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“America’s 250th: For All, For Once”
Read Executive Director Ivan Henderson’s article that appeared in the Sunday News Journal.
At DHS, we don’t just preserve the past; we learn from it. Our work examines Delaware history through new lenses, uncovers untold stories of real Delawareans, and advances important conversations that build community and shape future generations.
DHS Executive Director Ivan Henderson shared more about the DHS mission, our historic properties, and our innovative programs in his July 21st guest column for the Sunday News Journal.
View a reproduction of the full piece below.
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Welcome Hannah
The Delaware Historical Society recently welcomed Hannah Grantham as the new Director of the Jane and Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage.
Grantham, a public historian with a background in musicology and museum work, most recently served on the Music and Performing Arts curatorial team at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C. Her research interests center on music’s material culture and twentieth-century Black music.
The Mitchell Center honors Jane and Littleton Mitchell, who dedicated their lives to pursuing equal rights and opportunities for African Americans, and aims to collect, preserve, research, and present for public enrichment the history and heritage of Delaware’s African Americans. |
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August Quarterly
Thanks in part to funding the Delaware Historical Society received from the Lilly Foundation, The Mitchell Center partnered with the Historic Mother African Union Church, the August Quarterly Festival, and Wilmington Public Library to present "The August Quarterly Social Justice Dialogue Featuring Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, Jr."
The evening featured a performance by Guidance Generations, a talk by author, political commentator, public intellectual and educator Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., and a moderated Q&A with Rev. Dr. Ronald W. Whitaker, II of the Mother African Union Church.
Glaude’s talk challenged attendees to think critically about the present and future of American democracy and invited them to step out of the shadows of past giants to build a better society―one that derives its strength from the pew, not the pulpit. |
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The DHS calendar of events is packed this fall, with reenactments, book signings, exciting Halloween partnerships, and new members-only offerings. Check out our full calendar for more details.
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Keep Delaware History Alive!
Becoming a member of the Delaware Historical Society offers a unique opportunity to dive deep into the rich history of our state while enjoying exclusive benefits. Members receive free admission to our museums, invitations to special events, and early access to new exhibitions. You'll also enjoy discounts on programs and purchases, as well as access to our extensive research library.
Your membership helps preserve Delaware's history and supports our educational initiatives, making you an integral part of keeping our heritage alive for future generations.
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July 6, 2024
Happy National Fried Chicken Day!
This photo from the 1960 Delmarva Chicken Festival was one of our most popular posts this summer. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more!
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Host Your Next Event at DHS!
From weddings and cocktail receptions in historic Old Town Hall, to outdoor events in Willingtown Square or the Read House & Gardens, to corporate meetings and luncheons in our spacious Copeland Room, DHS looks forward to hosting you!
Contact Rental & Events Coordinator Carol Washington for rates and availability. Members get a 15% discount!
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There are various unpredictable ways the DHS library and museum collections find their way into the general community. Objects, photos, manuscripts, and maps have appeared many times in publications. Public historians and authors have used collection items for presentations and documentaries.
A less obvious but increasingly popular (and fun!) use of DHS library collections is for home and office décor. Digitized images and documents in the collection make very cool and informative interior design elements, like the ones featured on the walls of Sullivan’s Steakhouse in northern Delaware, on Concord Pike/Route 202 near the Pennsylvania-Delaware border. |
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Recently, a Sullivan’s staff member wanted to spruce up the restaurant interior with historic imagery and came into the library to see what we might have. Our collections and access staff is often able to make recommendations based on their experience using source material regarding specific regions, industries, and topics.
Such was the case here. Long time Delawareans may recall the Brandywine Raceway, a major horse racing entertainment venue at the northwest corner of Concord Pike and Naamans Road. The raceway was a 5/8 mile standardbred harness racetrack that operated from September 1953 to December 1989. |
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Sullivan’s Steakhouse and the other businesses in the Brandywine Town Center (Trader Joes, Regal Cinema, Lowes, PetSmart, Target, Panera Bread) were built on the huge footprint of the old Brandywine Raceway complex. DHS supplied aerial photographs of the stadium, track level views, and images of horse buggie races.
Next time you go to Sullivan’s Steakhouse, check out the large, framed photographs in the dining room, which show the crowds that once gathered at the track near the spot where you’re enjoying lunch or dinner. |
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Fall Sports |
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D.I.A.A. State Champion football team, Newark High School, 1930 |
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Claymont High School girls'
field hockey team, ca. 1929-1930 |
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Your support helps us to preserve and present priceless collections and to keep telling all the ever-expanding stories of Delaware’s past and present in new ways.
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