NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
May 19, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 227
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
June 6 First Saturday Events at First State Heritage Park Highlighted by Programs with a World War II Theme
DOVER, Del. - On Saturday, June 6, the First State Heritage Park’s monthly First Saturdays in the First State honors the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Among the park’s activities are several programs featuring various aspects of World War II.
In the spirit of Rosie the Riveter, noted living history performer Stacy Roth has created “Soldiers without Guns: Women Defense Workers in WWII.” The audience will meet the character of Rose Helen Niemiec, a housewife who decides to do her bit for the war effort by working as a welder in a shipyard. The program features songs, a display of period artifacts, and an invitation to the audience to share memories and family stories. This free program takes place at 12:30 p.m. in Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Avenue, Dover.
Other “First Saturdays in the First State” happenings on Saturday, June 6 include:
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.: 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.
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Shipbuilding in the First State, Delaware Visitor Center and Galleries
Exhibit highlights the types of ships built, method of construction, individuals who made a livelihood from building ships, and towns affiliated with ship production.
10:30 a.m.: The Holocaust, Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street
Presented by Dr. Gary Wray, this program covers the reasons for the Holocaust, the methods for carrying it out, the individuals involved, and the consequences for the world.
11:30 a.m.: Lecture on WWII, Delaware Visitor Center and Galleries
Local historian Danny Waite discusses the lives of Dover’s World War II veterans.
12:30 p.m.: “Soldiers Without Guns: Women Defense Workers in WWII,” Legislative Hall
Living history performance by Stacy Roth.
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Celebrate Black Music Month, Museum Square
Visitors will hear the sounds of great performers from Paul Robeson to Thomas “Fats” Waller at the Johnson Victrola Museum.
2 p.m.: Walking Tour of the Dover Green
Starts at the Delaware Visitor Center, 406 Federal Street.
2 – 3:30 p.m.: Biggs Kids – Lighthouses, Biggs Museum, 406 Federal Street
Children create lighthouses using water bottles and flashlights to decorate homes for summer.
9 a.m. – 3 p. m.: Self-Guided Audio Walking Tours
These tours focus on the stories and events of Dover’s historic 18th -century Green and include nearly 30 sites in the historic district. Available at the Delaware Visitor Center, 406 Federal Street. $5.
Admission to all sites is free. Centrally located free parking is available at the Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street. More information about The First State Heritage Park is available by calling 302-739-9194 or visiting www.destateparks.com/heritagepark.
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.
