NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
June 24, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 279
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
The First State Heritage Park at Dover celebrates Independence Day
DOVER - In conjunction with Dover’s Fourth of July celebration on Saturday, July 4, the First State Heritage Park and its partner sites will be offering a variety of special programs and activities throughout the day. All sites and activities are free.
SPECIAL JULY 4 ACTIVITIES
Historic Dover Scavenger Hunt - 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The hunt begins at the Delaware Visitor Center. Participants will find clues hidden throughout Dover’s historic sites and museums. Small prizes will be given to those who uncover all the secrets of Delaware History.
Colonial Kids Games and Activities, Voices from Dover’s Past – Storytelling on The Green
11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Historical interpreters portraying real people who lived in Dover during the Revolution will tell their stories under a shade tree on The Green. They will share tales of local troublemakers, loyalist rebellions, and of the earliest 4th of July celebrations in Dover.
Come Scream For Your Team! - 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Johnson Victrola Museum
The popular 1920s song “I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream” got its start as an early American fight song. Visitors will hear songs by the Waring’s Pennsylvanians and rare collegiate songs. Kids will make colorful, musical pendants.
Dover’s Heroes of the Revolution Walking Tour - noon and 4:30 p.m., Christ Church
The tour features a stroll through the monuments of Christ Church to those of the Old Presbyterian Churchyard, with visits to the graves and former residences of Dover’s Revolutionary heroes. Visitors will hear their stories and remember their sacrifices.
Biggs Kids – Stars & Stripes, 2 p.m., Biggs Museum of American Art
Children will celebrate America’s birthday by creating flags to wave on the 4th of July.
Let Freedom Ring – The Declaration of Independence, 2 p.m., Old State House
Beginning at the Old State House, bells throughout Dover will ring to honor the men and women who founded the nation. This will be followed by a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence by costumed historical interpreters at the location where it was first read to the citizens of Dover in 1776.
Caesar Rodney Rides Again! - 2:30 p.m., Delaware Public Archives
Dick Pack portrays Caesar Rodney in this living history tribute to Delaware’s hero of the American Revolution.
SITES OPEN FOR TOURS AND EXHIBITS: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Guided Tours of Legislative Hall, Delaware’s State Capitol building, the seat of Delaware’s General Assembly since 1933.
Guided tours through the recently restored Old State House on The Green.
Delaware Visitor Center and Galleries, 406 Federal Street
Special Exhibit: Shipbuilding in the First State
Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street
Special Exhibit: Abraham Lincoln: A Bicentennial Celebration. On view in the Jewel Box: One of three copies of the 13th Amendment signed by President Lincoln.
Biggs Museum of American Art, 406 Federal Street
Special Exhibit: Award Winners features the talent of the current Individual Artist Fellows of the Delaware Division of the Arts.
Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 South New Street
On Exhibit: Sound recording industry items dating from the 1890s through 1929
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.
