Independence Day activities, tours and a program on the DeBraak shipwreck to be featured.

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 […]

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 […]

Outdoor events, tours and a lecture on the DeBraak shipwreck to be featured.

MILFORD, Del. (July 21, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Small Business recognized 10 small businesses Thursday as winners of the fifth round of Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) grants. Awardees in the latest round of the competition include a company that created a resorbable vascular stent, a Puerto Rican inspired bakery, an outdoor […]

“Reminiscence Of A Town That Thought It Would Be A Metropolis: Delaware City, Delaware” presents reminiscences of the late William O. Wingate, who lived in Delaware City and was born in the last quarter of the the nineteenth century. Wingate’s writings were found in the local collection of the Delaware City Library and provides a […]

  Delaware Division of the Arts Winners to be Exhibited at CAMP Rehoboth   WILMINGTON, DEL. (July 29, 2022) – Works by the Delaware Division of the Arts award winners will be exhibited from Monday, August 1, to Monday, September 5, at CAMP Rehoboth located at 37 Baltimore, Ave., Rehoboth Beach. A winners reception is […]

This week, the Delaware Heritage Commission is proud to present the first installment in its Oral History series, now available in a digital format. This biographical series tells the stories of some of Delaware’s most notable governors, and we begin this week with Elbert Carvel. Consisting of interviews conducted with the governor between 1976 and […]

DOVER, Del. (August 1, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Small Business announced today that it is now accepting applications for the Site Readiness Fund from qualified businesses or local governments. Established through Senate Bill 127, the fund promotes economic growth and stability by investing in the development or improvement of commercial and industrial sites […]

This week we continue the Delaware Heritage Commission’s Oral History Series with Governor Sherman W. Tribbitt. Compiled using interviews conducted with Tribbitt and his colleagues, this book details the accomplishments and controversies of the governor’s administration. – by Roger A. Martin   You can view and/or download a PDF version of this book here.   […]

Continuing our Oral History series, this week’s Heritage Commission’s Book of the Week is, Russell W. Peterson: Governor of Delaware, 1969-1973. A reformer and an energetic leader, you can read for yourself the story of Peterson’s administration in the words of those who made it a success. – by Christopher L. Perry   You can […]

Events include lectures, tours and Delaware’s 24th Chautauqua tent show.

Our Oral History continues this week with its fourth installment: Governor Charles Terry. This volume was written by Ned Davis, Governor Terry’s Press Secretary, and contains a study of Governor Terry and his administration, using oral histories, interviews with members of the administration, and Davis’ personal recollections. – by Ned Davis   You can view […]

DOVER, DE (August 30, 2022) – Young Delaware companies in need of funding to help expand their business can apply beginning Thursday, September 1, 2022, 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 September 1 through September 30 […]

Delaware’s history can be found all around us, not only in textbooks, but in the buildings and homes that we live and work in. Our state’s architecture has been influenced by several hundred years of growth, development, and cultural exchange, and many of these historic buildings are still standing in our towns and communities. George […]

In this monograph, Catherine Adams Masek examines the life and times of the Adams family and the farm they’ve lived on for seven generations. In fact, the farm has been continuously operated by the same family since 1862! Including original family photographs, this is an incredible story of family and tradition, through the lens of […]

The Delaware Secretary of State’s Office will be accepting nominations for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award beginning on Monday, September 12, 2022. The award recognizes a gifted, civic-minded young Delawarean who has demonstrated leadership abilities, has a passion for social justice, and is improving the quality of life in their community. “John Lewis was […]

Series on the War of 1812, Mysteries of History , William Penn Day, concerts and outdoor events to be featured.

Dover, Del.—Natural gas prices have continued to increase this year and are up nearly 60 percent year to date. This is largely due to increased U.S. demand and the ongoing energy crisis in Europe. According to the Energy Information Administration, about 42 percent of Delaware households rely on natural gas for home heating. “Due to […]

Save the date for opportunities to be a partner in crafting a new interpretive plan for the Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site.

High school students in Delaware invited to compete in national poetry recitation contest,

  On view from October 7-November 4, 2022   Wilmington, Del. (September 28, 2022) – The works by the Delaware Division of the Arts Award Winners are appearing at Cab Calloway School of the Arts from October 7 to November 4, 2022, with a reception on Friday, October 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. Special […]

Walking tours explore the darker and more unusual aspects of Lewes, Delaware history.

  Wilmington, Del. (October 7, 2022) – At its June 2022 annual board meeting, Delaware Division of the Arts Director Jessica Ball was named by Mid Atlantic Arts as a new board member for the regional arts organization. Mid Atlantic Arts was established in 1979 to promote and support multi-state arts programming in a region […]

Dover, Del.—Delaware schools, nonprofits, and community organizations are invited to apply for a new round of state grant funds to support financial literacy education for people from all walks of life. Since the state’s Financial Literacy Education Fund (FLEF) was established in 2010, over $2.5 million has been awarded to dozens of organizations across the […]

An 18th century market fair, concert, tours, historical cuisine and programs celebrating Dutch- and Native-American heritage to be explored.

Holiday activities among the seven programs to be offered.

For arts programming and projects taking place during fiscal year 2024 (September 2023 – August 2024)   Wilmington, Del. (December 2, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts has opened its annual online application process for grants for arts programming and projects taking place during fiscal year 2024 (September 2023 – August 2024). Applications […]

Concert and Zwaanendael Museum introductory program to be featured.

  The prestigious Individual Artist Fellowships from the Delaware Division of the Arts recognize artists in a variety of disciplines for their outstanding quality of work and provide monetary awards.   Wilmington, Del. (January 17, 2023) – Seventeen Delaware artists are being recognized by the Delaware Division of the Arts for the high quality of […]

Eight of the month’s events celebrate the invaluable contributions that the African American community has made to the culture and history of the United States.

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Division of Small Business recognized 10 small businesses Wednesday as winners of the sixth round of Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) grants. Awardees in the latest round of the competition include a company that created an app for parents to track school buses, a beer garden, an apiary, and an […]

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 6, 2023) – 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 2-3, 2024. […]

Wilmington, Del. (February 8, 2023) – Following a three year hiatus, Delaware’s Poetry Out Loud State Finals returns for the first in-person competition since 2020. The recitation contest will be hosted at the Smyrna Opera House on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 7:00pm. Twelve student finalists will compete for the opportunity to represent Delaware and […]

The Delaware Public Archives has unveiled a new exhibition in its lobby, “Celebrating African American History in The First State” that features every State of Delaware Historical Marker related to Black history and the significance behind them. “With this display, we honor some oft overlooked accomplishments of Black Delawareans in every area of endeavor of […]

Six events honor and celebrate women's lives and historic achievements.

More than 200 state employees and their family members have registered to show artwork at Delaware State University Art Center/Gallery   Dover, Del. (February 22, 2023) – The Delaware Division of the Arts is hosting the 12th annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition. The free exhibition will be open to the public from February 21 […]

Secretary of State Jeff Bullock announced that Karelin Torres was selected to receive the prestigious 2022 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award. The award, in honor of the late Congressman John Lewis, recognizes a gifted, civic-minded young Delawarean who has demonstrated leadership abilities, has a passion for social justice, and is improving the quality of life in their community.

Wilmington, Del. (March 3, 2023) – From a field of twelve Delaware high school students, Maiss Hussein, a junior from Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School, earned the title of 2023 Poetry Out Loud Delaware State Champion at the state finals held on March 2 at the Smyrna Opera House. The first runner-up was […]

On Wednesday, the Delaware Public Service Commission approved a 23% decrease in Delmarva Power’s natural gas costs, effective April 1st. On Friday, February 24, 2023, Delmarva Power filed an application to amend its Gas Cost Rate (GCR) due to a warmer-than-expected winter and lower-than-forecasted natural gas prices over the past several months. The GCR represents […]

Dutch poetry, New Castle, Del.’s connection to the Lincoln assassination, and Earth Day programs among the 12 division-sponsored activities in April 2023.

Wilmington, Del. (March 29, 2023) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents 2022 DDOA Individual Artist Fellow Tad Sare’s exhibition, “Projected Perspectives”, running April 7-28, 2023. Guests are invited to attend a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, April 14 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tad Sare is an experimental animator and artist currently living and […]

Dover Days activities, “Life at Sea” and Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site tours among programs to be offered.

Washington, DC and Chicago, IL — After two years of virtual competitions, the Poetry Out Loud® National Finals are returning to Washington, DC, this Spring, May 9–10, 2023, and will be streamed live at Arts.gov/Poetry-Out-Loud. This annual event brings together high school students from across the country who memorize and recite classic and contemporary poems, […]

Free one-day-only affair showcases one of Delaware’s most historic estates.

Delaware Secretary of State Jeff Bullock issued a statement following Senator Tom Carper’s decision to not seek reelection in 2024: Tom Carper has literally bent the arch of Delaware history. Everywhere you look up and down our state, Tom Carper has had an impact. His body of work is unprecedented, and it continues to grow, […]