Tag: Wilmington

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

From the Vault: Revolutionary Singalong

Warm up your voice and tap your toes! Join us as we explore an 18th century songbook from the Delaware Historical Society’s archives. Experience the music of the American Revolution as we discover lively marches and catchy songs that lifted spirits and kept people moving during the Revolutionary Era. Singing and dancing are optional but always encouraged.

$10 a person, Free for members. Registration required. Register here: https://dhs.givecloud.co/revolutionary-singalong

Celebrate Delaware’s King Gambrinus Day

Raise a glass to Delaware’s craft brewing community—and to the legendary King of Beer himself—at Delaware’s King Gambrinus Day, a spirited annual celebration of the First State’s brewing culture. Hosted by the Delaware Historical Society in partnership with the Friends of Delaware’s Gambrinus Statue and Wilmington Brew Works, this special evening brings together local history, craft beer, and community pride.

Join us on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 PM in the Alamo Room at Wilmington Brew Works, Wilmington for this entertaining and tasty event.

The evening begins with guest registration, relaxed mingling, and a statewide toast to Delaware craft beverage makers at 6:30 PM. Then enjoy an engaging presentation exploring the legend of Gambrinus—the mythical patron king of beer—and his enduring connection to Delaware’s brewing heritage, along with an update on the King Gambrinus statue restoration project. The event concludes with a final taproom toast.

Ticket includes a logo tasting glass, two 9-ounce beer pours, light fare, and the presentation.

Proceeds from the event benefit Restore the King, the effort to return Delaware’s historic King Gambrinus statue to public display.

Price: $15

Registration Link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/delawares-king-gambrinus-day-celebration

January in Conversation: Commemorating 250 Years of Delaware

*EVENT UPDATE: Due to the forecast for winter weather, this event will be held virtually via Zoom on January 26, 2026 from 6-8 p.m. If you already registered for the event, the sign-on information was sent to the email attached to your registration. If you have not yet registered, please use the link below. The Zoom information will be included with your confirmation. Thank you, and stay safe!

Join local and state leaders for a dynamic conversation about the state’s 250th anniversary — what it means, what’s coming up this year and beyond, and how you can take part. 

Panelists include:
Tina Betz, Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Wilmington
Molly Giordano, Executive Director of the Delaware Art Museum
Erik Raser-Schramm, Director of Delaware 250
Shysheika Edwards, Executive Director of the Christina Cultural Arts Center

Moderated by Delaware Historical Society Executive Director Ivan Henderson.

Tickets $5. Purchase here: https://dhs.givecloud.co/january-conversation-commemorating-de-250

Rediscovering Wilmington’s Washington Memorial Bridge

Once seen as a manifestation of America’s pride in its industrial might and beautiful infrastructure, the Washington Memorial Bridge has largely been forgotten since it was dedicated to the Delaware public in 1922.

Recently, Wilmington architect James Tevebaugh, AIA spearheaded an effort to “rediscover” this National Register masterpiece and renew civic pride and regional attention to the bridge. As part of this initiative, the bridge commission’s final report to the Delaware legislature and a dedication day scrapbook produced by Community Service have been digitized and are available from the Delaware Public Archives.

Tevebaugh will present a talk and graphic exhibit featuring excerpts from the commission’s report and photographs from the dedication day ceremony and accompanying pageant.

Free event. Registration required.

 

About James Tevebaugh:

James Tevebaugh holds a BA degree from Colgate University, ’61, and his architectural MA from the University of Pennsylvania, ’64. The Architectural firm, Tevebaugh Associates, now Tevebaugh Architecture was founded in 1987 and has enjoyed a multi-state reputation for urban planning and design for both public and private commissions. In 2007, Jim founded The Friends of Furness Railroad District, 501 (c) (3) which has performed continuously to promote Wilmington’s historic Gateways.