NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Jan. 27, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 24
Media Contact: Elaine Brenchley or Nate Davidson, The First State Heritage Park at Dover, 302-739-9194, or Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9175 Necia.Beck@state.de.us
First State Heritage Park Presents New Discoveries about Slave Uprisings at Delaware’s Whitehall Plantation on Feb. 7
DOVER, Del. - On Saturday, Feb. 7, the First State Heritage Park’s “First Saturday in the First State” features a lecture and discussion at Legislative Hall about a little-known story of slave rebellion in Delaware. Phillip Seitz will present “Violent Resistance on a Delaware Plantation – 1792-1800” at 12:30 p.m. in Legislative Hall. Seitz, Curator of History at Philadelphia’s Cliveden of the National Trust, will describe his recent research concerning the interactions of slaves and their overseers at Benjamin Chew’s Whitehall plantation in Kent County, Delaware.
Seitz’s lecture focuses on newly-discovered, late 18th-century letters that describe what was happening at the plantation and the slave uprising that occurred there. These new discoveries reveal startling insights into the complex relationships between slaves and their masters. Following Seitz’s presentation, an open discussion moderated by Delaware State University professor Akwasi Osei will allow audience members to share their own opinions about these letters and their meanings. Admission is free.
Other Free Events for February First Saturday are:
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Guided Tours of Legislative Hall – Delaware’s State Capital Building
Legislative Hall has been the seat of Delaware’s General Assembly, the supreme lawmaking body in the state, since 1933. Tour the House and Senate Chambers as you learn about the legislature and Delaware history. Free.
10 a.m., Noon and 2 p.m.: A State Divided
Old State House
Historic interpreters debate the issues of 1861 Delaware and how they affected the people of the First State.
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Superstitions and Celebrations
Museum Square
Explore popular superstitions with ancient roots throughout the day.
2 p.m.: Biggs Kids: Valentines
Biggs Museum of American Art
Children will create a unique Valentine to give to someone special.
2 p.m.: Walking Tour – “Dover Divided – The Civil War”
Meet at the Delaware Visitor Center
Revisit Dover’s Civil War history with this special walking tour focusing on the stories of the people and events that shaped the city’s history during the time of turmoil.
First State Heritage Park sites open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on First Saturday include Legislative Hall, State House Museum, Delaware Public Archives, the Delaware Visitor Center and Galleries, the Biggs Museum of American Art, the Delaware Archaeology Museum, the Museum of Small Town Life, and the Johnson Victrola Museum. Admission to all sites is free of charge.
For a park map and more information, visit The First State Heritage Park online at www.destateparks.com/heritagepark, or call (302) 739-9194.
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.
