Delaware Public Archives Blog

Farming and its related agricultural industries have been a major force in the social, cultural, and economic history of Delaware. Today, agriculture remains the state’s largest industry, generating over $1 billion in income from an array of crops, poultry, and livestock. On Saturday, August 2, at 10:30 a.m., Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee, will […]

Sarah Denison, processing archivist Today is the 50th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the Cape May – Lewes Ferry. Operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority, the fleet carries passengers and automobiles on the 80 minute journey across the mouth of the Delaware Bay 13 times a day on peak summer weekends. We’ve found some […]

On Saturday, July 5 at 10:30 a.m., the Delaware Public Archives will host a free presentation about the development of the early space suit at International Latex Corporation (ILC) in Delaware. Presentation will be given by Bill Ayrey, quality test laboratory manager and company historian for ILC Dover, and is free and open to the public.

  Sarah Denison, processing archivist This year marks the 65th and final year of the Delmarva Chicken Festival. Started in 1948, the Delmarva Chicken Festival is a celebration of the area’s poultry industry. Over the years, people flocked to the festival to see the world’s largest frying pan. With a 10 foot diameter and weighing […]

The Delaware Public Archives dedicated a new historic marker at the New Castle County Workhouse last week honoring the women who worked at the Workhouse as armed guards during World War II.

On Tuesday June 3rd, Governor Jack Markell, Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock, State Archivist Stephen Marz and members of the Delaware General Assembly commemorated Delaware’s role in World War II at a ceremony where the Delaware Public Archives formally accessioned the “William J. Kitchell Collection – Voices of War, World War II Series.” The ‘Voices […]

The D-Day invasion of Normandy is remembered as an American triumph and the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. On Saturday, June 7, 10:30 a.m. the Delaware Public Archives will commemorate the 70th anniversary of this pivotal day in American and World history with a special program at the Archives about the battle. This […]

The wars on land and sea during the late eighteenth century were an important part of Atlantic history, and unite the naval and maritime histories of many countries around the world. Consequently, a British warship named the DeBraak was escorting and protecting a convoy of British and American merchant ships en route to the United […]

If you were born, married, or attended public school in Delaware, eventually the Delaware Public Archives (DPA) will receive the information that documents these important events. On Saturday, April 5, 10:30 a.m. the staff of the Archives will conduct a tour of this remarkable facility. This annual “behind the scenes” tour of the building, conducted […]

Looking for a way to preserve those family photos and videos for future generations to see? On Saturday, March 15 at 10:30 a.m., the Delaware Public Archives will show how to preserve items such as old photographs, documents and digitized memories on CDs, DVDs, and flash drives. This workshop will provide you with the knowledge […]