The historic-preservation and museums newsletter of the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.

Jan. 31, 2017 * Volume 10, Issue 1

News

Division releases 2016 annual report

Report demonstrates how the agency is helping to preserve Delaware history and how it is sharing that history with the public.

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African American History Month programs among 17 special events at division museums in February 2017

Highlights include spoken-word poetry, African-American life at the John Dickinson Plantation in the 18th century and a program on jazz pianist "Fats" Waller.

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Dan Davis promoted to Conservation Technician IV

Thirty-one year veteran works in the division’s Horticulture Team.

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Go here for more news items …

Help Save Delaware History

“Cultural Resources Climate Change Strategy”

New report from the National Park Service.

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Historic Jehu Reed House in Delaware Suffers Apparent Damage During Recent Storm

WBOC TV, Salisbury, Md.—Jan. 25, 2017

Property is in a state of collapse.

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State may repurchase historic Weldin House in Brandywine Hundred

News Journal, Wilmington, Del.—Jan. 22, 2017

Repairs needed at the site.

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On 250th anniversary, future care for Mason-Dixon markers in question

Herald-Mail, Hagerstown, Md.—Jan. 21, 2017

Markers indicated the Colonial boundaries of Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

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Gibraltar and Marion Coffin Gardens reflect classic American style

Hockessin Community News, Del.—Jan. 19, 2017

Historic property is in deteriorating condition.

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Brandywine Hundred historic home to become art space

News Journal, Wilmington, Del.—Jan 15, 2017

Site is owned by New Castle County.

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Articles on the designation of the George Read II House as a National Historic Landmark

House built for the son of George Read Sr., a signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

New Castle’s George Read II House Designated National Historic Landmark

TownSquareDelaware.com—Jan. 18, 2017

           

George Read II House Designated a National Historic Landmark

Dover Post, Del.—Jan. 11, 2017

 

Articles on the proposed Gills Neck Village shopping center near Lewes

Concerns raised regarding the project’s proximity to a Native-American burial ground. State law protects unmarked burials.

            Battle Over Shopping Center at Delaware Burial Ground

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, Pa.—Dec. 30, 2016

Protesters: Shopping center would be on burial ground

Delmarva Daily Times, Salisbury, Md.—Dec. 29, 2016

Locals fight for ancient burial ground preservation and clean water

WMDT-TV, Salisbury, Md.—Dec. 27, 2016

“Preserving Our Past for a Better Future: Delaware’s Historic Preservation Plan, 2013–2017”

Document provides a roadmap for focusing on the broad goals and needs of Delaware's preservation community.

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Media Roundup

The following Delaware history-related articles have recently appeared in the media:

Dover Public Library partners with area museums

Delaware State News, Dover, Del.—Jan. 21, 2017

Division’s Dover museums participated in the program.

The stories behind Delaware’s ruins and remnants

News Journal, Wilmington, Del.—Jan. 21, 2017

Article includes information on ruins that can be seen on the New Castle Green.

Olde Christmas tradition continues at Prince George’s Chapel

Sussex County Post, Seaford, Del.—Jan. 19, 2017

Historic division-owned property was built in 1755.

Milford Museum Plans Expansion

Milford LIVE, Del.—Jan. 18, 2017

Former Milford Post Office building is owned by the division.

Winners Chosen in 4th Grade “Delaware Day” Competition

TownSquareDelaware.com—Jan. 6, 2017

Delaware Department of State program encourages students to study the U.S. Constitution.

Master and Curator

Archaeologia Cantiana, Kent County, Del.—Jan. 7, 2017

Blog on the division’s Curator of Archaeology Paul Nasca and the archaeological collections of the State of Delaware.

Work underway to showcase DeVries Monument in Lewes

Cape Gazette, Lewes, Del.—Jan. 6, 2017

Site marks the approximate location of the first European settlement in Delaware.

Thanks, Obama, for all those new national monuments

Daily Kos, Oakland, Ca.—Dec. 26, 2016

Article includes information on the First State National Historical Park.

Articles featuring Lewes’ Zwaanendael Museum

Museum commemorates Delaware's first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch in 1631.

 

Wondering What To Do This Winter in Southern Delaware? Here are 10 Great Options

Cape Gazette, Lewes, Del.—Jan. 17, 2017

10 Southern Delaware Towns; 10 Iconic Symbols

Cape Gazette, Lewes, Del.—Jan. 5, 2017

Events

Saturday, Feb. 4

Marian Anderson: Her Achievements and Contributions – Johnson Victrola Museum

The Old State House: A Network to Freedom – The Old State House

Listen Up! African American History – The Old State House

Saturdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25

A World Apart – John Dickinson Plantation

Friday, Feb. 10, 2017

Concert by Me & My Friend Phyllis. Bluegrass/old-time music. Presented in partnership with the Delaware Friends of Folk and the First State Heritage Park. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 7:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5054.

 

Saturday, Feb. 11

Songs of Love – Johnson Victrola Museum

Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild – John Dickinson Plantation

African-American History: State Historic Preservation in Delaware – The Old State House

Saturday, Feb. 18

Fats Waller: A Man of Many Talents – Johnson Victrola Museum

Laying of Wreath on John Dickinson's Grave – Wilmington Friends Meeting House

Baseball, Churches, and Schools: Delaware's African American History – The Old State House

Buccaneers, Bluebloods and Bonapartes – Zwaanendael Museum

Sunday Feb. 19

Washington vs. Lincoln – The Old State House

Monday, Feb. 20

Presidents Day – Johnson Victrola Museum and The Old State House open. John Dickinson Plantation, New Castle Court House Museum and Zwaanendael Museum closed

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Washington’s Birthday – All museums of the State of Delaware open

Saturday, Feb. 25

Paul Robeson – Johnson Victrola Museum

Preserving African-American History in Delaware: The Green Book – The Old State House

For a comprehensive, long-term calendar of division-sponsored events, go here.

Exhibits and displays

Thru mid-April, 2017

The Old State House: A True Restoration 1976-2016 – The Old State House

Thru August 2017

World War II Through the Lens of William D. Willis – Middletown Historical Society

Ongoing

Discovering Delaware’s Maritime Past – Zwaanendael Museum

Emeline Hawkins: Her Journey from Slavery to Freedom on the Underground Railroad – New Castle Court House Museum

Sculpture by Charles Parks – New Castle Court House Museum

A Seaborne Citizenry: The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World – Zwaanendael Museum

Simple Machines – John Dickinson Plantation

Historical and Cultural Affairs

The historic-preservation and museums newsletter of the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.

Historical and Cultural Affairs is designed to stimulate public interest in the division's museums, programs and services, and to increase awareness of the value that history and historic preservation bring to the lives of Delaware's citizens and visitors. The newsletter is distributed during the last week of each month, via e-mail, to division staff members, Delaware's historical- and preservation-related communities and friends. Please submit relevant articles, news items and suggestions to Jim Yurasek, newsletter editor, at jim.yurasek@state.de.us.

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