Historical and Cultural Affairs Presents Arts & Education Programs for the Month of April

DOVER, Del. -- The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs (HCA) presents an array of arts and educational programs, for people of all ages, throughout the month of April. From insights into life during the Revolutionary War to a hands-on experience of crafting Delft Tiles, a decorative glazed tile that harkens to Delaware's history as a bustling Dutch settlement, HCA takes visitors on an immersive tour of the First State's rich, cultural past. While most events are free to the public, some require reservations.

Saturday, April 4^th, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.*

The Zwaanendael Museum,102 Kings Hwy, Lewes DE. Phone: 302-645-1148, Zwaanendael Museum - Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs - State of Delaware

Make a Delft Tile - Tell your own Delaware story by personalizing a Delft Tile. You've seen and admired the delicate blue and white tiles that adorn kitchens and baths, with their whimsical designs ranging from the familiar, agricultural to the more fanciful, mythic scenes. Visit the iconic Zwaanendael Museum to create your own artistic tiles. No experience necessary for this craft that is perfect for older children and adults. Delft tiles are prefabricated yet may be designed to reflect your unique vision. *Event will continue while supplies last.

Saturday, April 4^th, 1-2 p.m.

The Old State House, 25, The Green, Dover, DE. Phone: (302) 744-5054, The Old State House - Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs - State of Delaware

Encircled by Silence: Delaware's Isolation in the Revolutionary War - What was everyday life like during the American Revolution? With British raids along the coast, American patrols along the Brandywine Valley, and riots and uprisings increasingly common in the colony, Delawareans felt the scourge of war hitting too close to home. Join volunteer researcher Teresa Pierce at the Old State House and hear riveting accounts from period manuscripts during this audience-centered, facilitated conversation that explores the real-life experiences of everyday citizens living through the American Revolution.

Saturday, April 11^th, 12-1 p.m.

New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware Street, New Castle, DE. Phone: (302) 323-4453, New Castle Court House Museum - Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs - State of Delaware

The Emergence of American Military Medicine under Washington - A noted medical historian with 32 years of distinguished service as a medical Officer in the United States Army, Dr. Wagner retired with the rank of Colonel. He joins the New Castle Court House Museum to share his unique reflections on the convergence of medicine, history and the military. He is graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and has served as a Pentagon consultant, advising on the mobilization and coordination of medical forces across all service branches. This program is presented by The New Castle Court House Museum, in partnership with and made possible by the generosity of the Battell and Read Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (New Castle). This program is free of charge; however, seating is limited and requires prior registration: register online here.

Saturday, April 11^th, 1-3 p.m.

John Dickinson Plantation, the Mansion Dining Room, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE. Phone: (302) 739-3277, John Dickinson Plantation - Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs - State of Delaware

Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild Demonstrations - Witness live demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild as they present the fine arts of weaving, embroidery, knitting, crochet, quilting, dyeing and more. The rich tradition of textile-making turned everyday objects such as clothing and linens into veritable works of art that blended necessity with artistry. Some women earned a living off the trade, while others passed their skills and passion for artistic expression onto their daughters. Observe and join the generations of artisans, who continue to preserve and advance this timeless craft.

Saturday, April 18^th, 7-10 p.m.

Hotel Dupont, 42 W 11th St, Wilmington, DE. Phone: (302) 594-3100, delaware250.org.

Delaware 250 - Celebrate America's 250^th Anniversary in style. Guests of the black-tie fundraiser will be treated to music and photo opportunities, spirits and hors devours in a setting that commemorates the deep, rich history and culture of the First State. Admission is $125 per person.

Friday, April 24^th, 6-7 p.m.

New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware Street, New Castle, DE. Phone: (302) 323-4453, New Castle Court House Museum - Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs - State of Delaware

Revolutionary River: The Delaware Waterway & the War for Independence - Washington's crossing of the Delaware River on December 25^th, 1776, underscored its strategic military significance during the American Revolution, and cemented its enduring place in history. The stakes could not be higher as Philadelphia, the capital of an emerging new republic, lay on its western bank. The importance of this waterway, which influenced trade, communication and military mobilization, cannot be underestimated as it played a role as great as any historic figure from the Revolution. Join independent historian and Historic Lewes' Director of Interpretation, Ryan Schwartz, in his exploration of the critical role of the Delaware River during the unfolding of the War for Independence.

Saturday, April 25^th, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Lewes Historic Museum, 101 Adams Avenue, Lewes, DE. Phone: (302) 645-7670, ext. 101, Lewes History Museum 101 Adams Avenue Lewes, DE 19958 - Visiting a Museum: The Unique, Unusual, Obscure and Historical

2026 Annual Delmarva Archaeology & History Symposium - Researchers and field experts share findings ranging from historical research to archaeological investigations that bring Delaware's rich cultural past to life. A presentation of The Delaware State Historic Preservation Office of the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the Archaeological Society of Delaware, the event is hosted by Historic Lewes, previously known as the Lewes Historical Society.

Saturday, April 25^th, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

New Castle Court House Museum 211 Delaware St., New Castle, DE. Phone: (302) 323-4453, New Castle Court House Museum - Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs - State of Delaware

In the Shadows of the Gallows: The History of Capital Punishment in America - Explore the complex historical, legal, and ethical evolution of capital punishment in the United States. This program examines the public executions in Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic - from the time when the sheriff served as county executioner - to the modern era, with key reforms such as advocacy for humane methods of execution and a national debate on the abolition of the death penalty. The program analyzes the shifting cultural, legal, and ethical factors that continue to influence the nation's approach to capital punishment.

####

About HCA: The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is an agency of the State of Delaware. The division enhances Delaware's quality of life by preserving the state's unique historical heritage, fostering community stability and economic vitality, and providing educational programs and assistance to the public on Delaware history. The division's diverse array of services includes operation of five museums, administration of the State Historic Preservation Office, conservation of the State's archaeological and historic-objects collections, operation of a conference center and management of historic properties across the state. Primary funding for division programs and services is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, a federal agency. However, the contents and opinions expressed in the division's programs and services do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Department of the Interior.