May 2013 Historic Homes E Newsletter

 Friday–Sunday, May 3–5, 2013 80th Annual Dover Days Festival, a celebration of Delaware history featuring historical re-enactments, parade, maypole dancing, walking tours, pet parade, arts and crafts, music and more. Events are primarily based in downtown Dover locations including the Johnson Victrola Museum, The Old State House and the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries. Free admission. 302-734-4888.

Saturday, May 4, 2013 “Nipper and Other Famous Dogs.” of the 20th century. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover, DE 19901. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055. Nipper the dog will be featured at the Johnson Victrola Museum on May 4.

Sixth annual symposium on the early colonial archaeology of the Delaware Valley region Saturday, May 4, 2013. Featuring informal presentations, the program is designed to build a regional-level dialog that can identify the uniqueness of the early colonial cultures of the Delaware Valley. New Castle Court House Museum, (right) 211 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-323-4453. To reserve a place, send an e-mail to craig.lukezic@de.state.us. 

And I can’t let you forget one of my favorite yearly events, Day in Old New Castle, May 18 from 10-5.  Stroll through carefully tended gardens, tour exquisite private homes dating from the 18th century that reflect the history of Old New Castle, enjoy guided historical walking tours, period music, dance, and change ringing on the church tower bells.Free parking and shuttle from the First Baptist Church in New Castle (Routes 141 & 273) to the Green in Old New Castle during the event. And come and visit the Amstel House, where I will be doing the greeting before 1:30!

On Saturday, May 11, 2013, Delaware Governor Jack Markell will welcome King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, together with Finland's Speaker of the Parliament Eero Heinäluoma, to Fort Christina National Historic Landmark for a Jubilee Day landing ceremony commemorating the 375th anniversary of the establishment of the first Swedish settlement in America. Named Fort Christina after the then 12-year-old queen of Sweden, the settlement was established in 1638 by a group of Swedish and Finnish colonists from the ships Kalmar Nyckel (below) and Fogel Grip who landed on a natural wharf of rocks on what is today's Seventh Street Peninsula in Wilmington, Del. The fort was located somewhere nearby. Activities that will take place at the landing ceremony include the arrival of the Kalmar Nyckel, a re-creation of the ship that brought the Swedish and Finnish colonists to Delaware. After disembarking on "The Rocks," dignitaries will participate in a ceremony, followed by a walk to Old Swedes Church which was completed in 1699 by the descendents of the original Fort Christina settlers. For tickets to the landing ceremony, for information on other Jubilee Day events, and for additional 375th anniversary activities, go to the New Sweden Alliance website. 

If you want a chance to go on a pirate sail May 4, or take a twilight cruise on the Christina River that evening, check out the Kalmar Nyckel website.  Call for more information: (302) 429-744 or visit: www.KalmarNyckel.org  To learn more about the Kalmar Nyckel, come to a lecture "Royal Ship Kronan: The Archaeology and Development of Swedish Naval Power in the 17th Century" on May 9 at 6 p.m. at the Riverfront Center in Wilmington (fee).

Through May 31, 2013 “80th Anniversary of Old Dover Days.” Display of costumes and memorabilia illustrating the history of Old Dover Days from its origins in 1930 as the Dover Flower Show and Garden Days to the present. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE 19901. Mon.–Sat., 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-744-5055.

Here’s a fun treasure hunt to try. You can take a walk around West Chester in 1888 in the footsteps of photographer Horace Engle. How? By scanning the Chester County Historical Society's Time Machine QR code on participating partners' windows with your smart phone or tablet to see a view taken on the spot where you are standing 125 years ago.The images are candid views of the daily life on streets in West Chester, largely showing High, Market, Gay and Church Streets. See street vendors, firemen in action and a circus parade! This Digital Exhibit Space™ tour has been created by local filmmaker, Kyle Hudson, in partnership with Chester County Historical Society.

Come to the Hale-Byrnes House in Stanton, Delaware for a Mothers Day Tea Sun., May 12, 2013 3:00PM - 5:00PM . Reservations Required. $15 per person. Checks to: DSPA att: Treasurer Historic Hale Byrnes House 606 Stanton-Christiana Road, Newark, Delaware 19713.

Contact Carolyn Roland for the latest in old house news, including details about the Frank Lloyd Wright house currently for sale in Wilmington, where I helped lead tours in 2011.