Celebrate Black History Month at the Delaware Historical Society!

The Delaware Historical Society’s, Mitchell Center for African American Heritage announces a month of free programming with a focus on black history!

All events take place at the Mitchell Center, 504 North Market Street Wilmington, DE.

All events are FREE.

Thursday February 15, 2018 - 6 p.m.

Race, Poverty and Delaware Public Education: Policies, Outcomes and Prospects – Part II

 What impact has a racially segregated educational system had on Delaware?  Share your experiences, perspectives and questions at the Delaware Historical Society ‘s Mitchell Center for African American History panel discussion, Race, Poverty and Delaware Public Education: Policies, Outcomes and Prospects.  Elizabeth Lockman, Director of the Parent Advocacy Council for Education (PACE), will facilitate a conversation with Dorrell Green, Director, DOE Office of Innovation and Improvement, and Shana Payne, Director, DOE Office of Higher Education.

FREE Admission – FREE Parking.

Ms. Anna B. Comegys, teacher, 1947

Photo: Delaware Historical Society Archives

February 24, 2018 – 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Family Saturday: Black History Month

We’re turning our whole museum into a playground where children (ages 5 and up) can learn more about African American culture through games, storytelling and crafts. 

Parents and grandparents (and anyone who is young at heart) are invited to take advantage of free admission and explore our new permanent and rotating exhibitions, including Journey to Freedom, that illustrate the unique contributions and experiences of people of African descent in Delaware history.  

Free Admission Courtesy PNC Bank.

Photo: Delaware Historical Society Archives

And in March….

Family Saturday March 10, 2018  - 1:30 p.m.

Celebrating Harriet Tubman Day: Seeking Freedom on the Underground Railroad.

Families can discover what is was like to seek freedom on the Underground Railroad through hands-on activities including writing a telegram in the secret language of the Underground Railroad, and taking a picture with Harriet Tubman and Thomas Garrett!

Free Admission

Photo of Harriet Tubman courtesy  Library of Congress

Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation Presents the Annual Dickinson Memorial

Join historian Dick Carter on February 17th to learn more about our local Founding Father on this 250th Anniversary of his writings "Letters from a Farmer." Dickinson descendant Evelyn Swenssen will be performing his Liberty Song, Mayor Purzycki is slated to read the eulogy and a beautiful wreath by Quaker Hill florist Flowers by Tino will laid at Dickinson's grave in the Wilmington Friends cemetery.  All are welcome to attend this event presented by the Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation. 

The Facebook event can be found here.

The Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation is Historic Preservation & Education non-profit dedicated to sharing and preserving the vital history of the Quaker Hill Historic District in the heart of downtown Wilmington. Free Underground Railroad Workshops, field trips, tours, publications and more are part of their efforts. 

The team of individuals are devoted to ensuring the neighborhood still retains a diverse architectural character, inherited from the 1978 designation of Quaker Hill as a National Register Historic District. Recent renovation and restoration of remaining structures, coupled with the construction of new housing, give definite signs of a revitalization of Quaker Hill.

Interested in joining the preservation efforts of this neighborhood? Contact them at the Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation (www.quakerhillhistoric.org) 

Thomas Hamm lecture at Wilmington Friends Meeting House, February 16th

On Friday, February 16th, from 7:30-9:30 PM our friends at Wilmington Friends Meeting are ending their 200th Anniversary festivities with an intriguing lecture by Thomas Hamm, professor of history at Earlham College, on the subject of the Hicksite-Orthodox Schism which divided the Meeting shortly after the completion of the building.

This could be a potential source of historical context around understanding Quaker Thomas Garrett's abolitionist activity and the role of Quakers in the Underground Railroad. The event will take place at Wilmington Friends Meeting House located at 401 N West Street Wilmington DE 19720.

Hope you can join us! 

The Downtown Farmer's Market 2018 Vendor Application is Available

Last year's Farmer's Market was the biggest year yet with the most attendance, award-winning food trucks, live entertainment, produce stands, vendors and even veggie giveaways!

Be sure to reserve your spot for this year's activities as well! The vendor application is now available online.

Follow all of the Farmer's Market fun on Facebook!

Love is in the Air in Wilmington, DE! Here is Where to Celebrate Valentines Day!

Love is in the air and there is just two weeks left to make your Valentine's Day plans. Whether you are single or madly in love, there are plenty of activities in Wilmington, DE to celebrate! 

HOTEL DU PONT

Choose from several events at the recently renovated Green Room within the legendary Hotel Du Pont including a Valentine's Day 5 Course Dinner, Rose Petal Brunch, Lovebirds Two-Course Lunch and Chocolate Tea! More information can be found at http://www.hoteldupont.com/events-en.html

Chelsea Tavern & Ernest and Scott Taproom

Pick the perfect Valentine's Day dinner option from two excellent Downtown restaurants for only $75 per couple! More information and reservations can be made on http://www.ernestandscott.com/

Big Fish Grill

If your Valentine is a big fan of seafood this is the place for them and they will be providing special dinner entrees just for the occasion! Make your reservations quickly! https://www.facebook.com/events/1538772966232074/

Merchant Bar

Single and mingling? Join Merchant Bar for their first annual Valentine’s Day Cocktail Party. Enjoy a flight of four Champagne cocktails plus passed & stationed hors d’oeuvres. The cost is only $45pp plus gratuity. The cocktail party begins at 6:30pm.  Only 30 spaces available, book online by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2nvw6FM

The Delaware Contemporary

No Valentine? No problem! Get your hands messy and be creative at The Delaware Contemporary! Join Teaching Artist Tia Santana for a laid back, down and dirty Date Night with friends, someone special, or your inner artist. Create an object, glaze it, then come back to pick it up ready to use or give as a gift! A cash bar will be available and the cost is only $30 per person and $25 for museum friends. To register click here. 

Riverfront Pets

Sometimes the best companions in life are the furry friends of ours! Treat your pet or find a new furry family member at Riverfront Pets! Who knows, even if you are single, you may meet your soul mate who is also an animal adorer! More information can be found here.

Tonic Bar & Grille

If you haven't been to Tonic Bar & Grille in awhile you are in for a real treat! Their delectable dishes are always a hit and will absolutely impress your loved one this Valentine's Day! More details can be found on https://www.tonicbargrille.com/events/month/