Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs to sponsor 19 special programs during April 2016

The writings of Edgar Allan Poe will be explored at The Old State House on April 2.

(DOVER, Del.—March 11, 2016)—During the month of April 2016, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be offering 19 special programs at sites across the state. Except for the April 17 lecture at the Hale-Byrnes House, all programs are free and open to the public.

Highlights of the month include “An Afternoon with Edgar Allan Poe,” an interactive program featuring portrayals of characters from the author’s short stories “The Raven” and “The Tell-Tale Heart,” plus readings of selected poems. The program will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 2 at The Old State House located at 25 The Green in Dover.  Due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-744-5054.

Delaware’s long-standing connection to the Netherlands—which stretches back in time to the state’s first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch in 1631 in present-day Lewes—will be explored in three programs that will take place at the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes.

From Thursday to Saturday, April 7 to 16, the museum will feature Dutch games, crafts and a display of Delftware ceramics as part of the Lewes Tulip Celebration, a city-wide series of activities celebrating Lewes’ Dutch roots. On Saturday, April 16, the museum will celebrate Dutch-American Friendship Day which commemorates April 19, 1782, the day that John Adams, who would later become the second president of the United States, was received by the States General in The Hague and recognized as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America. It was also the day that the house he had purchased at Fluwelen Burgwal 18 in The Hague was to become the first American embassy in the world. Finally, on Saturday, April 30, the museum will present King’s Day, a celebration of the birthday of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.

“Landing of the DeVries Colony at Swaanendael, Lewes, Delaware 1631” by Stanley M. Arthurs. Courtesy of the permanent collection of the University of Delaware. Delaware’s Dutch heritage will be explored in three programs at the Zwaanendael Museum during April 2016.

Lastly, the Delaware Quilt Documentation Project, a collaboration between the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs and the University of Delaware, will be holding a quilt documentation day on Saturday, April 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Lewes Presbyterian Church located at 133 Kings Highway in Lewes. Owners of quilts made before 1950 are encouraged to bring their quilts to this session which is designed to record the rich tradition of quilt-making in Delaware.

Volunteers cataloging a quilt at an earlier Quilt Harvest Day.

Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs special programs, April 2016

Saturday, April 2, 2016

“Lyrics That Make You Laugh.” Humorous songs have been popular since the beginning recorded sound. Guided tours will spotlight these delightful tunes accompanied by 78-rpm recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Saturday, April 2, 2016

“An Afternoon with Edgar Allan Poe.” Experience Poe’s writings in this interactive program which features portrayals of characters from “The Raven” and “The Tell-Tale Heart” plus readings of selected poems. First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-744-5054.

Wednesday April 6, 2016

“1770–1773: Early in the Revolutionary Decade.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Bob Vander Decker. Part four of “The Founding of America in One Year,” a year-long series that examines important local and national events that led to the founding of the United States. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. 7 p.m. 302-323-4453.

Wednesdays April 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2016

“Watercolor Wednesdays.” Explore the hues of the John Dickinson mansion, learn about 18th-century paint colors and paint a scene. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

“His Majesty’s Sloop DeBraak.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Tom Pulmano explores the DeBraak, a British warship that was escorting and protecting a convoy of British and American merchant ships en route to the United States when it was capsized and lost off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798. Part two of the four-part Coffee-Hour Lecture Series. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 5:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Thursday–Saturday, April 7–16, 2016

Lewes Tulip Celebration. City-wide series of activities including tours and displays at the Zwaanendael Museum. Sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. Downtown Lewes. 302-645-8073.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Literary Reading. Featuring Delaware writers Liz Dolan, Larry Kelts, Maria Masington, Phillip Bannowsky, Jim Bourey and more. Part of the statewide Delaware Literary Reading Series 2016. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Program at 1 p.m. on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than April 8, 2016.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild. Program explores spinning, weaving, knitting and other fabric arts. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 1–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

“A Night of Delaware Poetry.” In celebration of National Poetry Month, historic-site interpreter Courtney Lynahan will explore the lives and read poems of esteemed Delaware poets including Solomon Gibbs. Part three of the four-part Coffee-Hour Lecture Series. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 5:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Dutch-American Friendship Day. Discover Delaware's Dutch roots and learn how that connection is alive today. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

“Marquette Shaw: A Delaware Poet for All Seasons.” Poet, singer, dancer and actor, Marquette Shaw will entertain audiences with his unique rendition of all things Delaware. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-744-5054.

Sunday, April 17, 2016

“Documenting Historic Structures: John Dickinson Plantation.” Lecture by Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs historian Madeline Dunn on the home of the “Penman of the Revolution.” Part one of the series, “This Place Matters: Talks About Delaware Places and Spaces,” presented in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Hale-Byrnes House, 606 Stanton-Christiana Road, Newark. 4–6 p.m. Admission charge includes refreshments. 302-543-5723.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

“Who is Louis McLane?” Program by historic-site interpreter Tom Welch on Delaware native Louis McLane, the son of a Revolutionary War hero who served in the administrations of multiple U.S. presidents. Final segment of the four-part Coffee-Hour Lecture Series. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 5:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Friday, April 22, 2016

Earth Day at the John Dickinson Plantation. Special guided tours explore environmental issues of deforestation, salt-water infiltration and coastal flooding from an 18th-century perspective. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Activities 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Saturday, April 30, 2016

King’s Day. Celebration of the birthday of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in a program that will also explore royal titles and Delaware's Dutch connection. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Quilt Documentation Day. Owners of quilts made before 1950 are encouraged to bring their quilts to this session which is designed to record Delaware’s rich tradition of quilt-making. Sponsored by the Delaware Quilt Documentation Project. Lewes Presbyterian Church, 133 Kings Highway, Lewes. 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. 302-739-6402.

Exhibits and displays, April 2016
In addition to special programming, the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is sponsoring the following exhibits and displays:

Closed Feb. 21, 2016

“World War II Through the Lens of William D. Willis.” Designed by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the display features photographs taken in Western Europe from 1943-45. From the collections of the State of Delaware. Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Ave., Dover. Limited visitation hours; call 302-739-9194 before planning a visit. Note: This display has closed.

Closed March 19, 2016

“Delaware and the War of 1812.”Exhibit examines the service and sacrifice of Delawareans of 1812 to 1815, and the important role that the state played in a conflict that helped shaped the development of the United States. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. April 1–Oct. 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. Nov. 1–March 31: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148. Note: This exhibit has closed.

April 2–Dec. 31, 2016

“Wine and Spirits in Delaware: Producing, Preserving, and Presenting.” Exhibit features objects and graphics from the 18th to the 21st centuries that illustrate Delaware’s wine and spirits trade. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. April 1–Oct. 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. Nov. 1–March 31: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.

Thru April 17, 2016

“Delaware Mourns Lincoln: A Demonstration of Love and Sorrow.” Utilizing graphics, clothing and memorabilia, the display explores how Delawareans expressed their deep sorrow upon the death of President Abraham Lincoln on April 15, 1865. From the collections of the State of Delaware. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Mon.–Sat., 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Thru mid-June 2016

“Called to Service: Women’s Roles During World War II.” Designed by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the display highlights the contributions of women serving in the army nursing corps and as nurse cadets during World War II. Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Ave., Dover. Limited visitation hours; call 302-739-9194 before planning a visit.

Ongoing

“Discovering Delaware’s Maritime Past.” Display explores the DeBraak, a shipwrecked 18th-century British warship including a photo of the hull recovery, reproductions of items aboard ship, and a model of the vessel. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. April 1–Oct. 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. Nov. 1–March 31: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.

Ongoing

“Emeline Hawkins: Her Journey From Slavery to Freedom on the Underground Railroad.” Exhibit chronicles the compelling story of Emeline Hawkins and her family and their 1845 odyssey on the Underground Railroad from slavery in Maryland, through Delaware to freedom in Pennsylvania. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.

Ongoing

Sculpture by Charles Parks. Display of works by the noted Wilmington artist featuring historical and political figures including a Minute Man, and presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and George W. Bush. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.

Ongoing

“A Seaborne Citizenry: The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World.” Exhibit utilizes artifacts recovered from His Majesty’s Sloop of War DeBraak, a British warship that sank off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798 to tell the story of the vessel, its crew and the historical context within which it operated in the Atlantic World of the late 18th century. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. April 1–Oct. 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. Nov. 1–March 31: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.

Ongoing

“Simple Machines.” Exhibit demonstrating the six “simple machines”—incline ramp, screw, wedge, pulley, lever and wheel—that constitute the elementary building blocks of which many more-complicated machines are composed. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. April 1–Sept. 30: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. Oct. 1–March 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

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 and heritage. The division’s diverse array of services includes administration of the state historic preservation office, operation of museums and a conference center, conservation of the state’s archaeological and historic-objects collections and management of historic properties across Delaware. 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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