April 8, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 138

Media Contact: Elaine Brenchley or Nate Davidson, The First State Heritage Park at Dover, 302-739-9194, Elaine.Brenchley@state.de.us, or Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9175, Necia.Beck@state.de.us

‘Spy Letters’ – A First State Heritage Park Interactive Children’s Program –Debuts Saturday, April 18

DOVER, Del. - Most people imagine James Bond and high-tech devices when they think of spies and espionage. Actually, spies were active and espionage was important even during the American Revolution. Both England and the colonies used spies to transport letters containing military secrets and plans of attack. To keep the plans safe from the enemy, they used secret codes, hidden messages and even invisible ink.

The First State Heritage Park at Dover will introduce a new interactive children’s program – “Spy Letters” – on Saturday, April 18. Children will learn about the clever ways that spies passed secret messages during the Revolution and will have a chance to create their own letters with invisible ink.

This free program begins at 1 p.m. at Rose Cottage, 102 S. State Street, Dover. More information is available at 302-739-9194 or www.destateparks.com.  

The First State Heritage Park at Dover is a partnership of state agencies, under the leadership of Delaware State Parks, working in collaboration with city and county government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector to create Delaware’s first urban “park without boundaries” linking historic and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777.