What do you do when you run out of the usual “things to do” with company? Consider visits to Delaware’s Historical Museums, especially if you and/or your guests like history.
Six museums are managed by Delaware Historical and Cultural Affairs between New Castle County in northern Delaware and Sussex County in the southern part of the state. Probably the best known of the six is the Zwanendeal Museum in Lewes. Its distinctive façade reminds one of the classic “Dutch” architectures in Amsterdam and other parts of The Netherlands. The museum was built to commemorate Delaware’s first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch in 1631. The museum showcases the Lewes maritime, military, and social history.
It might surprise you to know that New Castle Country is home to the John Dickinson Plantation. Dickinson was a farmer and one of the signers of the U.S. Constitution. He was known as the “Penman of the Revolution”. He was a “Founding Father” who wrote of freedom and liberty even while owning slaves. Dickinson earned his nickname due to his prolific and influential writings that articulated the colonies’ grievances. He advocated for their rights through documents called “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania” and Olive Branch Petition.
The museum is dedicated to sharing stories of the plantation’s tenant farmers, indentured servants, free and enslaved Black men, women, and children who lived on the plantation.
Does anyone remember Nipper, the dog? The pooch actually lived in England. This real-life dog supposedly enjoyed nipping at the backs of people’s ankles and listening to music, a visual that inspired artist Francis Barraud to create a painting that depicted Nipper listening to “His Master’s Voice” in 1899.
Wilmington-born businessman Eldridge Reeves Johnson acquired the U.S. rights to the painting in 1901. He was born in Wilmington and grew up in Dover.
Nipper’s image was associated with Johnson’s business, The Victor Talking Machine Company. Johnson propelled Nipper’s image and company name to world-wide fame by branding everything from Victrolas and recordings to salt and pepper shakers.
The Johnson Victrola Museum highlights the history of the Victor Talking Machine Company, which pioneered the development of the sound-recording industry. The museum is in Dover, where Johnson grew up.
Built in 1732, the New Castle Court House Museum previously served as Delaware’s first court and state capitol. Here in 1776, New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties declared their independence from Pennsylvania and England creating the Delaware State.
The New Castle (DE) Court House is one of the oldest surviving courthouses in the United States and is a registered National Historic Landmark. The original 1732 court is built over the remains of the 1680s courthouse. Additions and modifications took place throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. All jurisdictions of Delaware’s courts, including the federal courts, have met in the building. The state courts removed to the Wilmington in 1881 when the county seat changed but occasional court sessions and proceedings are still held here.
The museum is in the heart of the historic City of New Castle.
The Old State House served as Delaware’s capitol during the United States’ early years as a nation. With additions and modifications, the building continued to serve as the state capitol until 1933. It was the first permanent capitol building in Dover, Delaware. Begun in 1787 and completed by May 1791, this Georgian-style structure was originally home to both state and Kent County governments.
One last location on the list is Cooches Bridge Historical site but the site is closed to the public except for registered tour particpants.
By Mary Jo Tarallo, Resident Journalist
Mary Jo Tarallo spent much of her career in public relations with various non-profits and spent 40 years involved with the ski industry as a journalist, public relations director for a national trade association and as executive director of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard initiative. Prior to her ski industry involvement she worked for the Maryland International Center in Baltimore and United Way of Central Maryland. She won a Gold Award for TV programming for a United Way simulcast that starred Oprah Winfrey. She has been cited for her work by numerous organizations. Mary Jo grew up in Baltimore, attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, lived in Washington, DC for 21 years and has been a full time resident of Rehoboth Beach and Milton since May 2019.
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