Throughout the month of February, we as a nation, celebrate African American history.
The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs preserves Delaware's heritage and showcases the historic legacy of the state. Through active historic preservation efforts, engaging educational programs, and stimulating exhibits, the Division is committed to enhancing Delaware's quality of life by helping people connect with those aspects of the past that have made this state what it is today.
Learn more about February’s special events sponsored by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs with our curated events listed below. All programs are free and open to the public.
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023: "Struggles for Equality — ‘Ending Erasure: The African Burial Ground.’ "
This Black History Month program features the site that is believed to be the final resting place for enslaved and free Black men, women and children who died on the John Dickinson Plantation.
Where: Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover.
When: Programs at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Free admission. Call (302) 744-5054 or email OSHmuseum@delaware.gov.
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2022: “Ending Erasure: Recognizing African Americans in the Cultural Landscape.”
This program, in which Vertie Lee, Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ curator of education, and Gloria Henry, site supervisor of the John Dickinson Plantation, discuss the site’s African burial ground and its Plantation Stories Project.
Where: Hockessin Public Library, 1023 Valley Road, Hockessin.
When: Noon.
Free but reservations suggested. Call (302) 239-5160.
Friday, Feb. 10, 2023: Concert by Isabel Angela and the Hazel Ravens.
Folk/Americana/Country Rock style music presented in partnership with the Delaware Friends of Folk.
Where: Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. When: 7:30 p.m.
Free admission. (302) 744-5054 or email OSHmuseum@delaware.gov.
Friday, Feb. 10, 2023: “Segregated Sands” and “Recapturing Black Beaches” information session.
This program will be a virtual presentation discussing the Zwaanendael Museum’s virtual exhibit “Segregated Sands” and the ongoing oral history project “Recapturing Black Beaches.”
Where: Program streamed live via Zoom.
When: 4:00 p.m.
Free event but registration required and only available by clicking here. (302) 645-1148 or email zmuseum@delaware.gov.
Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023: "Struggles for Equality — ‘The Letter of the Law.’ "
This Black History Month program in which Juliette Wurm, lead historic site interpreter at the New Castle Court House Museum, explores the bias and racism written in the laws of Delaware from the American Revolution to Reconstruction and how those laws were enforced.
Where: Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover.
When: Programs at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Free admission. (302) 744-5054 or email OSHmuseum@delaware.gov.
Monday, Feb. 13, 2023: “Enslavement and the Underground Railroad in Delaware: Stories from Below the Canal.”
This presentation is on some of the Underground Railroad Coalition of Delaware’s current projects including a new video, “The Tilly Escape,” about one of Harriet Tubman’s rescue missions in the Seaford, Del. area, and the search for the African burial ground at Dover’s John Dickinson Plantation.
Where: Laurel Public Library, 101 E. Fourth St., Laurel.
When: 5:00 p.m.
Free admission. (302) 875-3184.
Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023: "Struggles for Equality — ‘An Uphill Battle: The Unfulfilled Promise of the Civil War 1865-1896.’ "
At the end of the Civil War, great change seemed promised with the first federal civil rights acts and amendments. Why instead did the nation descend into segregation? In this Black History Month program, lead historic-site interpreter Gavin Malone explores the constitutional amendments, the first federal civil rights acts, Delaware’s political climate and reactions to federal legislation ending with the Plessy decision.
Where: Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. When: 1:00 p.m.
Free admission. (302) 744-5054 or email OSHmuseum@delaware.gov.
New Castle Court House Museum
The New Castle Court House, located in the heart of the historic City of New Castle, Delaware, is one of the oldest surviving courthouses in the…
Friday, Feb. 24, 2023: “Well Seasoned Heirlooms.”
In this virtual series, historic-site interpreter Kimberly Fritsch of the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ New Castle Court House Museum shines a spotlight on the practices, recipes, and women throughout Delaware history as they speak to us through their food.
Where: Program streamed live via Zoom.
When: Noon.
Free but registration required. (302) 323-4453 or email NCCHmuseum@delaware.gov.
Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023: "Struggles for Equality — ‘The Evolution of Black Recorded Music: ‘The Rock-n-Roll Soul.’ "
Black History Month multimedia presentation examines the roles played by Chuck Berry, Little Richard, James Brown, Fats Domino, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and the Detroit-based Motown Records in establishing soul music, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues. The program will feature biographies, musical recordings, and video clips from the 1940s through the 1960s.
Where: Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover.
When: 1:00 p.m.
Free admission. (302) 744-5054 or email OSHmuseum@delaware.gov.
Throughout the year, Delaware continues to share its connection with African American History through events, exhibitions and more. Here are just a few...
To learn more about the African American history of Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley visit the Delaware History Museum and Mitchell Center for African American Heritage. The purpose of the Mitchell Center is to collect, preserve, research and present the history and heritage of Delaware’s African Americans. The Mitchell Center includes Journey to Freedom, an exhibition presenting topics of slavery and resistance, faith and freedom, pursuit of equality and expressions of selfhood and community. It also highlights the significant achievements of African American Delawareans within the state and others who impacted the nation.
Just minutes from the Mitchell Center lies a stop along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, Tubman Garret Riverfront Park. This park marks the location where Harriet Tubman crossed into Delaware on her way to freedom. The Underground Railroad Byway assists in setting the scene of how far she had to go to cross from Delaware to Pennsylvania giving travelers an opportunity to visit historic sites that played a role during this time period.
The Tubman Garret Park also plays host to the Nation's Oldest African American Festival celebrating religious freedom, freedom of speech and the right of assembly. The August Quarterly Festival features music, singing, performances on two stages, storytelling, children's activities, arts and crafts, books, African clothing, food vendors, and more.
