Tag: Delaware Historical Society Events

Independence in Action!

A day full of adventure, discovery, and revolutionary spirit! No matter your age, experience history during this family-friendly celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of Declaration of Independence.  

Start the afternoon at Old Town Hall with Delaware Shakespeare performing “Embers of Freedom: Independence through the Eyes of Many,” an expansive, performative reading of the Declaration of Independence that weaves in writings from voices that were underrepresented in the original creation of the Declaration.

Following the performance, join us for family-friendly, hands-on activities throughout our Wilmington campus.

  • Make paper and ink from scratch — Try crafting the same materials the Founders used to write and share their boldest ideas.
  • Write like a Revolutionary — Pick up a quill and see if you have what it takes to draft history.
  • Escape Old Town Hall and sign the Declaration — Can you break free and add your name to the most famous document in American history?
  • Revolutionary Espionage — Test your wits in a mission inspired by the secret world of colonial spies.
  • Uncover Revolutionary Artifacts — Go behind the scenes with the Delaware Historical Society to explore revolutionary-era documents from our collections.
  • Learn to protect your family’s treasures — Bring your own family artifacts to the Delaware Historical Society to learn preservation tips and receive assistance scanning them so they can be safely preserved in digital form.

The event is free. Registration is required for the Delaware Shakespeare performance in Old Town Hall at 12 p.m. Register here: https://dhs.givecloud.co/july3

Brewing Change for USA 250

Tea, Boycotts, and the Power of Buying Local

Learn about the history of tea, boycotts during the American Revolution, and how buying local made a difference. Aaron Vederman and Dwayne Foster, co-owners of The Mercury Cafe and Teahouse, will join us to discuss their tea blending process and participants can enjoy their tea in the Read House.

$15/person. Ticket price includes admission to a house tour.
Purchase here.

In Conversation: Caribbean Heritage

The Delaware Historical Society is excited to host In Conversation: Caribbean Heritage on Saturday, June 6 from 3-4 p.m. This discussion will explore the relationship between the United States and the Caribbean, what Caribbean heritage means to our panelists, and how Caribbean history and culture has influenced Delaware’s Black history.

Our In Conversation series is a panel discussion featuring community leaders, officials, and scholars. This program is intended to bring community members and stakeholders together to share ideas and facilitate a conversations about issues relevant to Delawareans.

Tickets $5 or Free for Delaware Historical Society members. Register here: https://dhs.givecloud.co/caribbean-heritage

Revolutionary Spirits

“Huzza!” to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence!

Declaring Independence and starting a revolution are thirsty work! Join the Delaware History Museum and Derrick Kelley, owner of Bin 66 Wine & Spirits in Rehoboth, as we discover (and taste!) what 18th century Patriots drank while plotting to overthrow Great Britain. Admission includes tasting, light bites and spirited discussion.

21+ event.
Tickets: $30 non-members / $25 DHS members
Purchase tickets

In Conversation: A Community Dialogue on Redistricting

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

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.