William Penn, John Dickinson and Shipwrecks to Be Featured at Division Museums

During the month of October 2013, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be offering 11 special programs at the state of Delaware’s six museums. A full schedule of the programs is listed below. For additional information, call 302-744-5055.

Cast of “The Trial of William Penn.”

Highlights of the month include “William Penn Day” at the New Castle Court House Museum on Saturday, Oct. 26. The event will feature a full day of activities commemorating Penn’s disembarkment at New Castle, his first landing in the New World. Programs will include a re-enactment of the Livery of Seizen ritual in which Penn received possession of New Castle and a 12-mile circle of land surrounding it at 10 a.m.; “The Trial of William Penn,” a historical play exploring Penn’s trial on religious freedom and the rights of English subjects under the law at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; a performance by De Blokfluiters recorder/flute ensemble at 1 p.m.; and a performance by the University of Delaware Baroque Chamber Ensemble at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Oct. 5, Lewes’ Zwaanendael Museum will present “Shipwrecks, Storms and Science,” a day-long slate of historical games and maritime-history and -archaeology activities, plus a 2 p.m. presentation on the Roosevelt Inlet and DeBraak shipwrecks. The event is held in conjunction with Lewes’ annual Boast the Coast festival.

Artistic rendition of the capsizing of the DeBraak by Peggy Kane, 1990.

Finally, on Saturday, Oct. 12, “A Day in the Life of the John Dickinson Plantation” will treat visitors of all ages to a day of food, entertainment and hands-on activities from colonial trades to hearth cooking in the 18th-century setting of the Dover home of the “Penman of the Revolution.”

Portrait of John Dickinson.

Special events at the museums of the state of Delaware, October 2013

Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013
“The Founding of Victor.” Celebrate the 112th anniversary of the Victor Talking Machine Company. Accompanied by early recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines, guided tours will explore the company’s development into an industry leader in talking-machine manufacturing and recorded music. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover, Del. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055.

Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013
River Towns Ride and Festival. Festivals in historic New Castle and Delaware City frame a bicycling event between the two cities. Family-oriented festival held from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at the New Castle Court House Museumand The Green in New Castle will feature music, attractions, food and drink, games, tours, vendors and a pumpkin decoration table. Craft-beer festival in DelawareCity from 1–5 p.m. Free admission. 302-655-6483.

Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013
“Bayonets of the Revolution: The Delaware Regiment During the War of American Independence.” Chuck Fithian, curator of archaeology for the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, explores the personal circumstances and conditions of soldiers in the Delaware Regiment during the American Revolution. First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, Del. Program at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055.

Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013
“Shipwrecks, Storms and Science.” Held in conjunction with Lewes’ annual Boast the Coast festival, the event will feature a day-long slate of historical games and maritime-history and -archaeology activities, plus a 2 p.m. presentation on the Roosevelt Inlet and DeBraak shipwrecks.Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, Del. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission but seating for the slide presentation is limited due to space restrictions. 302-645-1148.

Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013
“History Goes Hollywood.” Screening of the 1942 film “Penn of Pennsylvania” starring Clifford Evans and Deborah Kerr. Story of William Penn, his fight for religious freedom and the founding of Pennsylvania. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Del. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 1:30–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-323-4453.

Mondays, Oct. 7 and 14, 2013
Lecture/tour of His Majesty’s Sloop DeBraak. Explore the history of the DeBraak which was capsized and lost off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798. Program includes a trip to the hull facility in nearby Cape Henlopen State Park for a curator-led tour of the surviving section of the ship’s hull.Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, Del. Programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Limited seating. Admission $10 in advance by reservation only at http://shop.delaware.gov/. For additional information, call 302-645-1148.

Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013
“A Day in the Life of the John Dickinson Plantation.” Visitors of all ages will enjoy a day of food, entertainment and hands-on activities from colonial trades to hearth cooking in the 18th-century setting of the home of the “Penman of the Revolution.” John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, Del. 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-739-3277.

Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013
Colonial Scherenschnitte. Workshop to explore scherenschnitte—the art of papercutting design—with artist Kim Frey of Dagsboro, Del. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, Del. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-645-1148.

Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013
William Penn Day. Day-long series of programs commemorating Penn’s disembarkment at New Castle, his first landing in the New World. Reenactment of the Livery of Seizen ritual in which Penn received possession of New Castle and a 12-mile circle of land surrounding it at 10 a.m.; “The Trial of William Penn,” a historical play exploring Penn’s trial on religious freedom and the rights of English subjects under the law at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; a performance by De Blokfluiters recorder/flute ensemble at 1 p.m.; and a performance by the University of Delaware Baroque Chamber Ensemble at 6:30 p.m. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Del. Free admission but reservations requested for the 6:30 p.m. concert. 302-323-4453.

Saturday Oct. 26, 2013
“Mysteries of History.” Walking tour explores the unusual tombstones of St. Peter’s cemetery in Lewes. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes, Del. Tour leaves from the museum at 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-645-1148.