dover AFB during the Cold War years. The need to house airmen and civilians became a driving force in the development of these local communities. New subdivisions sprouted up everywhere and for the first time, the commercial focus began its journey from downtown to the strip mall. This program will reveal how the fabric of Kent County was permanently changed by the growth of Dover AFB during the Cold War period of the 1950s.

Eric Czerwinski retired from the United States Air Force as a Master Sergeant after 20 years of service. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in History from Wesley College and completed his Master’s Degree in Historic Preservation at Delaware State University in 2013. Currently, he serves as an adjunct Instructor of History at Wesley College.

The program is free to the public and will last approximately one hour. No reservations are required. For more information, contact Tom Summers at (302) 744-5047 or e-mail
thomas.summers@delaware.gov.

The Delaware Public Archives is located at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North in Dover. The Mabel Lloyd Ridgely Research Room is open to the public Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. On the second Saturday of every month the research room is open from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.


Delaware Public Archives (DPA, archives.delaware.gov), an agency of the State of Delaware, is one of the oldest public archives programs in the United States. DPA serves the citizens of Delaware by identifying, collecting, and preserving public records of enduring historical and evidential value; ensuring access to public records for present and future generations; and advising and educating interested parties in the creation, management, use, and preservation of public records.

Division of Libraries Signs Agreement to Integrate DAFB Library Collection to State Catalog

**Click Here to View Event Photos**

(Dover, Del.) Governor Jack Markell, the Delaware Division of Libraries (DDL) on behalf of the Delaware Library Consortium, and Dover Air Force Base (DAFB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, on June 23, 2014, establishing an agreement and partnership for collaboration to extend the capacity of library services in supporting community needs.

The agreement allows Delaware libraries to integrate the popular items of the DAFB Library collection into the statewide Delaware Library Catalog. The shared collection currently consists of over 2.5 million print and digital items.

“The Library Directors are delighted to receive this high quality collection from the Dover Air Force Base Library.  Through community collaborations such as this, Delaware libraries and their partners support Delawareans in achieving their versions of the Delaware Dream.” said Annie Norman, State Librarian.

The collection will be managed among Delaware libraries throughout the state, making it available to all Delaware residents.  The partnership between DAFB and Delaware Libraries will maximize resources and services for the benefit of DAFB families and all Delawareans.

“We are pleased to be able to partner with the State of Delaware to enhance the services available to DAFB families and all Delawareans,” said Col. Kevin Gordon, 436th Airlift Wing vice commander. “Initiatives like this further cement the bond between DAFB and the local community, and we look forward to continuing to build on our relationship.”

The integration of the DAFB Library collection to the Delaware Library Catalog (delawarelibraries.org) is an initiative resulting from the transformation of DAFB library last March and will make the most popular collections, children’s books and educations materials available to all Delawareans.

DAFB families are eligible to register for Delaware Library Cards and are encouraged to join Library Friends groups to become more involved in the local and statewide community. For more information about the Delaware Division of Libraries visit: http://libraries.delaware.gov/.

Contact: Beth-Ann Ryan at (302) 257-3002 or beth-ann.ryan@delaware.gov. Delaware Division of Libraries, Deputy Director