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) 

Craving a History Lesson on Wilmington?

Photo courtesy of www.oldwilmington.net

When you step into the City of Wilmington, you can tell right away that the rich history of the area is still very much alive. Many of the buildings on Market Street have been restored to their former glory and many of the city's traditions still occur on an annual basis. Whether you are a transplant or have been living downtown for years, one of the most beautiful aspects of Wilmington, Delaware is the way it treasures tradition. 

For those of us desiring to learn a little bit more about the rich history of the streets we walk on a daily basis, there are lots of resources, at our fingertips, or simply a few steps away...

1. Delaware Historical Society- Newly renovated and offering more than meets the eye, the beautiful Delaware Historical Society right on Market Street offers exhibitions, research collections, education, events such as the upcoming Farm 2 Fork and facility rentals.

2. OldWilmington.net- Although their website is still under construction, their Facebook Group and Forums are a wealth of knowledge. Here you will find a library of old photographs from families thrilled to share their lineage in Wilmington. 

Photo courtesy of www.oldwilmington.net

The Ninth Street Bookshop is full of books on Wilmington's history and if they don't have what you want in stock, they will order it for you! Below is one with rave reviews. 

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab

Your Opinion Matters What Do YOU Think About Rodney Square? Take the Rodney Square Revitalization Plan Survey

Rodney Square is one of the iconic public places in the State of Delaware. Since its completion in 1921, the Square has served as the premier public space in downtown Wilmington, enriching the public life by supporting civic and business needs.

The purpose of the Revitalization Plan is to create a new vision for the Square - a vision that integrates the aspirations and demands of a contemporary city center with the cultural heritage of a historic civic space.

The Rodney Square Conservancy working with the City of Wilmington has commissioned Wilmington landscape architects Robinson Anderson Summers with OLIN of Philadelphia, to develop a Revitalization Plan for the Square.

This survey is the first part of an ongoing effort to improve Rodney Square. The answers to this survey will inform the Conservancy and its design consultants as they define a comprehensive vision for the 21st century. As the plan is developed over the coming months, there will be other opportunities for the community to participate in this effort.

This survey should take approximately five minutes. Thank you for your time and input.

We ask for email addresses so we may inform you of upcoming meetings for the project.

Take the Survey

Preparing for Small Business Saturday

On Monday, I had the privilege of joining our U.S. Congresswoman-elect Lisa Blunt Rochester, Mayor-elect Mike Purzycki, leaders from the Small Business Administration, History leaders, Downtown Business owners, the press, and more as we toured businesses in preparation for Small Business Saturday.

You can see video from our walking tour from WDEL by clicking here.

This Saturday, come on out for the Wilmington Jaycees' Christmas Parade and spend some time shopping at our Downtown Businesses!

Here's a look at what to expect:

11:00 AM Parade along Market Street

12:30pm-1:30pm Photos with Santa at The Baby Grand, 818 N. Market Street *Bring your camera & take FREE photos with Santa!
Enjoy non-alcoholic drinks inside the Baby Grand *Cash Bar*

2pm & 8pm The Playhouse on Rodney Square Theatre: 
Broadway Christmas Wonderland
www.duponttheatre.com or 302.652.5577

12pm-2pm LIVE MUSIC
Enjoy live music at various Downtown locations TBD!

#ShopSmall this holiday season in Downtown, Wilmington

Enjoy great deals at the following businesses:

• ACT Generation, 715 N. Orange Street 2nd Floor – Shopping, food, music art from 8a-8p with vendors

• Al’s Sporting Good, 200 N. Market Street www.alssportinggoods.net – $10 off of $60 spent, $20 off of $110 spent. Not to be combined with other offers or sales. *print coupon below

• Cherné Altovise Jewelry, 316 N. Market Street www.chernealtovise.com - 20% off total purchase. Not to be combined with other offers or sales.

• Collars n Cuffs, 716 N. Market Street collarsncuffsonline.com – 20% off entire purchase, not to be combined with other offers.

• Delaware History Museum/African American History Museum - 50% off admission to Read House, the Delaware History Museum and the Jane & Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage, not to be combined with other offers. 

• LaFate Gallery, 227 N. Market Street www.lafategallery.com - offering 40% Discount on Original Paintings and 25% on Limited Edition Prints.

• LOMA Coffee, 239 N. Market Street www.lomacoffee.com - Receive 10% off your purchase when you mention that you #shopsmall

City Announces Holiday Season Metered Parking Policy:

During the upcoming holiday season, metered parking will be free in Wilmington’s downtown business district and at the Riverfront during specific times of the day, beginning Friday, November 25, 2016, and running through January 1, 2017.

• Citizens and visitors to the City of Wilmington are reminded that paying for metered parking will only be required between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

• From 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. the following morning, metered parking will be free.

• This free parking policy only applies to the downtown area from 2nd Street to 12th Street, and from French Street and Washington Street. The policy also applies to the entire Riverfront community.
http://bit.ly/2gaaGIJ

I look forward to seeing you Saturday!

Marty

More Beauty Downtown

I think Downtown Wilmington is looking better all the time - and part of that is because of the ongoing facade improvements happening throughout our area.

We just played a part in securing a Main Street Wilmington Façade Program grant of $21,109 for The Delaware Historical Society museum's recently completing restoration of the original façade.

I encourage you to take some time to walk around Downtown Wilmington and see how beautiful the city is.

Marty