August Historic Homes News

DELAWARE EVENTS

First Saturday in the First State free programs are offered Saturday, August 3. Sites are open 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., except Woodburn, Hall House and the Kent County Courthouse. From 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Join the Biggs Museum of American Art for their "Biggs Kids: Science in Action" program and make a make a STEAM based craft. From 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. learn some 18th century uses and preparations for common household herbs and how to grow and care for your own at the John Bell House on The Green during our "Herbal Remedies" program. Tour Legislative Hall to experience more Delaware history and explore the origins of recorded music at the Johnson Victrola Museum and visit Delaware's historic capitol building. At 10:30 a.m. visit the Delaware Public Archives for the program "DuPont and the Manhattan Project", during which Hagley Historian Lucas R. Clawson will teach about how DuPont helped usher in the Nuclear Age. At 1 p.m. meet noted 19th century Delaware physician Dr. James Sykes at The Old State House. In addition: The Governor's House at Woodburn will be open for guided tours from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., The Kent County Courthouse at 38 The Green will be open for guided tours from 1:30 - 4 p.m. and walking tours focusing on Sickness and Health....and the Occasional Poisoning will be leaving from the John Bell House at 43 The Green on the hour from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  Photo of tea party from a past First Saturday in Dover.

The Hale-Byrnes House announces their August schedule of talks, beginning with Saturday, August 17 at 7:30 p.m. sponsored by the American Revolution Round Table of N. Delaware, Marine Archaeologist John Broadwater will speak on Cornwallis' Sunken Fleet (painting of Washington at Yorktown and sunken ship masts in harbor courtesy Colonial Williamsburg).  $5 includes coffee and dessert. Then, on August 18 at 3 p..m., the This Place Matters Series   will feature Tom Welch speaking on The Battle of the Chesapeake, co-sponsored by Cooch's Bridge DAR. Location is 606 Stanton-Christiana Road, Newark DE 19713

 The Delaware History Museum will present a rare chance to see one of only 12 flags from the Revolutionary War in existence on Wednesday, August 21 at 6 p.m.  at the Museum, 504 N. Market St. in Wilmington. Dr. David Young, Executive Director of the Historical Society, will be joined by Dr. R. Scott Stephenson of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia for the exhibit opening to see the restored Dancey flag (photo). Registration here.

The City of New Castle announces their Outdoor Antiques Show Sunday, August 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This annual show held in Battery Park is sponsored by the Visitors' Bureau. For information call 434-361-1770. All dealers are required to guarantee their items.

PENNSYLVANIA EVENTS

Town Tours and Village Walks will hold a program on August 8 from 5:30-7 p.m. in Malvern Borough. Join the Historical  Commission on "From Crossroads to Powerhouse". See the Borough Hall that served as a schoolhouse to the park that replaced a factory.  Park at Burke Park gazebo, 21 Warren Ave. Directions here.  There will also be a tour August 15 in Sadsburyville and August 29 with the Radnor Hunt at the Radley Run Country Club in West Chester. More information here. 

The Chadds Ford Historical Society is hosting an exhibit titled Thrills, Hills, and Spills:Lenape Park and Chadds Peak which will be up through the end of the year. These 2 popular attractions closed in the 1980's (and yes, I do remember them). More information here. (Image courtesy of Chadds Ford Historical Society)

COMING SOON

We are getting ready to put the country home of one of Delaware's signers of the Declaration of Independence on the market. If you want to be invited to a private open house day, just email me at oldhome@psre.com.  1930's photo .