Elaine Brenchley, First State Heritage Park, (302) 739-9194, (elaine.brenchley@state.de.us); Sarah Zimmerman, First State Heritage Park, 302- 739-9194; or Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9175, necia.beck@state.de.us
“Keeping Up With The Loockermans” program
at the First State Heritage Park’s October First Saturday
DOVER (Sept. 21, 2011) – On Saturday, Oct. 1, the First State Heritage Park focuses its monthly First Saturday programming on a fascinating 18th-century Delaware family. “Keeping Up With the Loockermans” offers a rare glimpse into the history of the Loockerman family, who came to Dover in the early 1700s and became merchants who imported goods from Philadelphia and the world via the St. Jones River.
“We are used to seeing reality TV shows about the lives of the rich and famous, but most of us aren’t aware that Dover had a family in the 1700s who amassed significant wealth through real estate and as merchants,” said First State Heritage Park Project Director Elaine Brenchley. “The downtown Dover Loockerman Street shopping district was named after this intriguing family, but today their story remains unknown to most.”
From 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., park visitors can discover this story for themselves by visiting five of the park’s sites – each focusing on a different aspect of the Loockermans. “We strongly suggest that visitors start out under the tent that will be on The Green, where they’ll have a chance to ‘meet the characters’ of Vincent and Elizabeth Loockerman,” said Brenchley. “And then, when they move on to the other locations, they’ll have a better connection with what they’re seeing.”
Other pieces of the story will be encountered as visitors move to The Old State House, the Biggs Museum, the John Bell House and the Delaware Public Archives. “A special treat is the chance – on this one day only– to see original dresses worn by the Loockerman women in the 1700s,” said Ann Horsey, Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs Curator of Collections. “This clothing has not been on view to the public in more than twenty-five years.”
Furniture bought by the Loockermans in the mid-1700s and Loockerman documents from the same time period will also be on display. Expert commentary will be offered by Horsey as well as by Biggs Museum Curator Ryan Grover and Archives Information Specialist Margaret Raubacher Dunham. “Since visitors will be able to look, but not touch these objects,” said Brenchley, “we will also have reproductions of the kinds of goods Dover residents in the late 1700s were eager to buy from Vincent Loockerman that our visitors will be able see close up and touch.”
Seaford native Kathryn LaPrad’s recent Winterthur master’s thesis on the Loockermans sparked the park’s interest in turning this new research into public programming. LaPrad will also be on hand during the day to discuss her findings about Vincent Loockerman’s key role in Dover’s mercantile past. The monthly “Biggs Kids” program will also have a Loockerman touch as children create their own portraits inspired by Vincent Loockerman’s 1750 portrait on view at the Biggs.
Regular First Saturday activities include tours of the two capitol buildings in Delaware’s capital city –The Old State House and Legislative Hall. Exhibits are also on display at the Johnson Victrola Museum, the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and the Biggs Museum of American Art. Due the special program “Keeping Up with the Loockermans,” the park’s regular walking tours will not be offered this First Saturday. A lecture by Dr. Steve Newton on Delaware’s divisions during the Civil War rounds out the day’s activities.
Admission to all park sites and First Saturday programs is free. Centrally located free parking is available at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, at 121 Duke of York Street. For more information about The First State Heritage Park programs, call 302-739-9194 or visit: www.destateparks.com/heritagepark
“FIRST SATURDAY” ACTIVITIES ON SATURDAY, OCT. 1
“Keeping Up With The Loockermans”
"Meet the Loockermans”
Under the tent on The Green
Visitors should start here to meet this family of 18th-century merchants who left their mark on Dover’s history. They will encounter two key living-history characters – Vincent and Elizabeth – on this journey of discovery.
“What Elizabeth Wore”
The Old State House
This is a rare, one-day-only opportunity to see dresses and accessories worn by Susannah and Elizabeth Loockerman in 1750 – 1810, now in the collections of the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. Commentary by Curator of Collections Ann Baker Horsey.
“Where Vincent Sat”
Biggs Museum of American Art
The furniture owned by Vincent Loockerman will be displayed along with his 1750 portrait on loan from the State of Delaware. Commentary by Biggs Museum Curator Ryan Grover.
“What Dover Bought”
John Bell House
Dover residents of the 18th century were eager consumers. The kinds of goods that merchants like Loockerman imported from Philadelphia and the world via the St. Jones River will be on display to see and touch. Commentary by Loockerman scholar Kathryn LaPrad.
“What Words Reveal”
Delaware Public Archives
Surviving Loockerman family papers, ledgers, deeds, wills and inventories reveal 18th-century Dover’s world of merchants and consumers. Commentary by Archives Information Specialist Margaret Raubacher Dunham.
Biggs Kids – “The Loockerman Portrait”
2 – 3 p.m.
Biggs Museum of American Art
Children will discover the history of this 18th-century portrait and create their own portraits! Ages 5 to 10. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 302-674-2111.
OTHER OCTOBER FIRST SATURDAY ACTIVITIES
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries
121 Duke of York Street
The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs presents two exhibits:
“USS Delaware: An American Battleship”. The story of the USS Delaware (1909-1924), told through objects, photographs, and ceremonial silver.
“The Civil War: Five Delaware Soldiers’ Stories”
This exhibit recognizes the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the American Civil War. Through the state’s collection of objects, portraits, and documents, personal experiences of the brutal journey through the War of the Rebellion are revealed.
Guided Tours of Legislative Hall-Delaware’s Capitol
Legislative Hall has been the seat of Delaware’s General Assembly, the supreme lawmaking body in the state, since 1933. Visitors will tour the House and Senate Chambers and learn about the legislature and Delaware history. Photo ID is required for all adults entering the building.
“Victoberfest!”
Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New Street
A special blend of polkas and oom-pahs will celebrate the traditional Bavarian Octoberfest. Visitors will learn how E.R. Johnson helped make these folk genres available in parlors across the world.
“Award Winners XI Exhibition”
Biggs Museum of American Art, 406 Federal Street
The annual Award Winners exhibition features the talent of the current Individual Artist Fellows of the Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA). These Delaware artists represent visual, musical, sculptural, folk art and literary arts. The Biggs Museum permanent collection of American fine and decorative arts is also on view.
10 a.m., Noon, and 2:30 p.m.
“We Poor Devils”
First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, 121 Duke of York Street
Enjoy guided interpretations of the current exhibition, The Civil War: Five Delaware Soldiers’ Stories.
10:30 a.m.
“A Fragmented Nation, A Divided State: The Delaware Home Front”
Delaware Public Archives
Dr. Steve Newton explores how Delaware’s divided loyalties represented a microcosm of the American nation during the Civil War.
The First State Heritage Park at Dover is 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. The park 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.
Vol. 41, No. 361
