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   […]

George Alfred Townsend, known by his pen-name Gath, was one of Delaware’s most famous writers of the 19th century. Born the son of a Methodist pastor in Georgetown, Townsend would work as a war correspondent during the Civil War, write for several newspapers, and publish several books, both fictional and biographical. Many of Gath’s works […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

“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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

Three-part series explores America’s second war with Great Britain.

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.

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

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

Funding will link library collections, broaden student access to books and materials DOVER – Students will gain greater access to quality books through school libraries across Delaware with a $1 million state investment announced Tuesday by House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst and officials from the Delaware Library Consortium. The funds, allocated to the Delaware Division […]

Holiday activities among the seven programs to be offered.

Aumento de tarifa es uno de los más grandes solicitados por la empresa El 15 de diciembre de 2022, Delmarva Power presentó una solicitud ante la Comisión de Servicios Públicos para aumentar sus tarifas de distribución eléctrica en $72,3 millones. De conformidad con la ley estatal, este aumento entrará en vigencia de manera temporal el […]

Concert and Zwaanendael Museum introductory program to be featured.

Series highlights important parts of Black history in Delaware, and pioneering African American artists of rhythm and blues, soul, and rock and roll music.

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.

ing with Palladium”, running February 3-24, 2023. Guests are invited to attend a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, February 3 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Roger Matsumoto has […]

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.

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 […]

Day-long series of activities to highlight archaeological investigations, historical research and related topics for the state and surrounding areas.

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

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

The Office of Veterans Services (OVS) and the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs (DCVA) have scheduled two events in observance of Memorial Day. As in previous years, OVS and DCVA will host ceremonies on separate days. The first will take place on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Ceremony in Bear, Delaware. […]

Wilmington, Del. (June 6, 2023) – The Delaware Division of the Arts is pleased to announce that Dr. JoAnn Balingit has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award in Literature: Creative Writing to the Philippines for the 2023-2024 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Dr. JoAnn Balingit […]

New Castle County Libraries is one of 62 organizations nationwide selected to receive a 2023-2024 NEA Big Read grant. A grant of $20,000 will support a community reading program focusing on "The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir" by Thi Bui between September 2023 and March 2024. An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the power of a shared reading experience.

Are you looking to sell to the Caribbean? Join Export Delaware for a webinar on November 9, 2023, at 10 AM to learn how to launch, grow, and accelerate your brand in the Caribbean.   REGISTER HERE   On this interactive webinar, Richard Zurba will share practical business applications and opportunities on how to do […]

This holiday season the Delaware Public Archives will present an exhibit “Celebrating Emily Bissell: The Christmas Seal Story.” The exhibit chronicles the beginning of Christmas Seals, and presents historic Christmas Seals, scrap books, photographs and documents related to Ms. Bissell’s efforts to foster public interest and gain support to raise funds to battle tuberculosis.

The Delaware Division of the Arts Mezzanine Gallery presents Constanza (Cony) Madariaga’s exhibition, “The Knowing,” on view from February 2-24, 2024. Guests are invited to attend a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, February 2 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The title of Madariaga’s show is a reference to a Jay-Z quote that resonated with the artist. In an […]

Delaware 250 Grants for Museums, Heritage Groups, and Non-Profits Notice of Funding Opportunity   About Delaware 250 The year 2026 will see the United States Semiquincentennial, the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of America’s (and Delaware’s) independence. This anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on Delaware’s unique history and its contributions over the course of […]

New display shines a spotlight on eighty-nine State of Delaware Historical Markers related to Black History 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 […]

Wilmington, Del. (February 26, 2024) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery presents Aaron Keith Hoffer’s exhibition, “Unspoken Trajectories,” on view from March 1-28, 2024. Guests are invited to attend a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, March 1 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Hoffer’s show will include dozens of abstract paintings ranging in size from large […]

Twenty Delaware artists receive significant award from the Delaware Division of the Arts   Dover, Del. (April 22, 2024) – The Biggs Museum of American Art has opened the exhibition, Award Winners XXIV, marking the 24th consecutive year of hosting this exhibition in partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts. Showcasing the exceptional work […]

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the State of Delaware announced Friday a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) setting forth information sharing procedures between the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Delaware Department of Justice. This MOU is intended to: Promote the sharing of certain U.S. economic sanctions-related information between OFAC and the […]

Claims include Negligent Failure to Warn, Trespass, Nuisance and Consumer Fraud Act violations Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Thursday that Delaware is suing 31 fossil fuel companies on behalf of the state’s residents and businesses to hold them accountable for decades of deception about the role their products play in causing climate change, the harm […]