NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Sept. 17, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 377
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
October First Saturday Events at First State Heritage Park Highlighted by tours of the Governor’s House at Woodburn hosted by First Lady Carla Markell
Dover, Del. - The first weekend in October brings crisper weather and an opportunity to explore Delaware’s capital city with the First State Heritage Park. The weekend begins with a lantern tour of the Dover Green on Friday, October 2, offered in collaboration with the “First Friday” events sponsored by the Downtown Dover Partnership.
On Saturday October 3, the First State Heritage Park presents its monthly “First Saturdays in the First State” event. A special highlight is a visit to the Governor’s House at Woodburn. Delaware’s First Lady Carla Markell will greet visitors as they arrive to tour Woodburn and Hall House. Also featured is an opportunity to wander through the Woodburn Arboretum, a living legacy to Delaware’s governors who planted the trees over the years.
Visitors can also enjoy guided tours of the Old State House, Legislative Hall, and Delaware’s current capitol building, as well as special activities throughout the park. Woodburn and Hall House are open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The following First State Heritage Park partner sites offer tours and exhibits from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Legislative Hall, Delaware’s capitol building; the Delaware Public Archives; the Delaware Visitor Center and Galleries; the Biggs Museum of American Art; and the Johnson Victrola Museum.
Admission to all sites and activities is free. Centrally located free parking is available at the Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street. For more information about The First State Heritage Park programs, the public may call 302-739-9194 or visit: www.destateparks.com/heritagepark
“First Friday” Preview
Lantern Tour of the Dover Green
Friday, October 2, 7:30 p.m.
Meet at the Delaware Visitor Center, 406 Federal Street
$5. Space is limited. Please call (302)739-9194 for reservations.
When the sun dips below the horizon and night descends, visitors will feel the suspense build as they take a guided tour through historic Dover by lantern light. The tour features tales of the most infamous resident of Dover’s jail, devastating fires that threatened the town, poisonings, tragic love and the auctioning of slaves on the steps of the Old State House.
“First Saturdays in the First State” activities on Saturday, October 3:
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 feature a discussion about the legislature and Delaware history. Photo ID is required for all adults entering the building.
Shipbuilding in the First State
Delaware Visitor Center and Galleries
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
This exhibit highlights the types of ships built, method of construction, individuals who made a livelihood from building ships, and towns affiliated with ship production.
Old State House
The Green
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Guided tours and exhibits through the recently restored old capitol building are offered throughout the day.
Fusion: American Classics Meet Latin American Art
Biggs Museum
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
In a partnership with the Governor’s Advisory Council on Hispanic Affairs (GACHA), the museum will exhibit the works of contemporary Hispanic artists living or working in Delaware.
Tours of the Governor’s House at Woodburn
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Visitors will enjoy guided tours of Woodburn, the official residence of Delaware’s Governor since 1965, Hall House, the Governor’s guest house and the Woodburn Arboretum.
“Most Proper for Militia” – A Delaware Revolutionary War Drill Manual
Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street
10:30 a.m.
After the siege at Yorktown, the outcome of the Revolutionary War was far from certain. Charles Fithian will discuss John Dickinson’s efforts in developing a militia manual for the state. Copies of the manual and reproductions of military equipment will be on display.
Sweet Sounds of Nature
Johnson Victrola Museum at Museum Square
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Visitors can surround themselves with nature through the unique vocal talents of vaudeville and bird song performer Charles Kellogg, explored through vintage recording. Visitors can try to guess which recordings are from actual birds and which were recorded in the early 1900s by Kellogg.
Dover Green National Register Historic District Walking Tour
Meet at the First State Heritage Park Visitor Center at the Delaware Public Archives
2 p.m.
For 300 years 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 – Maracas
Biggs Museum, 406 Federal Street
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Children will celebrate Hispanic heritage by creating maracas.
Self-Guided Audio Walking Tours
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
These tours focus on the stories and events of Dover’s historic 18th -century Green and include nearly 30 sites in the historic district. Audio wands are available at the Delaware Visitor Center, 406 Federal Street. Free.
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.
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