The Old State House

10/24/2026

We're two weeks away from the Delaware Heritage Festival!

The Old State House will have quill pen writing demonstrations throughout the day and talk about Delawareans who served and contributed to the War of 1812

10/23/2026

On this day 25 years ago

Apple introduced the original iPod (now called iPod classic). This was the beginning of digital music and content which made consumers move away from portable cassette and CD players. With the iPod you could have up to a thousand songs at your fingertips. Just think of how many cassettes or CDs you'd have to own to get that many songs!

With a device the size of a deck of playing cards Apple helped revolution the music industry. Steve Jobs said “With iPod, listening to music will never be the same again.”

Initial iPod sales went well with 350,000 devices purchased in the first year, but it really took off when the 2002 model had Windows-compatible software then Apple introduced the iTunes store the following year. These advances helped create the modern digital music landscape that we thrive on today.

Many versions and generations of iPod came along over the next 20 years before the company discontinued their production. It's estimated that over 450 million devices were sold.

Image description: a first generation iPod with a white casing, small screen and control buttons surrounding a center circular wheel that allowed users to browse their music

10/21/2026

If you're looking for something to do on Sunday afternoon in New Castle!

And don't forget Saturday is William Penn Day!

Looking for a way to celebrate this Halloween season while learning about Delaware history? Join us on Sunday, October 25, while we ask the question: how does fear make the natural world around us ominous?

MacLaren M. Remy will present "The Pup in the Pit," a short program that explores the history of wolf hunting in colonial Delaware, from Edmund Cantwell’s efforts to control wolves to the use of wolf pits throughout the colony. More than simply a story of predator control, it asks where these anxieties about wolves came from and what they reveal about how early Anglo-Delawareans understood the natural world around them.

Guided tours of the museum will be shortened to 30 minutes to allow visitors to attend The Pup in the Pit program at the end of a tour. Visitors can also attend the program without joining a tour.

Guided Tours - 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm, and 4:30 pm
The Pup in the Pit - 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 5:00 pm

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Image Description: Drawing of wolf with gray fur and tongue hanging out of mouth, with text at the bottom reading "Wolf," "Lupus," and "Loup." Text added at top of image reads "The Pup in the Pit," "Wolves, Anxiety, and the Natural World in Colonial Delaware," and "October 25, 2026."

Image Credit: de Boodt, Anselmus Boetius. Wolf (Canis lupus). Wolf. / Lupus. / Loup. Wikimedia Commons. c. 1596-1610. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wolf_(Canis_lupus)_Wolf._Lupus._Loup._(titel_op_object),_RP-T-BR-2017-1-1-61.jpg.

10/16/2026

In case you missed last weekend's opening of the new John Dickinson Plantation Visitor Center, here are some photos!

10/15/2026

Congratulations to Jessica Liu from Christina School District's Wilson Elementary School for being named Delaware's Teacher of the Year 2027!

A multilingual learner teacher from the Christina School District is Delaware’s 2027 State Teacher of the Year. Dr. Jessica Liu of Etta J. Wilson Elementary School now is Delaware’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year. Secretary of Education Cindy Marten made the announcement tonight during...

10/14/2026

In case you missed our first Delaware Friends of Folk concert last Friday, here's the lineup for the rest of the season. All shows start at 7:30pm

10/10/2026

For our first Friends of Folk concert of the season the audience was treated to a performance by Kate Mills including a sing along!

10/07/2026

It'll be a busy Saturday in Downtown Dover this week with both the Amish Bike Tour and the DSU Homecoming Parade in the morning. Hopefully everyone has a good, safe time!

🚨 BUSY WEEK AHEAD: DOVER TRAFFIC & PARKING ADVISORY

It’s DSU Homecoming week! With events happening throughout the week, expect increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic, especially near campus throughout the entire week.

🚨Saturday, October 10, will be particularly busy with multiple major events occurring throughout Dover:

🚴 Amish Country Bike Tour — Starting at 7 a.m.
Cyclists will depart from Legislative Mall and travel throughout the greater Dover area, including roads outside city limits, for several hours. Use EXTREME CAUTION near riders, slow down, and give them plenty of room.
Info and Routes: https://www.bikede.org/amish-country-bike-tour/

🥁 DSU Homecoming Parade — 10 a.m.
Parade lineup begins at 9 a.m., with the parade traveling through downtown Dover and ending at DSU Downtown. Expect street closures, crowds, and delays as parade activities may overlap with the bike tour road closures.

🏈 DSU Homecoming Football — 1 p.m.
The Hornets take on Franklin Pierce University at Alumni Stadium, with gates opening at 11 a.m. Homecoming activities will bring additional traffic around campus and along Route 13. Expect congestion throughout the day and into the evening hours.

🅿️ ABOUT THAT “PERFECT” PARKING SPOT…
Some property managers in the area of DSU have notified Dover Police that they will tow vehicles parked for DSU events instead of visits to their businesses.

Those parking restrictions and towing decisions are controlled by the property managers, not Dover Police. Read and follow posted signs and regulations before parking on any private property and use authorized event parking only! An empty parking space at a business is not a permission slip-they can restrict parking and can have your vehicle towed!

Please plan ahead, allow extra travel time, follow officers’ directions, and watch carefully for pedestrians and cyclists. Enjoy the festivities, pack some patience, and help everyone get home safely!

10/06/2026

This Saturday visit the John Dickinson Plantation to see their new visitor center and take part in all the activities for Revolutionary Trades Day!

SAVE THE DATE!

The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs (HCA) cordially invites you to the John Dickinson Plantation Visitor Center Opening and Ribbon Cutting.

When: Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM

Where: 250 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE 19901

We are thrilled to open this new facility, which features dedicated community meeting space and exciting educational opportunities. The grand opening will mark the debut of our new exhibition, “One Land Many Voices.”

Following the ceremony, we invite you to stay and enjoy Revolutionary Trades Day, running from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

This event is free and open to the public. We look forward to celebrating with you!