Jan. 28, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 21

Media 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

Stories of free and enslaved African Americans highlight
February’s First Saturday Events at First State Heritage Park 

DOVER - On Saturday, Feb. 6, the First State Heritage Park presents its monthly “First Saturdays in the First State” event in Dover. Special highlights include stories of African Americans during three centuries of Delaware history.

Throughout the day at the Old State House, visitors can take part in a re-enactment of debates to end slavery that took place there just prior to the Civil War. At 2 p.m., the debut of a new walking tour of The Green sheds light on the free and enslaved African Americans who lived and worked there.

Historical interpreters dressed in Civil War-era attire will spin tales of Richard Allen’s journey from slavery to freedom, of Henry Predeaux and the “Dover Eight” who staged a dramatic escape from the Dover jail in 1857 and of Delaware’s position as a border state during the Civil War.

Ellen Rendle, featured speaker at the Delaware Public Archives at 10:30 a.m., speaks about Judy Johnson and his extraordinary performance in the Negro Leagues which resulted in his becoming the first Delawarean elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

First Saturday activities also feature the two capitol buildings in Delaware’s capital city: The Old State House, which served as the seat of Delaware’s General Assembly from 1791 to 1933, and Legislative Hall, which has served this function since 1933. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of both capitol buildings from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and also visit the Governor’s House at Woodburn from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The new USS Delaware exhibit is on display at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries from 9 a.m. to 4:30p.m., and tours and exhibits are also available throughout the day at 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 First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, located 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 State Heritage Park events on Feb. 6 also include:

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.  Visitors may tour the House and Senate Chambers and learn about the legislature and Delaware history. Photo ID is required for all adults entering the building.

Old State House - 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., The Green
Guided tours and exhibits of the recently restored old capitol building are offered throughout the day.

End Slavery! Stop the War! – 10 and 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m.
In 1861, Delaware played a key role in President Lincoln’s strategy to end both slavery and the Civil War. Two members of the Delaware General Assembly—one a Lincoln Republican and the other a “Copperhead” Democrat—debate Lincoln’s proposed legislation in the Old State House, scene of the original debate. 

A Victor Valentine - 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New Street
Romantic music, stories of the heart, and the history of Valentine’s Day are featured in this program. Kids will enjoy making fanciful valentine cards from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

The Life and Times of William Julius “Judy” Johnson - 10:30 a.m., Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street
Ellen Rendle, author of Judy Johnson: Delaware’s Invisible Hero, speaks about the life and times of Judy Johnson, the first Delawarean elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975.  Considered the best third baseman in the Negro Leagues, Johnson was the first athlete ever inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.

Tales of Slavery and Freedom Walking Tour - 2 p.m., meet at the Old State House on The Green
The Dover Green was a place where free and enslaved men and women lived out their lives, where national decisions regarding slavery were debated, and where a brave group of runaways known as the “Dover Eight” made a daring escape from the Dover Jail. Visitors will learn about Dover’s complicated positions regarding freedom and slavery, and its role as a border state during the Civil War.

Biggs Kids: HEARTfelt Valentines - 2 – 3:30 p.m., Biggs Museum, 406 Federal Street
Children will create a HEARTfelt valentine to share with a loved one. 

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