The Friends of Independence National Historical Park speaker series will present Mr. Joe Becton speaking on Africans and the Big Three Documents on February 19 at 7 PM. Even though Africans were not participants in the important "meetings" that created the three most important documents in our country, they did create a presence in the documents. Mr. Becton's presentation will review the documents to see their impact on Liberty, Freedom and Independence and will include discussion of the construction of the City and African Education. It will be held at the Second Bank of the United States, 425 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. More information here.

Join the Chester County Historical Society for a special evening with the Dill Pickle Old Time Orchestra at the Social Lounge in downtown West Chester. Travel back in time as the Pickle string band plays some good old-time American fiddle tunes, gospel, Tin Pan Alley, and mountain songs from eras gone by, with some local history lessons mixed in from mandolin player and West Chester University history professor Dr. Charles Hardy.History On Tap - Music Edition, Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at The Social Lounge, 29-31 East Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19382 6:30pm History on Tap brings history to you in the casual atmosphere of your favorite local bar or restaurant. And of course, there will be lots of great food and drink available for purchase. The program is free for the community to enjoy! Generously sponsored by Susquehanna Bank, WCHE 1520AM, and in partnership with the 1893s (Chester County Historical Society Young Friends Association).

Stenton presents a special Valentines Day Lunch and Learn Series “Honored and Beloved, Speculations on the Marriage of George and Deborah Logan” by Dallett Hemphill, Ph.D.,Thursday, Feb 7 at 12:30 p.m. at the historic Stenton mansion, 4601 North 18th Street, Philadelphia. Free, RSVP requested: 215-329-7312 orwww.stenton.org  Stenton, described as "the most authentic of all Philadelphia's historic houses," was built by James Logan, William Penn's secretary, between 1723 and 1730. Stenton is located in the Historic Logan section of Philadelphia just 4 blocks east of Wayne Junction. The house is open for tours Tuesday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m.

“Frank Furness and His Imitators,” A Lecture by Michael J. Lewis, Faison-Pierson-Stoddard Professor of Art, Williams College Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.at the Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 South Rittenhouse Square The lecture is free, but a modest tax-deductible contribution to Save Our Sites would be greatly appreciated. For more information and to RSVP, please call 215-232-2344 or 215-915-6627 – or just come!

Wilmington’s Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation Presents Free Underground Railroad Workshops for Children. All workshops are on Saturdays, 10am-12 noon (with refreshments), at the Wilmington Friends Meeting, 4th and West Streets, Wilmington.  February 16, 2013, Presenter: Darleen Amobi. Feature story of Harriet Tubman, both read aloud and video; re-enactment by Willis Phelps of the life and times of a Civil War veteran; a visit to the grave of Thomas Garrett. February 23, 2013, Presenter: Patricia Lewis and Mia Muratori Feature story about Thomas Garrett; an arts-crafts project about items to take on an escape on the Underground Railroad.registrations requested by calling Mary Starkweather-White at 302-299-5600.

The New Castle Historical Society is holding a fund-raiser, the Doo-Wop Sock Hop on Saturday, February 16 at 7 PM at the gym at St. Peter's School in Old New Castle. Information and tickets

Hale Byrnes House in Stanton, Delaware is holding a reception and evening program on 18th Century Abolitionists. This reception honors the scholars who will be participating in the "Before the Underground Railroad" symposium we are sponsoring at Wilmington Friends Meeting the following day.Reservations for this reception are required. $20 per person. Checks should be made out to DSPA and sent to: Hale-Byrnes House, 606 Stanton-Christiana Road,    Newark, Delaware 19713. (For additional info on the symposium, please e-mail: halebyrneshouse@aol.com)

Looking for historic houses for sale in New Castle County, Delaware? Ask Carolyn!