NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
April 16, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 165
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
Storytelling and Lantern Tours Highlight First State Heritage Park’s Festivities for Old Dover Days on May 2
DOVER, Del. - In conjunction with Dover Days, the First State Heritage Park and its partner sites will again offer a variety of special programs and activities on Saturday, May 2.
Highlighting the day is the debut of a new First State Heritage Park storytelling program – “Voices from Dover’s Past” – which will take place every half hour from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Legislative Hall. Park interpreters will portray two 18th century Dover characters – French Battell and Ann Ridgely. Battell, owner of the Golden Fleece Tavern, relates the drama and chaos of Black Monday in June 1775; and Ann Ridgely, prominent resident of the Dover Green, tells tales of her 18th century family.
The day will finish at 8 p.m. with the season’s first Lantern Tour of the Dover Green. Visitors will hear 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. Admission is $5. Spaces are limited. Reservations can be made by calling 302-739-9194.
Schedule of First State Heritage Park Activities on May 2:
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The following First State Heritage Park partner sites will offer tours and exhibits: Legislative Hall—Delaware’s capitol building, the Delaware Public Archives, the Old State House, the Delaware Visitor Center and Galleries, the Biggs Museum of American Art, the Delaware Archaeology Museum, Museum of Small Town Life, and the Johnson Victrola Museum. Admission to all sites is free.
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Scavenger Hunt - Legislative Hall
Children may participate in a scavenger hunt to uncover the secrets of Delaware History!
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Guided Tours of Christ Episcopal Church
Corner of Water and S. State Streets. Free.
11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Voices from Dover’s Past - Legislative Hall
New storytelling programs every half hour. Free.
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Reproduction Handmade Crafts
Museum of Small Town Life
Visitors will have fun with silhouettes, learn printing techniques, and create colonial money. Free.
1 p.m. - Why Does Delaware Have Such a Strange Shape?
Delaware Public Archives
Audience members will portray William Penn, Lord Baltimore, the survey team of Mason and Dixon and other historical figures and groups who played a role in shaping Delaware’s unique boundaries. Free.
1 – 4 p.m.
Auburn Heights Steam Car Rides
Families are treated to rides around The Green in classic 1915 steam-powered cars. Free.
2 p.m.
Biggs Kids: Sunshine Flower Pots - Biggs Museum of American Art
Children will decorate a flower pot and create fingerprint flowers to fill the pot with cheer! Free.
2 p.m. - Revolutionary Heroes of Dover Walk
Meet at Christ Church – At the corner of S. State and Water Streets
The sacrifices of Dover’s veterans and townspeople during the struggle for our independence are remembered. Free.
8 p.m. - Lantern Tour of the Dover Green
Meet at the Delaware Visitor Center – 406 Federal Street
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. Admission is $5. Spaces are limited. Reservations may be made by calling (302) 739-9194.
For more information about The First State Heritage Park programs, the public may call 302-739-9194 or visit 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.
