Digitized collections from our archives and links to exhibits and resources to assist researchers, students, educators, and citizens. Please note that some of these links will open external websites such as CONTENTdm, Flickr, and YouTube.

The descriptions of our collections are available via the Delaware Public Archives Portal. Visit the Search Our Collections webpage to learn more.

We are dedicated to continuously reviewing and enhancing our descriptive practices to incorporate more respectful and inclusive terminology when possible. Please see our Harmful Content Advisory for more about these efforts.

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Online Exhibits

Becoming the First State – Delaware’s Road to Ratification: This exhibit was created to highlight selected documents related to Delaware’s ratification of the United States Constitution in 1787.

Civil War: A Sesquicentennial Commemoration of the Great State of Delaware in the American Civil War: Explore the history of Delawareans during the American Civil War through photographs, diaries, letters, service records, legislation, newspapers, and more.

Delaware’s Historic Houses of Worship: An online exhibit featuring a historic houses of worship in Delaware, complete with a link to a photo gallery.

Delaware: Then and Now Gallery: Photographs that compare Delaware locations from different eras. Completed with assistance from the Lion’s Club.

Dover Air Force Base: The Early Years: An online exhibit of selected photographs from the early years, available on Flickr and with more resources on CONTENTdm.

Examining the 17th Century Through the Documents of the Delaware Public Archives: This exhibit has images of some of the most important and interesting documents in our holdings from the seventeenth century. These range from the state charter and related leases and deed giving Delaware to William Penn, to humorous notations in an early court docket to lists of early settlers. Transcriptions accompany some of the documents.

First Naturalized Hispanic Settlers in Delaware: An exhibit tracing the records of the first Hispanic settlers in Delaware, that starts with naturalization records housed in the Delaware Public Archives. We trace three settlers from naturalization, marriage, census, death records.

Haunted Delaware: This exhibit features photos and stories about structures such as Fort Delaware, Rockford Mansion, and the Addy-Sea Inn, as well as locations like Lums State Park, Cooch’s Bridge, and Scott’s Run Bridge.

NEW – Roots of Renewal: The Civilian Conservation Corps in Delaware: This booklet features historical information and photographs from a digital exhibit highlighting the CCC’s work in Delaware, its lasting impact, and the contributions of African American enrollees.

Slavery Papers: This exhibit consists of selected manumission papers, birth records, petitions for freedom, and a bill of sale for enslaved African-Americans in Delaware.

State of Delaware Historical Markers Program: An online exhibit featuring markers from the State of Delaware Historical Markers Program, which began in 1931. This exhibit contains a page for each marker, with links to resources here at the Archives and external resources. A map and link to a photo gallery is included for each marker. This is updated weekly.

Storm of 1962: Photographs from one of the most destructive storms in the First State’s recorded history.

Tracing Your African American Roots in Delaware: This exhibit features eBooks, documents, photographs, and audio about early African American life in Delaware.

War of 1812: A Commemoration of the Great State of Delaware’s Role in the War of 1812: This exhibit includes eBooks, military reports, documents, and correspondence from Capt. Macdonough to Major Thomas Stockton and General John Stockton.