Twenty-five Delaware artists to receive recognition Wilmington, Del. (January 13, 2022) – Twenty-five Delaware artists are being recognized by the Division for the high quality of their artwork. Work samples from 132 Delaware choreographers; composers; musicians; writers; and folk, media and visual artists were reviewed by out-of-state arts professionals, considering demonstrated creativity and skill in […]

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

Wilmington, DE – Thursday, January 20, 2022 — YWCA Delaware, in partnership with Delaware Libraries, has launched the Social Equity Championship, an e-interactive statewide social justice contest designed to promote awareness of economic, political and social inequities and provide opportunities for learning and civic engagement. Read YMCA’s Full Press Release to learn more: Press Release […]

Wilmington, Del. (January 26, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts is pleased to announce the launch of the Arts Incubator Project, an assessment, training, and planning initiative built on the principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) for the state’s arts industry with a $1.25 million investment in the initiative. “A diverse […]

The Division will provide up to $400,000 in matching funds to its FY2022 arts organization grantees in conjunction with the event Wilmington, Del. (February 1, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts is proud to support the arts sector through Delaware’s largest day of giving, Do More 24 Delaware, on March 3-4, 2022. For […]

The National Endowment for the Arts grants funding to 567 arts organizations to save jobs and to fund operations and facilities, health and safety supplies, and marketing and promotional efforts Wilmington, Del. (February 2, 2022) – At the end of January, four Delaware arts organizations – Art Works for All, Inc., The Delaware Contemporary, Delaware […]

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 […]

Virtual exhibit explores the history and stories of the Indigenous and African American experience at Delaware’s beaches during the segregation era.

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor Carney and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long on Wednesday announced their support for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s (SAMHSA) Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families. The Governor’s challenge is a national initiative that promotes a coordinated […]

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division of Small Business announced Thursday more than $7.7 million in funding awards to seven organizations as part of the recovery effort for the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation industries.  The funds are part of the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) $750 million American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism […]

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 […]

Today, the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC) released The Final Report assessing the conduct and results of Delmarva Power’s electric Standard Offer Service (SOS) reverse auction process for the 2021-2022 procurement year; the PSC was assisted by its technical consultant, Siemens PTI. Delmarva Power successfully secured all of the outstanding needs for full-requirement service for […]

Funds for Nine Libraries Across the State WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced Thursday $40 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to be distributed to libraries throughout all three counties. The investments are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act Capital Relief Fund, which was championed by Delaware’s Congressional Delegation – U.S. Senators […]

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 […]

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. […]

DOVER, DE (March 1, 2022) – Young Delaware companies in need of funding to help expand their business can now apply to compete for an Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) Grant from the Division of Small Business. The division will be accepting EDGE Grant applications until March 31 from promising early-stage businesses throughout Delaware. […]

The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents artist Colleen Zufelt’s exhibition, Recycle, Repurpose…RE-IMAGINE, showing March 4 through 25, 2022. Her exhibit will also be part of Art Loop Wilmington — the monthly self-guided tour of art in and around the city.

Ten Delaware high school students to compete for the state title and to advance to virtual National Finals MEDIA ADVISORY March 2, 2022 WHAT: Ten Delaware high school students participated in the taped state finals for Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest that will premiere on the Delaware Division of the Arts’ YouTube channel. The […]

Wilmington, Del. (March 10, 2022) – From a field of ten Delaware high school students, Natalie Kim Ramos, a senior from Saint Mark’s High School, earned the title of 2022 Poetry Out Loud Delaware State Champion at the virtual state finals held on March 10. The first runner-up was Kai Schmiedel from Delaware Valley Classical […]

Delaware’s History stretches back almost four hundred years, with its first European settlers landing long before it became the First State. By the time the American Revolution ended, Delaware had been ruled by three different kingdoms and had endured several major conflicts. In “Colonial Delaware: A History”, John A. Munroe examines Delaware’s rich history, from […]

  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 […]

During the past decade, the world has mourned the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I as well as celebrated the 100th anniversary of its conclusion. It was a conflict that would change the world forever and consume the lives of millions of people. Francis A. Ianni, a retired Major General in the […]

NEW CASTLE, DE (March 28, 2022) – The Council on Development Finance (CDF) on Monday approved eight Site Readiness Fund project applications totaling $6.2 million. The projects are located throughout the state with three each in New Castle County and Kent County and two in Sussex County. Established through Senate Bill 127, the Site Readiness […]

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 […]

Another publication from the Bicentennial of the American Revolution, Dr. Carol Hoffecker’s comprehensive guide to Delaware’s history was one of the Heritage Commission’s first projects. This book is a valuable resource for those interested in the long history of the First State. Delaware: The First State – by Dr. Carol Hoffecker   You can view […]

Dover, Del.—Secretary of State Jeff Bullock announced on Friday that Jordan Schulties, Director of the Division of Small Business, and Tim Slavin, Director of the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, will depart from their roles to embark on new journeys at the Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) and Fort Dupont Redevelopment & […]

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 […]

Wilmington, Del.— The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia and Export Delaware announce, “Selling to the World, Growing a Vibrant, Inclusive, and Connected Economy for Greater Philadelphia” a program to expand small business exports that feature a new Global Supplier Diversity Initiative to support minority- and women-owned businesses. For the first time, minority- and women-owned […]

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 […]

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Division of Small Business launched SizeUpDelaware this week, making powerful market research and business intelligence available to small businesses to help them succeed. Small business owners in Delaware can now access industry-specific and hyperlocal information to help them grow and make smarter decisions using Big Data analysis. The research is individually […]

Since the public announcement of Dolly’s arrival in Delaware last week, more than 1,000 Delaware children have been signed up for the Imagination Library. As of last week, over 21,000 Delaware children are enrolled in the program.

For Immediate Release | May 11, 2022 (Milford, DE) – Delaware Libraries invite local families to the Milford Public Library, 11 SE Front St, Milford, DE 19963, on Wednesday, May 11 at 11:00am to celebrate the arrival of a new interactive, literacy tool for children. The Toniebox, a reading device for preschoolers and elementary school […]

Day-long series of activities on May 21, 2022 explores the 1798 sinking of HMS DeBraak.

The Office of Veterans Services and the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs have scheduled two events in observance of Memorial Day. As in previous years, OVS and the Commission will host ceremonies on separate days. The first will take place on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Day Cemetery in Bear. The […]

When Pete DuPont was elected governor in 1977, Delaware was facing and severe economic downturn, substantial budget deficits, and the second-highest unemployment rate in the nation. Despite these challenges, the DuPont administration would achieve long-lasting solutions to the State’s woes and improve the lives of Delaware’s citizens. Larry Nagengast’s history of the DuPont administration is […]

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

The month of June is Caribbean-American Heritage Month—a month dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of June 2019, the Caribbean-American population of the U.S. was more than 13 million. “Caribbean Americans have […]

William Hare operated the largest pottery business in Delaware, despite not having a large, industrialized operation. Christopher Espenshade’s study of Hare’s work provides insight into Delaware’s pottery industry, 19th-century changes in pottery products, and the development of the modern city of Wilmington. William Hare: Master Potter of Wilmington, Delaware, 1839-1885 – by Christopher Espenshade   […]

Museum honored for its project “Search, Discovery, and Interpretation of the African Burial Ground at the John Dickinson Plantation.”

With an introduction by Heritage Commission Chair Richard Carter, the journals of Reverend Wells provide a unique perspective on life in Sussex County at the turn of the century. Wells’ original journals still exist and can be viewed at the at the Delaware Public Archives. The Journals of the Reverend Lewis Wheeler Wells, Rector of […]

Delaware’s Coastal Defenses, tells the stories of two of Delaware’s longest-standing coastal forts: Fort Saulsbury, built during the Second World War and used as a prisoner-of-war camp, and Fort Miles, a location that has played a role in our state’s defense since the Revolutionary War, and the men who served and defended our shores. – […]

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 […]

The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents artist Forest Allread’s exhibition, Smorgasbord, running July 1 through 29, 2022.

Originally written by the Federal Writers Project as part of their classic “American Guide” series, this reprint depicts history, life, travel, and recreation in Delaware as it was in 1938. Including a full-size replica of the original tour map, this comprehensive guide includes art and engravings of various historic locations, dozens of vintage photos, and […]

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 […]

Originally published by the Heritage Commission in 1988, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the ratification of the Constitution, the Delaware Heritage Cookbook is a collection of traditional, Delaware recipes, submitted by families from all over the First State. Now available digitally for the first time, we invite you to join us in celebrating Delaware’s […]

This year the Division will invest nearly $3 million in more than 100 arts and community organizations WILMINGTON, DEL. (July 15, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts is investing nearly $3 million in more than 110 arts and community organizations that will serve Delawareans statewide with arts programming and services, arts education, and […]