Presidents Lincoln and Washington to be spotlighted at Dover, Del.’s Old State House during February 2020

(DOVER, Del.—Feb. 7, 2020)—In honor of Presidents Day 2020, The Old State House, located at 25 The Green in Dover, Del., will present programs during the month of February that spotlight two of the United States’ greatest chief executives—Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

On Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m., the museum will offer “With Malice Toward None: Abraham Lincoln in Words and Pictures,” a presentation by historian Daniel Pritchett that explores Lincoln’s love of language and his ability to use words to influence and inspire people and to transform the nation.

On Sunday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m., the museum will offer “George Washington’s Unique Skill in Picking Top Talent,” a presentation by Dr. Samuel B. Hoff of Delaware State University and museum historical interpreter Tom Welch on the men that Washington chose to serve in the military, in his spy networks, in his Cabinet and on the Supreme Court.

Both programs are free and open to the public but, due to space restrictions, reservations are suggested by calling 302-744-5054. In addition to special programming, the museum is open for visitation and tours from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, and on Sundays from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Daniel Pritchett taught history in Delaware’s Capital School District for 34 years and subsequently, for five years as an adjunct professor at Delaware State University. He presently teaches at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. He is a member of the Lincoln Forum, one of the foremost national organizations dedicated to the study of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.

Dr. Samuel B. Hoff is George Washington Distinguished Professor for the Delaware State Society of the Cincinnati and professor emeritus of history and political science at Delaware State University. He is a nine-time independent candidate for president of the United States.

Completed in 1791, The Old State House is one of the earliest capitol buildings in the nation, serving as the home of Delaware’s legislature until 1933 when the General Assembly moved to larger quarters in Legislative Hall. The venerable structure now appears as it would have in the late 1700s during the United States’ critical early years as an independent country. It features a courtroom, governor’s and county offices and chambers for the state’s Senate and House of Representatives. The building is situated on Dover’s historic Green, a public area designated by William Penn in 1683. The Green is a partner site of the First State National Historical Park.

The Old State House 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.