For generations, Brinkley Hill was a little-known yet remarkable free Black community in Delaware, playing a vital role as a stop on the Underground Railroad and making significant contributions to the local community. That legacy will be recognized with the unveiling of a new State of Delaware Historical Marker at the site of the historic Brinkley Hill settlement on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

Brinkley Hill was home to brothers William and Nathaniel Brinkley, who aided Harriet Tubman and countless freedom seekers on their journey to liberty. As community leaders, the Brinkleys helped establish a schoolhouse in 1867, and William Brinkley was a founder of Zion AME Church. Their leadership and dedication continue to have a lasting impact on the community today.

The unveiling ceremony will bring together local and state leaders, historians, descendants of the Brinkley family, and representatives from the Delaware Public Archives, which administers the Historical Markers Program.

The new marker commemorates the history of Brinkley Hill and highlights the importance of ongoing research in exploring Delaware’s rich and unique histories.

The unveiling will take place at Caesar Rodney High School, 239 Old North Road, Camden, DE 19934, in front of the tennis courts.

About the State of Delaware Historical Markers Program:

The State of Delaware Historical Markers Program traces its origins to 1929, when Governor C. Douglass Buck appointed a committee to review Delaware’s notable historic sites and develop a way to identify them. In 1931, the General Assembly of Delaware passed an act establishing a commission to erect historical markers throughout the state. The markers in each county were numbered sequentially as they were proposed, preceded by NC (New Castle), K (Kent), and S (Sussex) to note the county in which they were located. Since the 1930s, the State of Delaware has erected over 700 markers. The Delaware Public Archives has administered the Historical Markers Program since 1990.

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

The Delaware Public Archives is excited to announce the launch of an enhanced State of Delaware Historical Markers Map, now available on our website. Built on ArcGIS in collaboration with DE FirstMap, this dynamic tool brings Delaware’s rich history to your fingertips.

With just a few clicks, users can explore all the state’s official historical markers, discover detailed information about each site, and easily navigate to related content on our website. The map offers powerful filtering options, allowing you to search by marker category, city, and Historical Categories such as America’s 250th anniversary, Black History, Hundreds, Native American heritage, and Women’s History.

Whether you’re planning a road trip, researching local history, or simply curious about the stories that shaped the First State, the State of Delaware Historical Markers Map is your gateway to exploring Delaware’s past in an interactive, user-friendly format.

Discover it now at: https://archives.delaware.gov/delaware-historical-markers/

If you have questions, or for more information, please email historicalmarkers@delaware.gov.

About the State of Delaware Historical Markers Program:

The State of Delaware Historical Markers Program traces its origins to 1929, when Governor C. Douglass Buck appointed a committee to review Delaware’s notable historic sites and develop a way to identify them. In 1931, the General Assembly of Delaware passed an act establishing a commission to erect historical markers throughout the state. The markers in each county were numbered sequentially as they were proposed, preceded by NC (New Castle), K (Kent), and S (Sussex) to note the county in which they were located. Since the 1930s, the State of Delaware has erected over 700 markers. The Delaware Public Archives has administered the Historical Markers Program since 1990.

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

For over 70 years, the story of the Bulah family has stood as a landmark in the fight for educational equality—one that began on a quiet road in Hockessin and helped shape the course of American history.

On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., that legacy will be formally recognized with the unveiling of a new State of Delaware Historical Marker near the site of the Bulah family home. In 1951, Fred and Sarah Bulah, determined that their daughter Shirley should have the same opportunities as white students, challenged the state’s refusal to provide her transportation to a nearby white school. With the legal support of Louis Redding and Jack Greenberg, their case—Bulah v. Gebhart—was joined with Belton v. Gebhart in the Delaware Court of Chancery. Chancellor Collins J. Seitz’s ruling in their favor became part of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, ending legal segregation in public education.

The ceremony will bring together local and state leaders, including State Representative Michael F. Smith, Hockessin Historical Society President Pete Seely, daughter of Shirley Bulah René Michelle Ricks-Stamps, Friends of Hockessin Colored School #107, Inc. Board Chair Ray A. Blackwell, M.D. M.J., Friends of Hockessin Colored School #107, Inc. Executive Director David J. Wilk, Director and State Archivist Stephen M. Marz, and representatives from the Delaware Public Archives who oversee the Historical Markers Program.

The new marker not only commemorates a critical chapter in Delaware’s history but also stands as a reminder of the individuals whose determination helped change the course of the nation.

About the State of Delaware Historical Markers Program:

The State of Delaware Historical Markers Program traces its origins to 1929, when Governor C. Douglass Buck appointed a committee to review Delaware’s notable historic sites and develop a way to identify them. In 1931, the General Assembly of Delaware passed an act establishing a commission to erect historical markers throughout the state. The markers in each county were numbered sequentially as they were proposed, preceded by NC (New Castle), K (Kent), and S (Sussex) to note the county in which they were located. Since the 1930s, the State of Delaware has erected over 700 markers. The Delaware Public Archives has administered the Historical Markers Program since 1990.

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

For over a century, the Rehoboth Beach Patrol has been more than just a line of defense between swimmers and the sea—it’s been a symbol of dedication, courage, and community spirit along Delaware’s coast.

On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., that legacy will be officially recognized with the unveiling of a new State of Delaware Historical Marker at the Rehoboth Beach Patrol Building. Established in 1921 by Benjamin F. Shaw and the American Red Cross, the Patrol has safeguarded the city’s two-mile shoreline through generations of lifeguards who have performed countless rescues, provided medical assistance, organized beach evacuations, and engaged the community through safety programs.

The ceremony will bring together local and state leaders, including State Senator Russell Huxtable, former State Representative Pete Schwartzkopf, Rehoboth Beach Mayor Stan Mills, Rehoboth Beach Patrol Captain Jeff Giles, Director and State Archivist Stephen M. Marz, and representatives from the Delaware Public Archives who oversee the Historical Markers Program.

The new marker not only commemorates a storied past but also highlights the ongoing commitment of the Patrol to protect residents and visitors alike, making Delaware’s beaches safer and its history richer.

About the State of Delaware Historical Markers Program:

The State of Delaware Historical Markers Program traces its origins to 1929, when Governor C. Douglass Buck appointed a committee to review Delaware’s notable historic sites and develop a way to identify them. In 1931, the General Assembly of Delaware passed an act establishing a commission to erect historical markers throughout the state. The markers in each county were numbered sequentially as they were proposed, preceded by NC (New Castle), K (Kent), and S (Sussex) to note the county in which they were located. Since the 1930s, the State of Delaware has erected over 700 markers. The Delaware Public Archives has administered the Historical Markers Program since 1990.

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

Delaware’s historical markers are getting a makeover. The unveiling ceremony of the new design for the State of Delaware Historic Markers will be held at the Delaware Public Archives on April 29, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.

Created by the same forge, the new design will have an enhanced appearance, incorporating the Great State Seal of Delaware. The first two markers in the style featuring the Great State Seal of Delaware will be:

• DE-1 – Delaware Public Archives Building
• DE-2 – The State of Delaware Historical Markers Program.

This event is free to the public and will last approximately one hour. No reservations are required. The event will be held rain or shine. For more information, contact Victoria Mooers at (302) 744-5036 or e-mail victoria.mooers@delaware.gov.

About the State of Delaware Historical Markers Program:

The State of Delaware Historical Markers Program traces its origins to 1929, when Governor C. Douglass Buck appointed a committee to review Delaware’s notable historic sites and develop a way to identify them. In 1931, the General Assembly of Delaware passed an act establishing a commission to erect historical markers throughout the state. The markers in each county were numbered sequentially as they were proposed, preceded by NC (New Castle), K (Kent), and S (Sussex) to note the county in which they were located. Since the 1930s, the State of Delaware has erected over 700 markers. The Delaware Public Archives has administered the Historical Markers Program since 1990.

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