Contact: Elaine Brenchley, First State Heritage Park at Dover, phone: (302) 739-4413 , e-mail: elaine.brenchley@state.de.us
 

THE FIRST STATE HERITAGE PARK AT DOVER PRESENTS ‘FIRST SATURDAYS IN THE FIRST STATE’ ON MARCH 5

Public information number: 302-739-1173

A genealogy workshop, quilting discussions, a celebration of the 85th anniversary of women’s suffrage and stories of famous dishes named for women will highlight the March 5 “First Saturdays in the First State” at The First State Heritage Park at Dover.

The sites linked by the new park include Legislative Hall, Delaware Public Archives, the Old State House Museum and other Delaware State Museums sites, and the Biggs Museum of American Art. Tours and exhibits will be offered at all the sites which are open Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is free.

The genealogy workshop, which will focus on Irish-American family history, will be held at the Delaware Public Archives. The Delaware State Museums Visitor Center will feature discussions on the art, history and design of Delaware quilts. The State House Museum is commemorating the 85th anniversary of the 19th amendment (Women’s Suffrage). And at the Johnson Victrola Museum you can learn about opera diva Luisa Tetrazzini and her namesake Chicken Tetrazzini and how Peach Melba, the most famous of all peach recipes, was created in 1893 to celebrate Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba’s visit to London.

Featured at the Biggs Museum of American Art is the exhibition, Edward W. Redfield: Just Values and Fine Seeing, and Biggs Kids children’s programming. Delaware State Museums’ Quilt Exhibit continues at the Visitor Center, and Legislative Hall, the State House Museum and Museum Square sites will also offer tours.

Centrally located free parking is available at the Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street.

The First State Heritage Park at Dover is an interagency partnership between the Delaware Department of State, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and the Delaware Economic Development Office. Governor Ruth Ann Minner created the First State Heritage Park Task Force by executive order in April 2004.

For more information about March First Saturday programs, the public may call 302-739-1173.

If You Go:
LEGISLATIVE HALL, Legislative Avenue

PHOTO ID IS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY TO LEGISLATIVE HALL.
Guided tours begin hourly, 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. The tour includes the
General Assembly chambers, the governor’s ceremonial office, the portrait gallery of
Delaware’s governors and military heroes, Jack Lewis murals and Delaware State
Museums’ exhibit of a selection of items recovered from the De Braak shipwreck.


DELAWARE PUBLIC ARCHIVES, 121 Duke of York Street

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Irish American Family Research 101: the Basics
Presenter: Nancy Lyons
This program focuses on identifying the collections needed to locate the Irish place of origin of your Irish ancestor in American records. Census records, church records, vital records, wills, naturalizations, and passenger manifests are some examples of the records to be discussed.

The Bill of Rights Returns Again to Delaware
The “Jewel Box” at the Archives features a return visit of Delaware’s copy of the Bill of Rights, Permanently housed at the National Archives, it returned to Delaware in 2003 for the first time since 1789. Through a 25-year agreement with the National Archives, the state's copy of the Bill of Rights will reside in Delaware from December 7 (Delaware Day) to July 4 each year, returning to the National Archives for conservation work during the intervening time. While it is here, it is being stored and displayed under strictly regulated humidity, temperature and lighting conditions. Security surrounding the iconic document is also tight. It is contained in a protective case and an armed guard will stand watch whenever it is on display. The case is housed inside a safe, which will be secured after exhibition hours. Motion detectors and other intruder-detection sensors protect the safe itself.

DELAWARE STATE MUSEUMS
Delaware State Visitors Center, 406 Federal Street

10 a.m. – Noon: Ann Baker Horsey presents a continuous discussion on the art, history and design of Delaware quilts. Basic quilting demonstrations also featured.

1 p.m. – 3 p.m.: “The Technique of Appliqué” presented by Flo Gomory and “Hand Quilting” presented by Angie Kaskeski.

Special Exhibition: Stitches of Art and Comfort: Delaware Quilts, 1740-2002
The American tradition of quilting is celebrated in this display of 100 unique Delaware-made quilts whose colors and patterns provide clues to the history and culture of the state, the region and the nation from the 18th century to the present. The quilts featured in this newly opened exhibition have been selected from the permanent collection of Delaware State Museums and include eight quilts on loan.

Featuring quilts from all the recognized period styles of quilt history and representing all areas of the state of Delaware, each piece reflects the personality and passion of its maker. Quilts were made to commemorate births, engagements, marriages, friendships, partings and deaths – serving as a remembrance of an event.

State House Museum, The Green
Ongoing tours. Special feature: Commemorating the 85th anniversary of women’s suffrage, historic interpreters will lead visitors through Delaware’s role in the ratification of the 19th amendment.

Museums Square, Bank Lane and New Street:
• Johnson Victrola Museum: Featuring the stories behind legendary dishes such as Chicken Tetrazzini and Peach Melba.
• Archaeology Museum
• Museum of Small Town Life


THE BIGGS MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, 406 Federal Street

Special Exhibition: Edward W. Redfield: Just Values and Fine Seeing
A retrospective exhibition of works by Bridgeville native and leading Pennsylvania Impressionist artist, Edward W. Redfield. Features 20 works spanning the artist's career. The exhibition runs through April 26 and includes student drawings, a personal journal, seascapes, a cityscape, as well as the Bucks County seasonal landscapes for which he is best remembered. Craft items produced by Redfield also will be on view.

BIGGS KIDS 2:00 p.m. “Celebrating Spring!” On the first Saturday of each month, the Biggs Museum offers special programs designed for children ages 5 to 10! Hands-on activities and fun for the whole family. Call the Biggs at 302-674-2111 to reserve a space.

 

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