Tag: Community

In Conversation: A Community Dialogue on Redistricting

NOTE: This program has been moved to Zoom. Link will be provided after registration.

Join the Delaware Historical Society for our next In Conversation event, bringing together local officials, educators, and members of the Redding Consortium for Educational Equity to examine an ever-evolving issue in New Castle County: school redistricting.

Through a thoughtful discussion, our guest speakers will trace the history of school districting in the county—from the early foundations of the school systems, to the major shifts brought about by desegregation efforts, to the present-day conditions that have renewed calls for redistricting.

The program will highlight the key people, places, and decisions that shaped district boundaries and educational policy, offering attendees a clearer understanding of how past choices continue to influence public schools in New Castle County. This conversation invites families, students, educators, and community members to hear directly from those involved in current redistricting efforts and to learn about the historical contexts that got us here today.

Panelists include:

  • Senator Elizabeth Lockman, a graduate of Alexis I. duPont High School, a State Senator representing Delaware’s Third Senate District and a co-chair of the Redding Consortium for Educational Equity.
  • Representative Nnamdi Chukwuocha, a graduate of Delcastle High School and Poet Laureate of Delaware, who represents District 1 in the Delaware House of Representatives and is a member of the Redding Consortium for Educational Equity.
  • Dr. Freeman Williams, a graduate of Christiana High School, a former principal and superintendent of the Christina School District, where he worked for over two decades.
  • Vince Lofink, a graduate of Salesianum, former educator and State Representative for the 27th District who also served on the State’s Board of Education.

Tickets $5. Free for DHS Members and students with ID. Register here: https://dhs.givecloud.co/in-conversation-redistricting
Zoom event. Link will be provided after registration.

A Day in Old New Castle

Come celebrate 50 years of the Delaware Historical Society’s stewardship of the Read House & Gardens at A Day in Old New Castle! Check out our garden construction progress, enjoy a display commemorating our 50th year as a museum, take a self-guided tour of the first floor of the house, and make a family-friendly craft inspired by our historic interiors and gardens!

A Day in Old New Castle is America’s oldest private home and garden tour, held in Historic New Castle, Delaware. Home and garden tours are ticketed, and tickets are available at https://www.historicnewcastle.com/. The town-wide event also features free activities for kids and art contests, Revolutionary War reenactors, performers and music and costumes, markets for food and crafts, and special offers in our unique shops and restaurants.

These Houses Were Homes: 5 Generations of Black Community in Old New Castle

Join us for an immersive learning experience as we walk through Old New Castle and discuss the history and culture of generations of Black families who lived and worked there.

The 2026 tours expand upon Dr. Melissa Benbow Flowers’ research at the Read House on the African American population of Old New Castle with additional source materials, a revamped route and accompanying map, and a special focus on the time period from 1776-1876.

Tickets $25. Register here: https://dhs.givecloud.co/these-houses-were-homes-2026

Space is limited, and advance registration is required. To enhance the enjoyment of all participants, we kindly request that walking tour registrants be at least 12 years old. Please note that the historic neighborhoods in Old New Castle feature uneven walkways that may not be suitable for those needing mobility assistance.

These Houses Were Homes: 5 Generations of Black Community in Old New Castle

Join us for an immersive learning experience as we walk through Old New Castle and discuss the history and culture of generations of Black families who lived and worked there.

The 2026 tours expand upon Dr. Melissa Benbow Flowers’ research at the Read House on the African American population of Old New Castle with additional source materials, a revamped route and accompanying map, and a special focus on the time period from 1776-1876.

Tickets $25. Register here: https://dhs.givecloud.co/these-houses-were-homes-2026

Space is limited, and advance registration is required. To enhance the enjoyment of all participants, we kindly request that walking tour registrants be at least 12 years old. Please note that the historic neighborhoods in Old New Castle feature uneven walkways that may not be suitable for those needing mobility assistance.

These Houses Were Homes: 5 Generations of Black Community in Old New Castle

Join us for an immersive learning experience as we walk through Old New Castle and discuss the history and culture of generations of Black families who lived and worked there.

The 2026 tours expand upon Dr. Melissa Benbow Flowers’ research at the Read House on the African American population of Old New Castle with additional source materials, a revamped route and accompanying map, and a special focus on the time period from 1776-1876.

Tickets $25. Register here: https://dhs.givecloud.co/these-houses-were-homes-2026

Space is limited, and advance registration is required. To enhance the enjoyment of all participants, we kindly request that walking tour registrants be at least 12 years old. Please note that the historic neighborhoods in Old New Castle feature uneven walkways that may not be suitable for those needing mobility assistance.

These Houses Were Homes: 5 Generations of Black Community in Old New Castle

Join us for an immersive learning experience as we walk through Old New Castle and discuss the history and culture of generations of Black families who lived and worked there.

The 2026 tours expand upon Dr. Melissa Benbow Flowers’ research at the Read House on the African American population of Old New Castle with additional source materials, a revamped route and accompanying map, and a special focus on the time period from 1776-1876.

Tickets $25. Register here: https://dhs.givecloud.co/these-houses-were-homes-2026

Space is limited, and advance registration is required. To enhance the enjoyment of all participants, we kindly request that walking tour registrants be at least 12 years old. Please note that the historic neighborhoods in Old New Castle feature uneven walkways that may not be suitable for those needing mobility assistance.

These Houses Were Homes: 5 Generations of Black Community in Old New Castle

Join us for an immersive learning experience as we walk through Old New Castle and discuss the history and culture of generations of Black families who lived and worked there.

The 2026 tours expand upon Dr. Melissa Benbow Flowers’ research at the Read House on the African American population of Old New Castle with additional source materials, a revamped route and accompanying map, and a special focus on the time period from 1776-1876.

Tickets $25. Register here: https://dhs.givecloud.co/these-houses-were-homes-2026

Space is limited, and advance registration is required. To enhance the enjoyment of all participants, we kindly request that walking tour registrants be at least 12 years old. Please note that the historic neighborhoods in Old New Castle feature uneven walkways that may not be suitable for those needing mobility assistance.

Uncover the Past: Transcribing Delaware History

Uncover the past as you help transcribe Delaware history at this community event with Route 9 Library!

This program series, with four dates throughout 2026, gets people involved in transcribing materials from the Delaware Historical Society’s collections. At each program, attendees will get hands-on with local history as they transcribe 2-3 handwritten documents, creating transcriptions that are more readable and accessible for inclusion in our online collection records.

These transcribathons will be hosted at the Route 9 Library in New Castle County from 1-3 p.m. on August 8th and October 31st. Our first two transcribathons sold out — be sure to save your spot today!

Free event. Register here: https://dhs.givecloud.co/transcribing-de-history

Uncover the Past: Transcribing Delaware History

Uncover the past as you help transcribe Delaware history at this community event with Route 9 Library!

This program series, with four dates throughout 2026, gets people involved in transcribing materials from the Delaware Historical Society’s collections. At each program, attendees will get hands-on with local history as they transcribe 2-3 handwritten documents, creating transcriptions that are more readable and accessible for inclusion in our online collection records.

These transcribathons will be hosted at the Route 9 Library in New Castle County from 1-3 p.m. on August 8th and October 31st. Our first two transcribathons sold out — be sure to save your spot today!

Free event. Register here: https://dhs.givecloud.co/transcribing-de-history

Delaware Community Preservation Lab

Free Community Digitization Event

As the United States prepares to mark its 250th anniversary in 2026, the Delaware Historical Society is celebrating what makes Delaware unique: its people, their stories, and the items they hold dear. While traditional archives often focus on famous figures or official records, we believe the most meaningful history is being created every day within Delaware’s communities. That’s why we’re launching the Delaware Community Preservation Lab (DCPL), an interactive program that brings preservation tools and knowledge directly into communities across the state. 

The DCPL will bring together Delaware Historical Society staff, local preservation specialists, photographers, videographers, and digital experts to share simple, practical tips for preserving family and community histories. Our goal is to make preservation easy and accessible, so visitors can replicate these techniques on their own without complicated software or expensive equipment.  

Each three-hour event features interactive stations where participants can: 

  • Consult with community preservation specialists about the condition of the items they bring. 
  • Learn tips for organizing and safely storing ceramics, metals, textiles, and other items. 
  • Access basic rehousing materials (for free!) and receive additional guidance on storing and caring for individual items. 
  • Receive assistance in digitizing flat objects such as photos, letters, or other paper documents with our suite of scanners 
  • Discover how to effectively record and preserve photographs or short videos about objects and stories that matter most 
  • Chat with collections care staff at Delaware Historical Society and learn about our community programs, resources, and collections 

Participants who schedule an appointment at one of our digitization booths will receive a USB drive with their newly digitized files, along with easy-to-follow preservation guides created by Delaware Historical Society collections care staff to help them continue their preservation efforts at home or in their churches and community organizations. 

Visitors can also stop by our Build-Your-Own Preservation Kit Station to customize a kit with archival-quality materials like acid-free tissue paper, folders, Mylar sleeves, and more, ensuring their items are well-protected for the long term. 

We will provide expertise and all necessary equipment for the event. 

Free event, registration required. Register here.

Questions? Check out the FAQ page.