June 2012 Historic Homes E-News

The Delaware Historical Society is pleased to announce the opening of Driving Delaware: A Road Trip Through Our Collections, which highlights photographs, manuscripts, objects, and published materials from 16 Delaware cities. For details, see Driving Delaware (DHS Photo)  

The Chester County, Pennsylvania Town Tours and Village Walks start at 5:30 PM on June 14 in West Chester and as usual, the Lukens Band (Left)  will be there to serenade the crowd.For the complete schedule of towns to be visited Thursday nights this summer, visit their website .

And now for something completely different: Friday & Saturday, June 15 & 16, 10 a.m. to 3p.m.  The New Castle Historical Society will present 18th Century Brick Making.  Join them at Newlin Grist Mill in Glen Mills, PA and get dirty while making bricks that will be used in the restoration of the Amstel House kitchen hearth. Mix clay and mold bricks - just like they did in the 18th century. For information and to volunteer contact Lauren at 610-459-2359 or lvitelli@newlingristmill.org .   And then, on Saturday, June 23, 8:45 and 11:45 p.m., see Paranormal Investigations with Delmarva Historic Haunts. Join Delmarva Historic Haunts (DHH) to investigate some of New Castle's oldest and most legendary buildings...the Amstel House, The Dutch House and the Old Library! For years, these buildings have been closed to paranormal investigations. Now, through a partnership with DHH, the New Castle Historical Society has opened their museums exclusively for paranormal investigations with DHH.H (right, "haunted" streets). More information

On Saturday, June 16, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the John Dickinson Plantation, located at 340 Kitts Hummock Rd. in Dover, DE 19901, will present “Shall Faithfully Serve!,”a day-long series of activities exploring 18th century indentured servitude and the world of work at the country estate of John Dickinson, one of the founding fathers of the United States and “Penman of the Revolution.”
Participants will symbolically sign an indenture form with a quill pen, after which they will experience tasks associated with 18th century trades and occupations including gardening; the carding, spinning and weaving of wool for cloth production; and various jobs centered around plantation life such as collecting kindling and cleaning. During their free time, participants will have an opportunity to play Colonial games. Visitors are encouraged to dress in Colonial-period clothing and pack a lunch or snack to enjoy throughout the day. Admission for all of the day’s activities is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-739-3277 or click here.

The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is now offering public lecture/tours of the hull of His Majesty's Sloop DeBraak. While escorting and protecting a convoy of British and American merchant ships en route to the United States, this British warship was capsized and lost off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798. Lecture/tours, which are limited to 10 visitors per program, will take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Mondays during 2012. Programs begin at the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, Del.  Nonrefundable tickets for the 2 1/2-hour program are $10 per person (restricted to persons aged 10 and above) and are available solely through the Shop Delaware website under Tours. For additional information, call 302-645-1148.

Please visit Carolyn’s blog/website http://activerain.com/blogs/delawareolderhomes .  Search for Delaware and Chester County HOMES FOR SALE at  http://croland.psre.com/ .  Carolyn Roland can be reached at the Hockessin, Delaware office of Patterson-Schwartz, 302-239-3000 or direct 800-771-2332. Email or call Carolyn at any time with comments, advice about listing or selling an older home, or if you  wish to be removed from the mailing list at oldhome@verizon.net.