The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is offering 14 special events across the First State during the month of February, and more than half of them commemorate African American History Month.
Jim Yurasek is the public information officer for the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.
He says these programs are important.
“African Americans have contributed tremendously to the history of the United States and of course as we all know, for many years, that was kept relatively under wraps - not promoted as much as it should have been,” said Yurasek.
Programs include The Summers Family: A Generational Story, which delves into two slave children being granted freedom and a lecture by Jim Blackwell with the Seaford Museum on African Americans on the Eastern Shore (Sat., Feb. 15 at the Zwannendael Museum in Lewes from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
The Summers Family progran is Sat., Feb. 8 at the Old State House in Dover from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, while African Americans on the Eastern Shore is Sat., Feb. 15 at the Zwannendael Museum in Lewes from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Yurasek says another program - called The African American Experience in Delawareis planned for Saturday, February 15, 2020.
“We’re going to be talking about the history from the earliest days through….this will cover to the 20th Century," said Yurasek. "So we’re talking about the experience that black people have had in this State and the difficult time that they live through - through the days of slavery and into segreation.”
Yurasek says The African American Experience in Delaware will be hosted by historic-site interpreter Dennis Fisher at the Old State House on The Green in Dover, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Other programs include The Women’s Suffrage Movement: Below the Color Lineon Sat., Feb 22 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Old State House in Dover and an exhibit entitled The Path to Freedom: A History of the Underground Railroad in Delaware at the Zwannendael Museum in Lewes - through March 31.
More information about all of the program can be found here.
