Aug. 30, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 301

For more information contact Elaine Brenchley, 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 

Labor Day Weekend at the First State Heritage Park
Offers Events for First Saturday and Labor Day Monday

DOVER - This Labor Day Weekend, the First State Heritage Park offers activities for visitors of all ages on both Saturday, Sept. 4 and Labor Day, Sept. 6.

On Saturday, Sept. 4, the First State Heritage Park presents its monthly “First Saturdays in the First State” event. Tours, programs and exhibits are offered from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Legislative Hall—Delaware’s capitol building, The Old State House, the Delaware Public Archives, the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, the Biggs Museum of American Art, and the Johnson Victrola Museum. Tours of the Governor’s House at Woodburn are available 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Another in the series of genealogy workshops offered by the Delaware Public Archives will be held at 10:30 a.m. and a walking tour of The Green begins at 2 p.m.

Admission to all sites and the following activities is free, except for the Segway tours. Centrally-located free parking is available at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, located at the Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street. More information about The First State Heritage Park programs is available at 302-739-9194 or www.destateparks.com/heritagepark.

“First Saturdays in the First State”

Saturday, Sept. 4

The First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs presents a new exhibit: USS Delaware – An American Battleship. The story of the USS Delaware (1909-1924), told through objects, photographs, and ceremonial silver.

Guided Tours of Legislative Hall-Delaware’s Capitol
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Legislative Hall has been the seat of Delaware’s General Assembly, the supreme lawmaking body in the state, since 1933.  Tours of the House and Senate Chambers highlight the legislature and Delaware history. Photo ID is required for all adults entering the building.

A Stately Transformation
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Old State House. On The Green
Visitors will hear about the many physical transformations that have been made to The Old State House since its completion in 1791, and learn how Mabel Lloyd Ridgely halted its destruction. 

Labor and Progress
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New Street
This program explores the demanding trades and proficient skills of early America’s workforce.

Tours of the Governor’s House at Woodburn
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
151 Kings Highway
Visitors will enjoy guided tours of Woodburn, the official residence of Delaware’s Governor since 1965, as well as Hall House, the Governor’s guest house. 

Tips and Tools for using the U.S. and Special Census Records
10:30 a.m.
Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street
Nancy Lyons explains how to lay the groundwork for successful family research in this workshop. Family members can be tracked, decade by decade, using the U.S. Census to uncover births, marriages, immigration, naturalization, military service and occupations. 

Segway Tours of First State Heritage Park’s Historic Sites
11:30 a.m.
Tours leave from the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center
Admission charged. Information about prices and reservations is available at www.SegZoneTours.com

Dover Green National Register Historic District
2 p.m.
Tours begin at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center
The Green has been the center of commerce, politics, and civic life in Dover. Guided walks through the historic district reveal the people and events that left their mark on Dover’s History.

Biggs Kids – Woodland Vases
Biggs Museum of American Art, 406 Federal Street
2 – 3:30 p.m.
What child can resist picking up sticks during a walk through the woods? Parents should bring 10 sticks (1/4” diameter) to decorate a woodland vase. This program is suitable for children ages 5 to 10.  Reservations are required and may be made by calling 302-674-2111.

Self-Guided Audio Walking Tours
9 a.m. – 3 p. m.
Free audio wands are available at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center, located at the Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street.

Labor Day, Monday September 6
First State Heritage Park sites are open 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. for tours and exhibits including Legislative Hall – Delaware’s capitol building, The Old State House, the Delaware Public Archives, the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, and the Biggs Museum of American Art.  At 2 p.m., a free Walking Tour of the Dover Green National Register Historic District begins at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center, 121 Duke of York Street.

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.