Delaware Public Archives Blog

From its early roots in Wilmington and Dover to the crowds and traditions of today, explore the history of the Delaware State Fair through photographs preserved at the Delaware Public Archives—including the remarkable work of longtime fair photographer Robert J. Bennett.

Rolled and curled documents are among the most common condition issues we see at the Delaware Public Archives, and they’re also among the easiest to worsen with a rushed fix. Before you reach for a stack of heavy books, learn how to do it the right way.

More than 100 photographs in the Clarence D. Sypherd Photograph Collection offer a personal look at life in Dover and beyond as the 19th century gave way to the 20th. Explore the people, places, and everyday moments preserved in this remarkable collection.

This summer, the Delaware Public Archives was fortunate to host two high schoolers who dedicated their time to helping us preserve, describe, and share Delaware’s history with the public. We’re excited to highlight their contributions below. Future Leaders Internship Initiative (FLii) Alexis and Liliana came to us through the Future Leaders Internship Initiative (FLii), a […]

The Archives’ Accessions Committee met on July 21, 2026, to assess 16 donations received during the third quarter of 2026. From the newly accessioned records, additions were made to several existing collections, including the robin brown Collection, Private Accounts and Business Records, the Davis Family Collection, the Richard H. Bailey Collection, and The Whale. Seven […]

One of the most rewarding aspects of archival work is uncovering unexpected connections between Delaware’s history and nationally significant events. While processing the James E. Marvil Collection, Archives staff discovered a series of color slides documenting U.S. Navy operations during the Vietnam War, including images of a young Lieutenant (junior grade) John Kerry while serving […]

Saturday, April 25, 2026, was a memorable day at Fort Delaware State Park. Community members, history enthusiasts, and state officials gathered in Delaware City for the unveiling of a State of Delaware Historical Marker for Fort Delaware. Several special guests gave remarks, including Delaware City Mayor Paul H. Johnson, Sr., Delaware Public Archives Director and […]

On April 15, 2026, the Accessions Committee approved a strong set of additions, including materials tied to USS Delaware (SSN-791), the robin brown Collection, WPA church archive inventories, a Delaware State Fair centennial film, and 1880s Delaware Volunteer Militia enlistment records. The quarter also added two new Research Room titles: Colonial Black and Indigenous Cultural Leaders and Delaware Behaving Badly: First State, True Crimes.

In the 1950s, Delaware was one of 17 states that required public schools to separate students by race. This system created deep and measurable inequalities between white and Black students. White schools received more funding, had better facilities, and offered stronger academic programs. In contrast, Black schools often faced neglect, overcrowding, outdated textbooks, and limited […]

During the Revolutionary War, the Delaware Militia played a vital role in defending the state, but their responsibilities went far beyond service on the battlefield. Many officers shouldered the burden of logistics and administration in addition to leading their troops. One such officer documented in our collections is Captain Isaac Carty of Kent County, who […]