History Matters: Game night delivers history lessons

By Isreal Hale

Published February 20, 2026 at 8:50 AM EST

The Delaware Public Archives' Road to Liberty board game.

The 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States is fueling an interest in the history of that time period.

And the Delaware Public Archives is trying to tap into that interest in some non-traditional ways.

Earlier this month, the Archives held its first game night with games designed in-house by Archives staff and the Delaware Historical Society to help attendees to learn about the Revolutionary era and Delaware’s role in it.

In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Isreal Hale chats with Delaware Public Archives Reference Archivist Maria Myer and Delaware Historical Society Experience and Education Manger Garrett Hastings about these games and how they can generate interest in First State history.

DPM's Isreal Hale interviews the Delaware Public Archives' Maria Myer and the Delaware Historical Society's Garrett Hastings

The Delaware Public Archives held its first game night this month, featuring games designed by staff at Archives and the Delaware Historical Society.

The games, Road to Liberty and Blue Hens and Bugbears, are loosely based on the Candyland board game and Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game, and designed to teach those playing about the Revolutionary era of American history, and Delaware’s role in it.

“We’re excited to open our doors to the community a little bit more, get the community a little bit more engaged in what we do here… we were excited to have people come in and have a good time,” said Delaware Public Archives Director Maegan Peterman.

Reference Archivist Maria Meyer, co-designer of Road to Liberty, says that game is designed with younger children in mind.

“Pretty simple, straightforward historical facts. We also have pretty specific locations. So, instead of the Peppermint Forest, we have Caesar Rodney’s ride; there’s a little blurb on the card about what Caesar Rodney’s ride was. It’s not as in-depth as you’d probably find in a book, but it’s fit more for 4th graders.” she said.

The Historical Society brought “Blue Hens and Bugbears,” designed by its Experience and Education Manager Garrett Hastings. He says it's based on the roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons and that gives the game a unique aspect when considering educational value.

“Blue Hens and Bugbears was very much a learning by doing kind of activity. So you are put in the same scenario, but you very much do not have to make the same decisions that people made back in the day.” he told DPM.

This is not the first time Blue Hens and Bugbears has been showcased, and Hastings says it won’t be the last.There will be another event showcasing the game at the New Castle County Courthouse on March 20th. Registration is available on the Historical Society website.

Archives staff is interested in holding similar game nights, particularly on weekends to accommodate school aged children, but none have been scheduled yet.