Delawareans can celebrate the holidays like the state’s forefathers this weekend in Dover.
First State Heritage Park will celebrate Delaware Day with an exploration of not only the founders themselves, but how they lived.
Regular educational activities are usually on the first Saturday of every month. But for Delaware Day this Saturday, The Green will host additional tours and programs, in addition to tours of Legislative Hall and the Kent County Courthouse. Each activity planned will explore The Green’s role in the state’s history.
Sarah Zimmerman, interpretative program director with First State Heritage Park, says there’s much to learn.
“William Penn laid it out all the way back in the 1700s,” Zimmerman said. “And The Green has been the central gathering point for all the citizens of Dover for the last 300 years. We’ve had military reviews, we’ve had market fairs, we’ve had rallies and political activities.”
Visitors can check out a number of events at The John Bell House. One such program will focus on a more tasty aspect of the 18th century. A Revolution in Beverages: Coffee, Tea and Chocolate will offer a glimpse at how many winter drinks we still enjoy today played a critical role in colonial-era politics.
“Coffee houses are something that we think of as a modern invention,” added Zimmerman. “Coffee houses were around in the 18th century, but they were more than just a place to get a drink. They were places that people gathered and they would talk about their politics. And they really came up with a lot of the ideas that we value today as American ideals.”
The tours and activities will be held throughout the day near The Green in Dover. More information on specific events and activities, can be found at First State Heritage Park’s website.
