Festive holiday-décor, historical Dutch cookery and mountain music among programs to be featured.

Events include a virtual program on the blizzard of 1888 and a live concert by Musically Generated Organism.

Oral history initiative designed to gather, memorialize and share stories about historically segregated Black and Indigenous beaches in Delaware.

Five of the month's six events celebrate the invaluable contributions that the Black community has made to the culture and history of the United States.

The Delaware Public Archives was proud to unveil its newest State of Delaware Historical Marker on Wednesday, February 3, 2022, in Wilmington, Delaware honoring the Abraham Shadd Family.   A cobbler by day and an abolitionist by night, Abraham Shadd lived in Wilmington, Delaware in the early 19th Century with his family.  Shadd owned several […]

In observance of Black History Month, The Delaware Heritage Commission is proud to present our Book of the Week: African American Education in Delaware: A History Through Photographs 1865-1930 – by Dr. Bradley Skelcher.   You can view a PDF version of this book here.   SYNOPSIS: At the beginning of the twentieth century, it […]

On Wednesday, February 23 at 6:30 p.m., Governor Carney will host a virtual forum on Racial History and Education in Delaware with Dr. Reba Hollingsworth (Delaware Heritage Commission) and Dr. Bradley Skelcher (Professor Emeritus of History at Delaware State University).   This event is coordinated in partnership with the Delaware Heritage Commission, the Delaware Division […]

Continuing our celebration of Black History Month, the Delaware Heritage Commission is proud to present our Book of the Week: “A History of African Americans of Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore” – by Carole C. Marks, Editor   You can view a PDF version of this book here.   SYNOPSIS: The history of African Americans […]

Activities honor and celebrate women's lives and historic achievements.

This week’s Book of the Week is a special partnership with Delaware Historical Society and continues our celebration of Black History Month! “Forging Faith, Building Freedom African American Faith Experiences in Delaware, 1800-1980” – by Constance J. Cooper & Lewis V. Baldwin   You can view and/or download a PDF version of this book here. […]

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Delaware Heritage Commission is proud to present “Beneath Thy Guiding Hand: A History of Women at the University of Delaware” as our Book of the Week. – by noted Delaware historian and history professor Dr. Carol E. Hoffecker!   You can view and/or download a PDF version of […]

  It is with heavy hearts that we observe the passing of Delaware Supreme Court Justice and Historian Randy J. Holland. Justice Holland was appointed to the Delaware Supreme Court in 1986 and served until his retirement in 2017. During his long career, Justice Holland received numerous awards and accolades for his service, wrote several […]

Highlights include a lecture series on the War of 1812 and several Dutch-themed activities.

On view from April 1-29, 2022 Wilmington, Del. (March 30, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents artist Mia Muratori’s exhibition, Painting in the Presence of Change, running April 1 through 29, 2022. Her exhibit will also be part of Art Loop Wilmington — the monthly self-guided tour of art in […]

In 1972, Delaware formed a commission to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the American Revolution. Realizing the need to record, celebrate, and preserve Delaware’s history, this commission was made a permanent institution: the Delaware Heritage Commission. For fifty years, the Commission has worked to educate the public, record our history, and preserve our legacy. History […]

The State of Delaware Historical Markers Program will unveil its newest Historical Marker for the Surf Safety Line at Rehoboth Beach. This dedication will be held on Thursday, April 14th, 2022 at 10:00 AM at: The Bandstand 1 Rehoboth Avenue Rehoboth Beach, Delaware 19971   The Surf Safety Line was a project funded by the […]

(DOVER, Del. — April 18, 2022) — The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring seven special events during the month of May 2022. A full schedule is included below. Except where noted, all programs are free and open to the public. Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs special programs, May […]

During the American Civil War, Delaware was just as divided as the rest of the nation. While being home to abolitionists, Underground Railroad conductors, and many volunteers, Delaware was also a border state and resisted the final termination of slavery. Harold Hancock discusses Delaware’s political climate during the Civil War and the social and economic […]

The foundation of Delaware’s democracy is its General Assembly. A body that has governed both the colony and state of Delaware for over three hundred years, it has been the voice of the people in our government and has affected almost every aspect of our lives. Dr. Carol Hoffecker’s “Democracy in Delaware” discusses the role […]

The history of the Revolutionary War is full of heroes, men like George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette, and Nathanial Greene. Although many have been immortalized in song and verse, others have fallen into obscurity. Allen McLane is one such hero, serving as a soldier, a spy, a statesman, and more. This book, written as a […]

Tours, lectures and Separation Day activities to be featured.

Children ages 10 to 13 are invited to explore the storied past of one of America’s most historic towns during the FREE New Castle History Camp

Independence Day activities, tours and a program on the DeBraak shipwreck to be featured.

Secretary of State Jeff Bullock on Monday announced that Suzanne Savery will lead the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs as its next director after Tim Slavin’s departure on June 30, 2022. Ms. Savery most recently served as the deputy director of the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs and will assume the […]

Piloting, or the navigation of ship, is one of the oldest and most important professions on the North American coast. Traversing unfamiliar shores and unforgiving waters, early American merchant ships heavily relied on skilled pilots to travel safely from port to port. Andrew Knopp’s history, “One Hundred Year History of the Pilot’s Association, Bay and […]

Outdoor events, tours and a lecture on the DeBraak shipwreck to be featured.

This week, the Delaware Heritage Commission is proud to present the first installment in its Oral History series, now available in a digital format. This biographical series tells the stories of some of Delaware’s most notable governors, and we begin this week with Elbert Carvel. Consisting of interviews conducted with the governor between 1976 and […]

Events include lectures, tours and Delaware’s 24th Chautauqua tent show.

Our Oral History continues this week with its fourth installment: Governor Charles Terry. This volume was written by Ned Davis, Governor Terry’s Press Secretary, and contains a study of Governor Terry and his administration, using oral histories, interviews with members of the administration, and Davis’ personal recollections. – by Ned Davis   You can view […]

Series on the War of 1812, Mysteries of History , William Penn Day, concerts and outdoor events to be featured.

Save the date for opportunities to be a partner in crafting a new interpretive plan for the Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site.

Walking tours explore the darker and more unusual aspects of Lewes, Delaware history.

  Wilmington, Del. (October 7, 2022) – At its June 2022 annual board meeting, Delaware Division of the Arts Director Jessica Ball was named by Mid Atlantic Arts as a new board member for the regional arts organization. Mid Atlantic Arts was established in 1979 to promote and support multi-state arts programming in a region […]

An 18th century market fair, concert, tours, historical cuisine and programs celebrating Dutch- and Native-American heritage to be explored.

Holiday activities among the seven programs to be offered.

Concert and Zwaanendael Museum introductory program to be featured.

Eight of the month’s events celebrate the invaluable contributions that the African American community has made to the culture and history of the United States.

The Delaware Public Archives has unveiled a new exhibition in its lobby, “Celebrating African American History in The First State” that features every State of Delaware Historical Marker related to Black history and the significance behind them. “With this display, we honor some oft overlooked accomplishments of Black Delawareans in every area of endeavor of […]

Six events honor and celebrate women's lives and historic achievements.

Dutch poetry, New Castle, Del.’s connection to the Lincoln assassination, and Earth Day programs among the 12 division-sponsored activities in April 2023.

Wilmington, Del. (March 29, 2023) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents 2022 DDOA Individual Artist Fellow Tad Sare’s exhibition, “Projected Perspectives”, running April 7-28, 2023. Guests are invited to attend a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, April 14 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tad Sare is an experimental animator and artist currently living and […]

Dover Days activities, “Life at Sea” and Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site tours among programs to be offered.

Delaware Secretary of State Jeff Bullock issued a statement following Senator Tom Carper’s decision to not seek reelection in 2024: Tom Carper has literally bent the arch of Delaware history. Everywhere you look up and down our state, Tom Carper has had an impact. His body of work is unprecedented, and it continues to grow, […]

GEARING UP FOR THE CELEBRATIONS The State of Delaware hires 250th Anniversary Coordinator The Delaware Heritage Commission and the Delaware Public Archives are pleased to announce the hiring of Ms. Margaret Hughes for the position of The State of Delaware’s 250th Anniversary Coordinator. Ms. Hughes will be responsible for communicating, coordinating, and collaborating with individuals, […]

Derco USA is a Newark, Delaware-based fabricator of custom conveyor belting for various industries, including bakery, agriculture, automotive, and more. The story of how this business grew to national recognition in the industry starts with its owner, Paul O’Connor, and his high personal standard of service. O’Connor served two years in the Army and nine […]

This holiday season the Delaware Public Archives will present an exhibit “Celebrating Emily Bissell: The Christmas Seal Story.” The exhibit chronicles the beginning of Christmas Seals, and presents historic Christmas Seals, scrap books, photographs and documents related to Ms. Bissell’s efforts to foster public interest and gain support to raise funds to battle tuberculosis.

New display shines a spotlight on eighty-nine State of Delaware Historical Markers related to Black History The Delaware Public Archives has unveiled a new exhibition in its lobby, “Celebrating African American History in The First State” that features every State of Delaware Historical Marker related to Black history and the significance behind them. “With this […]

Wilmington, Del. (February 26, 2024) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents Aaron Keith Hoffer’s exhibition, “Unspoken Trajectories,” on view from March 1-28, 2024. Guests are invited to attend a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, March 1 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Hoffer’s show will include dozens of abstract paintings ranging in size from large […]

Attorney General Kathy Jennings released Tuesday the following statement on brutality authorized against protestors in Washington D.C.: I have struggled to find the words for yesterday’s events in Lafayette Square. In a long series of daily outrages and capricious decisions, the violence exacted yesterday against lawful, peaceful protestors is among the most shameful. That lawful Americans […]

Attorney General Kathy Jennings released the following statement regarding Governor Carney’s announcement of a forthcoming executive order on police reform: Governor Carney demonstrated real leadership today. Banning chokeholds, ending the practice of ruining kids’ lives by posting their mugshots online while they are presumed innocent, participating in the national use-of-force database, and implementing greater officer […]