The Delaware Public Archives is happy to present the installation of a NEW Delaware Historical Marker, “Women’s Suffrage in Delaware.”  This Marker remembers the 1920 conference that was held by Sussex County’s members of the General Assembly that heard opinions in support of and against women’s suffrage. This Delaware Historical Marker, the third of four […]

    The Delaware Public Archives & Delaware Heritage Commission are proud to present the installation and unveiling of the “Equal Suffrage Study Club” Historical Marker — the final marker in the series of four Delaware Historical Markers celebrating the centennial of the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United […]

A folk music concert, and programs celebrating Dutch American Heritage Day and National Native American Heritage Month among events/topics to be explored.

Dover, Del—Natural gas prices have spiked in the past six months and are up more than 30 percent since the end of August 2021. This is largely due to increased U.S. demand and the ongoing energy crisis in Europe. According to the Energy Information Administration, about 43 percent of Delaware households rely on natural gas […]

More than fifty-five friends, dignitaries and guests gathered in Lewes, Delaware on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 to celebrate the unveiling of the Delaware Public Archives’ newest marker that commemorates the Block House Pond. Block House Pond, a natural spring-fed pond was named for a nearby blockhouse that was built to protect Lewes in the 1670s. […]

Division of Small Business Launches Request for Proposals (RFP) for Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Industries WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division of Small Business on Monday announced that the State of Delaware will be investing over $7 million as part of the recovery effort in travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation industries.  […]

The Delaware Public Archives was proud to join with Nanticoke Indian Tribe Chief Natosha Norwood Carmine, members of the Delaware General Assembly, and more than 125 guests and friends as they unveiled a new Delaware historical marker on Monday, November 15, 2021. The new Indian Mission School historical marker details the school that was founded […]

Festive holiday-décor, historical Dutch cookery and mountain music among programs to be featured.

Friday, November 26, 2021 DOVER – For the first time in the organization’s history, the Delaware Library Association (DLA) is partnering with libraries across the state to launch a #GivingTuesday campaign to raise funds to support programs and services available at Delaware public libraries. From November 26 through December 2, donors can log on to […]

Museum to add sprinkler system.

Events include a virtual program on the blizzard of 1888 and a live concert by Musically Generated Organism.

Thirty-six arts organizations and 13 artists have received ARP funds Wilmington, Del. (January 5, 2022) – In Fiscal Year 2021, the Division of the Arts received $753,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. With this special award, the Division developed two short-term grant opportunities to help secure […]

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 […]

On view from February 4-25, 2022 Wilmington, Del. (January 31, 2022) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery is pleased to present artist Shari Dierkes’ exhibition, On Display II, from February 4 through February 25, 2022. Dierkes was named a 2021 Emerging Artist Fellow in the category of Crafts by the Delaware Division […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

Activities honor and celebrate women's lives and historic achievements.

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. […]

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Delaware Heritage Commission is proud to present “Beneath Thy Guiding Hand: A History of Women at the University of Delaware” as our Book of the Week. – by noted Delaware historian and history professor Dr. Carol E. Hoffecker!   You can view and/or download a PDF version of […]

In examining Delaware’s environmental past, “Man and Nature” provides a basic description of the extraordinary changes in the state’s natural world over the last four centuries. From the early days of European colonization, during which Delawareans had to overcome and adapt in the face of a strange new land, to the modern era, in which […]

Four-part Old State House Coffee-Hour Lecture Series to take place in April 2022.

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 […]

Highlights include a lecture series on the War of 1812 and several Dutch-themed activities.

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 […]

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 […]

The Delaware Heritage Commission began its long career by commemorating the 200th anniversary of the American Revolution. With the Commission currently making plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Revolution in 2026, we are proud to present “Liberty and Independence”. Originally published by the Commission in 1976 for the Bicentennial, we are proud to […]

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

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. — April 18, 2022) — The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring seven special events during the month of May 2022. A full schedule is included below. Except where noted, all programs are free and open to the public. Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs special programs, May […]

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 […]

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 […]

The history of the Revolutionary War is full of heroes, men like George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette, and Nathanial Greene. Although many have been immortalized in song and verse, others have fallen into obscurity. Allen McLane is one such hero, serving as a soldier, a spy, a statesman, and more. This book, written as a […]

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 […]

The son of a Delaware Revolutionary War veteran, Thomas Macdonough would serve with distinction in the War of 1812. After the climactic Battle of Lake Champlain, Macdonough would go down in history as one of Delaware greatest military heroes. In her biography, Virginia M. Burdick discusses the life and times of Captain Macdonough and tells […]

Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution but possibly the last state to settle its boundaries. Delaware has the distinction of the being the only state with a round border and the only state that lies completely east of the Mason-Dixon Line. Roger E. Nathan’s work discusses how Delaware’s territory changed during the […]

Tours, lectures and Separation Day activities to be featured.

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 […]

The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents artist Samara Weaver’s exhibition, Explorations Through Materiality, running June 3 through 24, 2022. Guests are invited to attend a Meet-the-Artist Reception to be held Friday, June 3, from 5-7 p.m. as part of Art Loop Wilmington. 

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 […]