Civil War Education Series: "Christmas Past"
December 1, 7 p.m.
Presenter: Jane Peters Estes
This program explores the origins of many of our secular holiday traditions and highlights Christmas customs observed during the Civil War (1861-65). A display of typical 1860's Christmas gifts accompanies the program. Lecture is free and open to the public.
Hagley Museum and Library (Copeland Room), 200 Hagley Rd, Wilmington, DE
New Castle in Mourning
October 1 – November 13
New Castle Historical Society's annual mourning exhibit returns this year at both the Amstel House and the Old Library Museum. The Old Library Museum exhibit will have a special focus on mourning practices during the Civil War. Included with regular admission to the Amstel House. The Old Library Museum is opne free on weekends, 1 to 4 p.m.
New Castle Historical Society, Old Library Museum, 40 East Third Street, New Castle, DE
Lecture — "From the Crater to a Tree Near Smyrna: The Tragic Odyssey of Obie Evans and other African-Americans in Civil-War Delaware"
November 5, 10:30 a.m.
Presenter: Dr. Steve Newton
Obie Evans escaped slavery, survived the Battle of the Crater, and participated in Baltimore's post-war street riots—only to be murdered by other war veterans near Smyrna in 1866. His story reveals the triumphs and tragedies of African-Americans in Civil War Delaware.
Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street, Dover, DE
Civil War Conversation — "The Picklocks of Biographers"
October 19, 7 p.m.
Through anecdote and biography, in literary accounts and artistic images, in what they wrote and in what has been written about them, we will meet the men and women of the Civil War. Some of the names will be of those individuals so well remembered in our nation's history that facts about them and legends associated with them have become as one. The stories of others, so long ago distanced from our collective memory as to be all but forgotten, will be retold, and in the retelling we will deepen our understanding of the Civil War. Free.
Milton Historical Society, 210 Union Street, Milton, DE
Lecture — "Quaker Soldier: The Civil War Experience of Henry Gawthrop of the 4th Delaware"
October 20, 7 p.m.
Presenter: Justin Carisio
Lecture is free and open to the public.
Hagley Museum and Library (Copeland Room), 200 Hagley Rd, Wilmington, DE
Lecture — "Angels of the Battlefield: Civil War Nursing"
October 9, 1:30 p.m.
Presenter: Nurse-historian Chris Foard, MSN, RN
The program will include displays from Foard’s 3,000-item collection of historic nursing and medical memorabilia. Admission to the event is free.
For additional information, call 302-323-4453.
New Castle Court House, 211 Delaware Street, New Castle, DE
Lecture — "A Fragmented Nation, A Divided State: The Delaware Home Front"
October 1, 10:30 a.m.
Presenter: Dr. Steve Newton
Divided loyalties, a critical strategic position, and a major Federal prison made Delaware a tumultuous place to live and work during the Civil War years. From vigilante violence to patriotic demonstrations, the First State represented a microcosm of the American nation
during the Civil War.
Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street, Dover, DE
Honoring the Service of Delaware's African American Civil War Soldiers
September 24, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m
In this year of commemoration for the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, join us for a ceremony honoring Delaware’s African American Civil War soldiers, including a reading of all known men who served. Spend time with community groups, military historical societies and service agencies to learn more about Delaware’s military history and the work being done to support servicemen and women and their families during current deployments. Sponsored by the Delaware Military Heritage and Education Foundation, Inc.
Fort DuPont State Park, Delaware City, DE
A Child's Day in the 1860's
September 17
A family-fun day on the New Castle Green focusing on a child's life during the decade of the Civil War. Children's games and other activities. Free.
New Castle Historical Society, New Castle Green, New Castle, DE
P.O.W. Weekend at Fort Delaware — "Taking Up Arms"
August 13-14
Join us to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. On these special themed weekends, visiting living history groups partner with our interpretive staff making for a memorable visitor experience. This weekend's theme is "Taking Up Arms: Artillery and Weaponry at Fort Delaware." Check out the firepower at Fort Delaware and take part in a gun drill!
Fort Delaware State Park, Delaware City, DE
Hagley Museum's 2011 Summer Camp
July 25-29
The Civil War will come alive with Hagley Museum's 2011 Summer Camp for children ages 9-14. Campers will spend their days recreating aspects of the Battle of Gettysburg, including cooking army food on a cast iron stove and experiencing life on the homefront through period music and games.
Hagley Museum and Library, 200 Hagley Rd, Wilmington, DE
Civil War Conversation — "In the Gladdest Days and in the Darkest Nights"
July 20, 7 p.m.
The second in a series of conversations marking the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. The First Battle of Bull Run (or First Manassas, if you prefer) will provide the focus for the evening, but the impact of war on the people who experienced it and on the governments and leaders who served them will be our purpose. Presented by Kevin Kelly. Free.
Milton Historical Society, 210 Union Street, Milton, DE
Creek Kids Program — "Gunpowder and the Civil War at Hagley"
July 12 and 17, 1-4 p.m.
Hagley Creek Kids invite families to learn about the different uses for gunpowder in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Activities will also give visitors an opportunity to learn about Hagley's communities and their roles in the Civil War. Programs include Machine Shop apprenticeships, creating care packages, Civil War drilling and cannon firing. Included in regular museum admission. Free for members.
Hagley Museum and Library, 200 Hagley Rd, Wilmington, DE
P.O.W. Weekend at Fort Delaware — "Guests of the Government"
July 9-10
Join us to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. On these special themed weekends, visiting living history groups partner with our interpretive staff making for a memorable visitor experience. This weekend's theme is "Guests of the Government." Learn about ordinary citizens who were suspected of disloyalty and arrested and imprisoned.
Another P.O.W. Weekend will be held on August 13-14.
Fort Delaware State Park, Delaware City, DE
Lecture — Delaware Women on the Homefront
June 11, 1 p.m.
Presenter: Bobbi Steele-Wilkins
Throughout the state's history the women of Delaware have kept the home fires burning as the men marched off to battle. During the Civil War, things were no different, but then again, this was a new generation of minds. Covering the political and social sway of the times, Bobbi Steele-Wilkins, a member of the Central Delaware Civil War Roundtable and the Fort Delaware Society, will present a view of women’s lives in Delaware from 1861-1865.Working in homes, factory and field to provide for themselves and the armies, they added physical, fiscal, and moral support to their families and friends in a small state full of divided loyalties.
Please call 302-239-5160 to register.
Hockessin Library, 1023 Valley Road, Hockessin, DE
P.O.W. Weekend at Fort Delaware — "War on the Homefront"
June 11-12
Join us to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. On these special themed weekends, visiting living history groups partner with our interpretive staff making for a memorable visitor experience. This weekend's theme is "War on the Homefront." Discover how the war affected the people of Delaware. Other P.O.W. Weekends will be held on July 9-10 and August 13-14.
Fort Delaware State Park, Delaware City, DE
Victorian KidsFest
June 12
Fort Delaware's Third Annual KidsFest, co-sponsored by the Fort Delaware Society, promises to be an outstanding day with vintage baseball, historical games. You can even sign up for the Army or help around the kitchen. A $5 donation to the Fort Delaware Society gains admittance to the carnival tent with special kid-friendly games and take-home craft projects. Proceeds help support preservation and interpretation of Fort Delaware.
Fort Delaware State Park, Delaware City, DE
Lecture — To Hell and Back: The First State in Blue and Gray
June 4, 10:30 a.m.
Presenter: Dr. Steve Newton
Thousands of Delawareans answered the call to the colors. Delaware infantry, artillery, and cavalry units fought for the Union on battlefields from Virginia to Louisiana. First State Rebels slipped south to fight for the Confederacy. Thousands of African-American Delawareans risked everything to fight for their freedom. Who were these men and what did they do during the war?
Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street, Dover, DE
The Libby Prison Minstrels: A Concert of Civil War-era Music
May 21, Noon
Enjoy a concert featuring Civil War-era music and tunes on the New Castle Green during the oldest house and garden tour in America, A Day in Old New Castle. Free.
New Castle Historical Society, New Castle Green, New Castle, DE
Fort Delaware Society Spring General Membership Meeting (Non-Members Welcome)
May 17, 7-9 p.m.
Director Dan Cashin will speak on the 71st Pennsylvania Infantry at "The Angle" during the Battle of Gettysburg and the Confederates prisoners of war who were captured in the battle and imprisoned at Fort Delaware. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, please call the Society's office at 834-1630.
Fort Delaware Society Headquarters, 33 Staff Lane, Delaware City, DE
Lecture — Delaware Units in the Civil War
May 13, 11 a.m.
Fort Delaware volunteer David Price will be presenting. Please call 302-239-5160 to register.
Hockessin Library, 1023 Valley Road, Hockessin, DE
"Choosing Sides" Program Kicks Off Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration
May 6, 7 p.m.
The Delaware Heritage Commission, in conjunction with the History Department of Delaware State University, kicks off its observance of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War with an event entitled, "Choosing Sides" at Delaware State University's Education & Humanities Theatre. Well-known historian Adam Goodheart will discuss his new book, 1861: The Civil War Experience, as well as the days between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the outbreak of War, while Delaware and its citizens struggled to cope with unstoppable forces. Joining Mr. Goodheart will be a number of "living historians" portraying Delawareans of the time.
Delaware State University, Education & Humanities Theatre, Dover, DE
2nd Delaware Regiment Civil War Encampment at Old Dover Days
May 6-8
During Dover Days in May, the 2nd Delaware Regiment (Union reenactors) will have an encampment at Court Street, in front of Legislative Hall. The Regiment will give lectures, tours, a period cooking demonstration, drill and firing demonstrations, and more.
Download the full schedule of 2nd Regiment Events as a PDF.
Old Dover Days, Legislative Ave., Dover, DE
Recognizing Delawareans Who Supported the Confederacy
April 30, 12 - 2 p.m.
The Delaware Grays chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans is unveiling the names of 31 additional Delawareans who served or supported the Confederacy during the Civil War. The event will feature re-enactors and living historians in period dress, and refreshments will be served.
Marvel Carriage Museum, 510 S. Bedford St. Georgetown, DE
Opening Event for Delaware's Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration
April 12, 2 p.m.
Presented by the Delaware Department of State and the Delaware Heritage Commission
Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street, Dover, DE
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