Live virtual programs in February 2021

Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021
“The Wreck of the DeBraak.” Virtual program from the Zwaanendael Museum explores the history of the British warship DeBraak which sank off the coast of Lewes in May of 1798 only to be recovered by treasure hunters nearly 200 years later. 3:30 p.m. 302-645-1148 or mailto:zmuseum@delaware.gov.

Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021
“Mary Ann Shadd Cary: Delaware’s Forgotten Daughter.” Virtual presentation from the New Castle Court House Museum featuring Lora Englehart of Delaware Humanities discussing the life of Wilmington native Mary Ann Shadd Cary (1823-1893), a teacher, journalist, editor, feminist, lawyer, wife and mother who lived a life committed to racial and gender equality. Presented in celebration of African American History Month. 1 p.m. 302-323-4453 or mailto:NCCHmuseum@delaware.gov.

Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021
“A Student’s Quest for Racial Reckoning in Delaware.” Virtual program from the Zwaanendael Museum in which Savannah Shepherd discusses the journey that led her to collaborate with the Equal Justice Initiative’s Community Remembrance Project that installed a marker in memoriam of the lynching of George White. Presented in celebration of African American History Month. 3:30 p.m. 302-645-1148 or mailto:zmuseum@delaware.gov.

Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021
Delaware State Review Board for Historic Preservation meeting. Virtual meeting to include review of the African Union Church of Iron Hill’s nomination to the National Register of Historic Places: 10 a.m. 302-736-7417.

Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021
“Remembering Washington.” Virtual living-history program from The Old State House in which historical interpreter Tom Welch portrays Col. Allen McLane, the Revolutionary War hero from Duck Creek (Smyrna, Del.). As part of the program, McLane will discuss his decades-long relationship with George Washington. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Old Dover. Program streamed live via Zoom or on the museum’s Facebook page. 10 a.m. 302-744-5054 or mailto:OSHmuseum@delaware.gov.

 

Administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the five museums of the State of Delaware—the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum—tell the story of the First State’s contributions to the history and culture of the United States. Through tours, exhibits, and special programs, the museums shine a spotlight on Delaware’s unique history and the diverse people who came to live there. The museums are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The New Castle Court House Museum and the John Dickinson Plantation are partner sites of the First State National Historical Park. The Old State House is located on the Dover Green, another partner site of the park. Go to the following for a long-term calendar of division-sponsored events.

 

The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is 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. The division’s diverse array of services includes operation of five museums, administration of the State Historic Preservation Office, conservation of the state’s archaeological and historic-objects collections, operation of a conference center and management of historic properties across the state. 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.

(DOVER, Del.—June 22, 2020)—On June 22, 2020, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs began rehabilitation work at the Zwaanendael Museum located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, Del. Expected to continue for approximately one month, work will include cleaning of the entire exterior of the building with attention paid to its ornamental-design features, replacement of weather-damaged shutters and repainting of all remaining window frames and shutters according to existing colors and design.

The division will work with the contractor to limit public inconvenience during the project. Residents and visitors will notice the presence of equipment, materials and workers on site as well as the usual noises that go with construction work during daytime hours. No evening or weekend work is anticipated.

The museum will remain open during the process, but, in keeping with Gov. Carney’s plans for reopening the state in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, visitation is limited to 30-minute, self-guided tours by advance registration only on Fridays and Saturdays at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.; and Sundays at 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Call 302-645-1148 for reservations and additional information.

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. Crowning the building’s façade is a statue of David Pietersz de Vries, general administrator of the Swanendael colony. The museum’s exhibits and presentations provide a showcase for Lewes-area maritime, military and social history.

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. The division’s diverse array of services includes operation of five museums which are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, administration of the State Historic Preservation Office, conservation of the state’s archaeological and historic-objects collections, operation of a conference center and management of historic properties across the state. 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.

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Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone: 302-608-5326
E-mail: Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web: http://history.delaware.gov