The Historic Homes News for July, 2012

The July 2012 Historic Homes News

Dover, Delaware is having more activities than you can possibly participate in on July 4. From
9-6 Welcome Center galleries open, Historic Dover Scavenger Hunt, State House open, Colonial games for kids at the John Bell House, Legislative Hall open (our Capital building), the Biggs art museum and Johnson Victrola museum open. 2 p.m. - National Bell-Ringing Ceremony.  The Old State House on The Green. will join the other 12 original colonies as bells ring at 2 p.m. to celebrate the birth of our nation. and read the Declaration of Independence. As if that isn’t enough, at 6 p.m. join the American Legion Independence Day Parade and at 7:45 p.m. see a flyover from the Dover Air Force Base, followed at 8 p.m. by a concert by 287th Army Band and of course, fireworks above Legislative Hall.  Dover July 4 Schedule here.
            

In Wilmington,  restaurants and venues along the Riverwalk will offer special values and entertainment options the entire day, but the July 4th Celebration will focus around the activities in Tubman-Garrett Park from 4:00 p.m. until the fireworks finale, which is scheduled for approximately 9:45 p.m. The Delaware Symphony Orchestra conducted by Music Director David Amado will perform a 75-minute grand finale concert of patriotic and seasonal musical selections beginning at 8:30pm. The event will also feature family activities and games as well as a host of food vendors.  Wilmington July 4 Info Here.

And Wait---the fun’s not over yet!  July 7 and 8 will see the return of the Old Fashioned Ice Cream Festival at Rockwood Park in Wilmington, brought back by locals who just could not see missing this event another year. See Ice Cream Festival info.

Thanks to friend and local Old New Castle resident, Jim Travers, the Summer Show Time Concert series is back in Battery Park on July 11 at 7 PM.  A complete schedule of New Castle Concerts is here

Delaware Public Archives will present a program on Saturday, July 7, 10:30 a.m. by Nancy Lyons on how to begin your family tree. This presentation will provide an excellent starting point for researching your genealogical roots.  It is for those who are searching for information in Delaware and in other states as well.  Other upcoming workshops in this series will include topics such as church records, naturalization papers, and American passenger arrival lists. The program is free to the public.  No reservations are required.  For more information, contact Tom Summers (302) 744-5047 or e-mail thomas.summers@state.de.us.

“Shall Faithfully Serve!” will be offered at Dover, Del.’s John Dickinson Plantation on June 16, 2012  from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dickinson, located at 340 Kitts Hummock Rd. in Dover, DE 19901, will present 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.”

 Paranormal Investigations at New Castle Historical Society will be held at Amstel House, Dutch House & Old Library on July 14, August 11, September 22, October 19 & October 20. Join seasoned paranormal investigators from Delmarva Historic Haunts as they investigate Old New Castle.  See what happens in the museums when the sun goes down! Tickets are $25 per person and must be purchased in advance by calling the Society at 302-322-2794. Tours are recommended for ages 12 and up. Tour length is approximately 2 hours and requires long periods of walking and standing. Light levels are low in the museums - please bring your own flashlights.

And last but not least, a fabulous mid-to-late 18th C historic home is  for sale in Brandywine Hills, the northernmost part of Wilmington. I thought it was really early, and then I looked at the joists, which are trees!    It was the home of Henry Webster, who was born around 1738 in Brandywine Hundred and died in 1806. He had a gristmill on the Shellpot Creek.  The mill burned down in 1858 (they were often swept away in storms or destroyed by fire) and we have a picture (right) of it around 1885, a quite substantial stone building with outbuildings. With thick stone walls, this 4 bedroom house with 2 baths is set on one-third of an acre, with a detached garage and formal gardens.  For full information on this Colonial era home for sale in Wilmington click here to see this historic home presented by Carolyn Roland.