Division to sponsor 14 special programs during the 2016 winter-holiday season
The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring 14 special events, including eight winter-holiday-themed activities, between Nov. 30, 2016 and Jan. 2, 2017. A full schedule is included below. All programs are free and open to the public.
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016
“Rollin’ on the River.” Lecture by historian Kim Burdick about Revolutionary-War-era life along the Delaware River. Burdick will also have copies of her book “Revolutionary Delaware: Independence in the First State” for sale and autographing. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. 7 p.m. 302-323-4453.
Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016
“Hospitality Night: ‘The Holiday Pickle.’ ” Learn how to make pickles, explore the history of the pickle and its significance to the season and enjoy the museum trimmed for the holidays by the Sussex Gardeners. Presented in partnership with the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 5–8 p.m. 302-645-1148.
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016
“A Victrola for Christmas.” Guided tours examine the holiday marketing-strategies of Eldridge Reeves Johnson of the Victor Talking Machine Company including advertisements posted in newspapers and magazines in the early 1900s, accompanied by 78-rpm recordings of holiday music played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016
“Tour Zwaanendael Museum.” Enjoy the museum’s festive holiday-décor. Event held in conjunction with the Lewes Historical Society’s Christmas Tour of Lewes. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 302-645-1148.
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016
“Handmade for the Holidays.” Seasonal program in which visitors can design a holiday card with watercolors and a quill pen. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016
“Historic Holiday Traditions.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Latecia Prophet examines holiday traditions of the 18th century. First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016
“Listen Up! The Art of Sound.” Local youth working with Delaware spoken-word artists James Alexander, Brock Kalim and the Twin Poets, perform their own spoken-word compositions that sample historic 78-rpm Victor recordings. Part of the “Listen Up!” series that features young people who utilize poetry, theater, dance and song to create compositions that celebrate different aspects of Delaware history. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. Performance at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016
“1784-1787: Continental Congress to Constitution.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Bob Vander Decker. Final segment of “The Founding of America in One Year,” a year-long series that examines important local and national events that led to the founding of the United States. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. 7 p.m. 302-323-4453. NOTE: Event date changed from 12-14-16 to 12-7-16.
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016
“Spirit of Christmas in New Castle.” One of the best preserved Colonial-era towns in America will feature tours of historic homes bedecked in holiday decorations, Dickens-themed holiday activities, re-enactments, programs at museums including the New Castle Court House Museum, crafts, musical entertainment and more. Festivities will conclude at 5 p.m. with the annual Christmas tree lighting at Market Square. Downtown New Castle. 302-328-3279.
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016
Delaware Day awards ceremony. Event honors participants in the Delaware Department of State’s 15th annual Delaware Day Fourth Grade Competition which challenges students to create displays that help illustrate and explain the U.S. Constitution and the role played by Delawareans in the writing and ratification of the nation’s founding document. Delaware Public Archives, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dover. 10 a.m. 302-744-5000.
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016
“Land and Sea Christmas”: Buena Vista Holiday Open House. One-day-only event features tours of one of Delaware’s most historic homes decorated for the holidays plus craft activities for children. Buena Vista Conference Center, 661 S. Dupont Highway (Route 13), New Castle. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 302-323-4430.
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016
Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild. Program explores spinning, weaving, knitting and other fabric arts. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 1–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016
“The Tragic and Heroic Legacy of Jacob Jones.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Kaitlyn Dykes. Part two of “Ship to Shore Saturdays,” a four-part series that chronicles local Lewes history. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Program at 2 p.m. on the museum’s 2nd floor (entry via staircase; no elevator). Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Dec. 9, 2016.
Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016
“Handmade for the Holidays.” Seasonal program in which visitors can create an ornament through paper quilling. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.
Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016
Christmas Eve. All museums of the State of Delaware (the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum) will be closed. 302-744-5054.
Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016
Christmas Day. All museums of the State of Delaware (the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum) will be closed. 302-744-5054.
Monday, Dec. 26, 2016
Christmas Day observed. The following museums of the State of Delaware will be open: The Johnson Victrola Museum and The Old State House, open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. The following museums will be closed: The John Dickinson Plantation, the New Castle Court House Museum and the Zwaanendael Museum. 302-744-5054.
Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017
New Year’s Day. All museums of the State of Delaware (the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum) will be closed. 302-744-5054.
Monday, Jan. 2, 2017
New Year’s Day observed. The following museums of the State of Delaware will be open: The Johnson Victrola Museum and The Old State House, open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. The following museums will be closed: The John Dickinson Plantation, the New Castle Court House Museum and the Zwaanendael Museum. 302-744-5054.