Since 1930, state archivists have marked more than 570 places that left a mark on Delaware's history.
In the next week, they'll add a new home, building and school to that list. The sites slated to be marked are in Milton, Hockessin and Georgetown. State archivist Steven Marz says the public suggests these places to mark, and the Public Archives researches their stories.
"Delaware's the First State. It's a very historic state," Marz says. "And because of that, there's a lot of areas that have historical importance and significance as we've outlined the history of this state and as we still continue to make historic inroads."
Most of the time, says marker program coordinator Sarah Denison, the sites people nominate will make the cut.
"It's so popular because it really makes people feel like they're a part of the process," she says. "So often, we watch things happen around us, but this is one of those instances where Delawareans can have a really substantial hand in contributing to the community and bringing light to parts of history that are probably not talked about as frequently, but are no less important."
She says about 60 sites are in the queue for potential markers.
The next week's additions will include Tweed's Tavern, a popular place of rest dating to the 1700s; the historic home of Milton's "Holly Wreath Man," Charles G. Jones; and one of the last remaining du Pont schools, which opened in the early 1900s for Delaware's African-American youth.
In her research on the Richard Allen Elementary School, Denison says she heard from many former students who'd gone on to be community leaders.
"You have not only a historic site, but it produced a lot of really influential people who then came back and contributed to Delaware," she says.
Some of those people are expected at the ceremony to unveil the marker at 5 Railroad Ave. in Georgetown on Friday, June 19 at 11 a.m.. The Tweed's Tavern dedication will be Monday, June 15 in Hockessin. And the Milton Wreath house ceremony is slated for 9 a.m. Saturday, June 13 at 26285 Broadkill Rd.
Watch Delaware Public Media's "History Matters" on history of holly wreath's in Milton: