Dozens of programs are in store as Delaware prepares to celebrate African American History Month.
State-run museums from New Castle to Lewes will offer a glimpse into the lives of African Americans who contributed to the culture of Delaware.
Jim Yurasek, spokesman for the state Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, says these programs feature people that popular history might have overlooked.
“The programs that we’re doing focus on, what you would say, maybe the unsung heroes or people who were not famous, but have a very, very interesting story to tell,” said Yurasek.
He says some are one-time presentations. One of these tells the story of a free man who bought his own children out of slavery to set them free.
Yurasek says another features Victor Records, one of the first companies to see the potential of African American musicians.
He says that company has local ties.
“These great musicians —some of our greatest of all time—were originally recorded by the Victor Talking Machine Company. And E.R. Johnson, who founded that company, was born in Delaware and grew up in Dover,” said Yurasek.
The Johnson Victrola Museum will play early recordings of Duke Ellington, Fats Waller and others throughout February.
Other programs include the history of slavery in the First State, the Underground Railroad and Abraham Lincoln’s efforts to turn Delaware into a free state.
Here's a complete listing at this month's African-American History Month offerings from the State of Delaware:
Ongoing
“Emeline Hawkins: Her Journey from Slavery to Freedom on the Underground Railroad.”
Exhibit chronicles the compelling story of Emeline Hawkins and her family and their 1845 odyssey on the Underground Railroad from slavery in Maryland, through Delaware to freedom in Pennsylvania. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, Del. Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.
Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013
“Mardi Gras and All That Jazz."
Explore the sounds of Mardi Gras and New Orleans jazz and the contributions made to those genres by Victor Records, accompanied by early recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover, DE 19901. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.
Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013
“Delaware’s USCTs.”
Utilizing the exhibit, “The Civil War: Five Delaware Soldiers’ Stories,” as a backdrop, guided tours explore the soldiers known as U.S. Colored Troops who enlisted from Delaware. First Saturday in the First State program. First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, 121 Duke of York St., Dover, DE 19901. Guided tours at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.
Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013
“A World Apart.”
African-American-history-based tours focus on Dinah Patten and her life on St. Jones Neck. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE 19901. 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.
Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013
“Jubilee: Letters From the Front.”
Dondel Productions presents a performance based on the actual radio program created by the U.S. Armed Forces Radio Service to buoy the spirits of African-American service personnel during World War II. First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE 19901. Performances at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.
Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013
“History Goes Hollywood.”
African American History Month screening of “Whispers of Angels: A Story of the Underground Railroad,” an award-winning film that examines the firsthand efforts of Thomas Garrett, William Still and Harriet Tubman in helping to free American slaves. Starring Ed Asner and Blair Underwood. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.
Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013
“Jubilee: Letters From the Front.”
Dondel Productions presents a performance based on the actual radio program created by the U.S. Armed Forces Radio Service to buoy the spirits of African-American service personnel during World War II. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720. Performance at 2 p.m. Museum open 1:30.–4:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.
Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013
“Unsung Heroes of Victor: Fats Waller and Jellyroll Morton.”
Museum tours focus on African-American jazz musicians Fats Waller and Jellyroll Morton and their contributions to Victor Records and the music industry, accompanied by early recordings of those artists played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover, DE 19901. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.
Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013
“A World Apart.”
African-American-history-based tours focus on Violet Brown and her life with the Dickinson family. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE 19901. 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.
Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013
“Compensation to Proclamation: Delaware and the Emancipation Proclamation.”
Program traces the lead-up to Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation which was issued on January 1, 1863. Lincoln’s attempt to get Delaware and other Border States to end slavery was an important prelude to the proclamation. Hear viewpoints from Delaware leaders on both sides of the debate to end slavery in 1862. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE 19901. Program at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.
Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013
“Vincent Summers.”
Theatrical presentation explores the true story of a free-black father who bought the freedom of his children. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.
Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013
“Unsung Heroes of Victor: Paul Robeson and Marian Anderson.”
Museum tours focus on African-American vocalists Paul Robeson and Marian Anderson and their contributions to Victor Records and the music industry, accompanied by early recordings of those artists played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover, DE 19901. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.
Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013
“A World Apart.”
African-American-history-based tours focus on Cato and Pompey and their service to Samuel and John Dickinson. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE 19901. 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.
Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013
“Stories of Freedom.”
African American History Month program in which historical interpreters present “A Black Man’s Journey” and “A Judge’s Ruling,” living-history performances that bring to life the attitudes of Delaware citizens during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE 19901. Programs at 1 and 3 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.
Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013
“Follow the Drinking Gourd.”
Interactive Underground Railroad program for children Pre-K through 4th grade based on the book “Follow the Drinking Gourd.” New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720. Program at 2 p.m. Registration required. Museum open 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.
Monday, Feb. 18, 2013
“Lost by One Vote.”
Theatrical program brings to life the attitudes of Delaware citizens during the 19th century concerning enslavement and the abolition of slavery. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE 19901. Program at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.
Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013
“Unsung Heroes of Victor: Duke Ellington.”
Museum tours focus on African-American jazz legend Duke Ellington and his contributions to Victor Records and the music industry, accompanied by early Ellington recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover, DE 19901. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.
Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013
“Stories of African-American History From St. Jones Neck.”
Learn about the free and enslaved black people who lived on the John Dickinson Plantation during the 18th century. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE 19901. Program 10:30 a.m.–Noon. Museum open 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.
Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013
“Stories of Freedom.”
African American History Month program in which historical interpreters present “End Slavery, Stop the War” and “A Judge’s Ruling,” living-history performances that bring to life the attitudes of Delaware citizens during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover, DE 19901. Programs at 1 and 3 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.
Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013
"What Would You Take on the Underground Railroad?”
An interactive program exploring the hardships endured by freedom-seeking slaves as they escaped through the state of Delaware. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.
WDDE’s Black History Month coverage is made possible, in part, by the Delaware Humanties Forum – the state arm of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Delaware Humanities Forum helps Delawareans learn about life and work by connecting them with other people, cultures and ideas.
