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As the Delaware Memorial Bridge marks the 75th anniversary of its original span, explore the history of this iconic Delaware landmark through photographs and records preserved at the Delaware Public Archives. From its construction and expansion to its enduring role as a memorial to military service and sacrifice, discover the story behind the bridge’s not-quite-identical twin spans.

From Smokey the Worm to Delaware’s centuries-old State Bible, our archivists share surprising discoveries, favorite records, and answers to your Ask an Archivist Day questions.

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.

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 […]

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.

The Accessions Committee met on January 20, 2026, to review all proposed accessions received since the last quarterly meeting. All accepted donations have been pre-processed and assigned to archivists for further processing. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek at the latest additions to our holdings. New Collections Created: Indian River School District, Georgetown High […]

The Accessions Committee met on October 21, 2025, to review all proposed accessions received since the last quarterly meeting. All accepted donations have been pre-processed and assigned to archivists for further processing. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek at the latest additions to our holdings. New Collections Created: Private Sound Recordings, Ruth A. Piper […]

The Accessions Committee met on August 11, 2025, to review all proposed accessions received since the last quarterly meeting. All accepted donations have been pre-processed and assigned to archivists for further processing. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek at the latest additions to our holdings. New collections created: Existing collections expanded: Books added to […]