YORKLYN – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation’s Auburn Heights Preserve takes visitors back in time to explore the age of steam as it hosts “Steamin’ Day,” 12:30 – 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 5, and continuing on the first Sunday of every month through November.

Visitors are invited to witness the dawn of the automotive age with a look inside the Marshall Steam Museum, which houses the largest collection of operating Stanley Steam cars in the world. During “Steamin’ Days,” the public can ride in the steam cars as well as on a one-eighth-sized operating railroad system encircling the property, see a live demonstration on how to “fire up” a steam engine, visit museum displays, take tours of the Auburn Heights mansion, and walk the trails that wind through the preserve and the town of Yorklyn.

Visitors can learn more about steam cars and their connection to the Marshall family during tours of the mansion that was home to three generations of the influential family that donated the Queen Anne Victorian mansion, land and the museum to the Division in 2008.

Tickets range from $8 – $19, depending on amenities. More information is available at AuburnHeights.org , at destateparks.com, or by contacting Aaron Ferguson, Auburn Heights Preserve interpretive programs manager, at 302-239-5687.

Media Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

YORKLYN – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation has announced that the Farm Lane Bridge in Yorklyn will be closed to both vehicles and pedestrians from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 19. The closure is necessary to prepare the bridge for future construction work.

For more information, please contact Laura Lee, park superintendent, Auburn Heights Preserve, at 302.729.4278.

DOVER – DNREC’s First State Heritage Park will explore Patriotic Traditions as its theme for its monthly “First Saturday in the First State” in July. The July 7 program will feature a variety of free events and activities.

The John Bell House and Kent County Courthouse will give special focus to the African-American experience during the American Revolution up to World War I. “Fighting for Freedom Beyond the Revolution” at the John Bell House will explore what freedom meant for African-Americans and how they fought for freedom during the American Civil War.

The Johnson Victrola Museum will feature “Stars and Stripes,” during which visitors can enjoy original patriotic music recorded by the Victor Record Company, with a special focus on the music of John Philip Sousa. “Dover’s Heroes of the Revolution” Walking Tour, at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m., will highlight tales of those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Here is a list of programs and activities for First Saturday in the First State for July 7:

9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Fighting for Freedom Beyond the Revolution, at the John Bell House on The Green
  From the Revolutionary War through the Civil War, learn about the ways African-Americans have fought for country and freedom.
• Thunder and Rain, at the The Old Statehouse, 25 The Green
  Enjoy the feature film presentation about Caesar Rodney’s historic ride for independence.
• Stars and Stripes, at the Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New Street
  Enjoy patriotic music recorded by Victor Record Company featuring music by John Philip Sousa.
• Biggs Kids: Picnic Blankets, at the Biggs Museum of American Art, 406 Federal Street
  Celebrate one of America’s favorite pastimes by making your own picnic blankets, complete with friendly ants in search of treats. For ages 5-10.
• The Laws of Fun, at Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Avenue
  Tour Delaware’s state capital building, and learn about the legislation that created and protected our state and national parks, and made them available for the public to enjoy. Photo ID is required for all adults entering the building.

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Tours of the Governor’s House, at At Woodburn (The Governor’s House), 151 King’s Highway
  Enjoy guided tours of the official residence of Delaware’s Governor since 1965, and Hall House, the Governor’s guest house.

10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m.

• Heroes of the Revolution Walking Tour, Meet at the John Bell House on The Green
  Discover how Dover was a hotbed of activity during the struggle for American Independence.

10:30 a.m.

• Maximizing Ancestry.com to Find your Genealogical Roots, at the Delaware Public Archives, 121 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
  Professional genealogist Sydney F. Cruice Dixon will share tips and strategies to help researchers become more effective family genealogists, and get the most from Ancestry.com subscriptions.

11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.

• Tales of Slavery and Freedom Walking Tour, Meet at the John Bell House on The Green
  As a border state, learn why Delaware’s position regarding slavery was complex.

1:30 – 4:00 p.m.

• Legion of Strangers: the Ebony Doughboys Story, Kent County Courthouse, 38 The Green, Courtroom #1
  Learn about African-American life during WWI, and follow in the footsteps of those who chose to fight and those who fought the battle for equality at home.

Each month during “First Saturdays in the First State,” the First State Heritage Park offers a variety of free programs at each of the park’s partner sites, including tours of the two capital buildings in Delaware’s capital city – the Old State House and Legislative Hall – hourly walking tours leaving from the John Bell House, and the monthly “Biggs Kids” program at the Biggs Museum of American Art. Exhibits are also on display at the Biggs Museum, the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, and the Johnson Victrola Museum.

Admission to all park sites and programs is free. Centrally-located free parking is available at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, located at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North. For more information about “First Saturday” events and all First State Heritage Park programs, please call 302-739-9194 or visit the First State Heritage park website.

The First State Heritage Park is Delaware’s first urban “park without boundaries,” linking historic and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777. The park is a partnership of state agencies under the leadership of DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, working in collaboration with city and county government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector.

Media Contact: Sarah Zimmerman, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, First State Heritage Park, 302-739-9194 or sarah.zimmerman@delaware.gov.

DOVER – DNREC’s First State Heritage Park will present “Favorite Pastimes” as the theme for the First State Heritage Park’s monthly “First Saturday in the First State,” during the annual Dover Days celebration on Saturday, May 5. The program will feature a variety of free events and activities. Visitors to The Green can also see the John Bell House during the “Archaeology – a Time Travelers Event,” where they can visit an active dig site, and find out more about life in the past.

At the John Bell House, middle school students from the First State Club at Campus Community School will also help to transform it into an 18th century tavern for “A Traveler’s Life: Getting from Here to There in the 18th Century.” Visitors will experience some of the perils of travel in a themed obstacle course, and can try their hand at some typical tavern chores, as well as some games enjoyed as pastimes.

Here is a list of other programs and activities for First Friday and First Saturday in the First State:

First Friday, May 4

8:00 p.m.

• Join historical interpreters from DNREC’s First State Heritage Park dressed in historic clothing for a brand new lantern tour of the Old Methodist Cemetery. The tour will feature a 19th century undertaker and a mourning widow who will share details about Victorian funeral practices. Tickets are $10, and space is limited; call 302-739-9194 to reserve your spot.

First Saturday, May 5

9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• A Traveler’s Life: Getting from Here to There in the 18th Century (John Bell House on The Green)
  Discover how Delaware’s Revolutionary hero, Caesar Rodney, made his historic ride, and hear about the different methods of 18th century travel and the challenges and dangers an 18th century traveler faced.
• Guided Tours of Delaware’s Capitol (411 Legislative Avenue)
  Visit the building that has been home to the Delaware General Assembly since 1933. Photo ID is required for all adults entering the building.
• Guided Tours of The Old State House (25 The Green)
  Tour this 1791 building that served as Delaware’s capitol until 1933.
• Sounds of War: Patriotic Music (Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New Street)
  Guided tours will examine music’s influence on American wars. Hear wartime music that was recorded by the Victor Talking Machine Company which is played on authentic Talking Machines.
• Biggs Kids: Ladybug Mask (Biggs Museum of American Art, 406 Federal Street)
  Get crafty with the state’s ladylike bug by making your own ladybug mask. For ages 5-10.

10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

• Tours of the Governor’s House (Woodburn, 151 King’s Highway)
  Enjoy guided tours of the official residence of Delaware’s Governor since 1965, and Hall House, the Governor’s guest house.

10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• “Stories of The Green” Walking Tour (Meet at the John Bell House on The Green)
  For 300 years, The Green has been the center of commerce, politics, and civic life in Dover. Guided walks through the historic district reveal the people and events that left their mark on Dover’s history. Tours leave on the hour with the last tour leaving at 3:00 p.m.
• Archaeology at the Bell House – A Time Travelers Archaeology Month Event (John Bell House on The Green)
  Visit the John Bell House and learn about its history, and the lives of those who spent time there in the 18th century. Archaeologists will use finds from the property to discuss everyday life in the past. Touch a piece of history and learn about the archaeological research process.

1:30 p.m.

• Behind the Scenes Tour of the Delaware Public Archives (121 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard)
  This annual “behind the scenes” tour of the building offers the public a rare opportunity to learn more about the role of the archives, and see how the facility preserves and protects the records that are important to every Delawarean.

1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• The Once and Future Courthouse: Historic Kent County Courthouse, Courtroom #1 (Meet at the front steps of the Old Courthouse at 38 The Green)
  From the 1690s to the present, learn how this site transformed from a courthouse to a hotel and back again.

Each month during “First Saturdays in the First State,” the First State Heritage Park offers a variety of free programs at each of the park’s partner sites, including tours of the two capitol buildings in Delaware’s capital city – the Old State House and Legislative Hall – hourly walking tours leaving from the John Bell House, and the monthly “Biggs Kids” program at the Biggs Museum of American Art. Exhibits are also on display at the Delaware Public Archives, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries and the Biggs Museum.

Admission to all park sites and programs is free. Centrally-located free parking is available at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, located at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North. For more information about “First Saturday” events and all First State Heritage Park programs, please call 302-739-9194 or visit www.destateparks.com/heritagepark. Information on all the events of Dover Days weekend, sponsored by Delaware’s Quaint Villages, can be found at www.visitdelawarevillages.com.

The First State Heritage Park is Delaware’s first urban “park without boundaries,” linking historic and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777. The park is a partnership of state agencies under the leadership of DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, working in collaboration with city and county government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector.

Contact: Sarah Zimmerman, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, First State Heritage Park, 302-739-9194 or sarah.zimmerman@delaware.gov.

Delaware State Parks has announced closures of facilities at Cape Henlopen State Park and at Holts Landing State Park.

End of Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier Closes

DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation announced today it has closed a 20-foot portion of the Cape Henlopen fishing pier indefinitely due to ice damage that occurred this winter. The area closed encompasses an approximately 20-foot section of the end of the pier. Engineers evaluated the extent of the damage and determined that the end of the pier must be closed immediately.

Holts Landing Boat Ramp Closes

The Division also announced it will close the boat ramp and adjacent parking lot at Holts Landing State Park later this month on weekdays while renovations are made to improve the parking lot and add 36 new boat trailer parking spaces. The boat ramp is scheduled to be closed during the week while construction is underway but will be open on weekends. Closures will begin in mid-April and are estimated to continue until late May, weather permitting.

Media Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902