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In support and celebration of Delaware 250 and the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, the Delaware Public Archives proudly presents a collection of resources highlighting Delaware’s pivotal role in the Revolutionary War and America’s path to independence, along with materials to foster continued learning about Delaware’s rich history.

Below are links to subject guides, digitized archival collections, lesson plans, eBooks, and other resources. Please stay tuned for event updates, blog posts, and more as we approach July 4th, 2026.


Available Resources

Lesson Plans

Battle of Lexington

Continental vs. British Soldiers

Grade Level: 4-5

In this lesson, students will compare the British and American Armies using “The battle of Lexington” published by John H. Daniels & Son, and Percy Moran’s “Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga.” Students will also view and analyze a letter written by an Army officer from Delaware to the President (Governor) of Delaware during the American Revolution to understand the challenges the Continental Army faced.

Teacher’s Plan: click here for the Lesson Plan

The Battle of Lexington

Burgoyne’s Surrender at Saratoga

Handouts 1 & 2

Transcription Source: Military Archives Vol. 1 p.126-127


photo of documents

Why is Delaware called The First State

Grade Level: 4-5

In this lesson, students will learn about Delaware and the problems Delaware faced under the Articles of Confederation. Students will learn why Delaware is called the first state and Delaware’s ratification process. Students will create a chronology of events leading to Delaware’s ratification of the United States Constitution and will identify cause and effect relationships between the events.

Teacher’s Plan: click here for the Lesson Plan

Handout # 1

Handout #s 2 and 3

Petition Document

Petition Transcript

Ratification Document

Ratification Transcript


the first page of the constitution of the USA

Adoption of the Constitution

Grade Level: Middle and High School

This worksheet is designed to assist students with literacy and historical thinking skills. Students will read a petition relating to Delaware’s ratification of the Constitution, then explain Historical Context, Audience, Purpose, Point of View, & Why.

Teacher’s Plan: click here for the Lesson Plan


an actor portraying Caesar Rodney

Caesar Rodney’s Ride

Grade Level: High School

Students will examine how historical accounts can differ by examining several primary sources relating to Caesar Rodney’s famous ride.

Teacher’s Plan: click here for the Lesson Plan


a map of the delaware bay

Choosing a Capital

Grade Level: Middle & High School

This lesson is twofold in purpose. Students will be able to define what a national capital is and what Delaware’s role in determining the U.S. capital was. Students will also explore literacy through historical documents, identifying the context, audience, point of view and purpose of a primary source.

Teacher’s Plan: click here for the Lesson Plan

Resource: Petition to congress by the Delaware Assembly to make Delaware or part of Delaware the Capital of the new country.


a photo of a desk with books

Civic Process

Grade Level: Middle & High School

This lesson has students hone their skills reading primary sources while applying their knowledge of ways to engage in the civic process. They will brainstorm ways they believe Delawareans could have contributed to the American Revolution. Then they will examine primary sources that show them ways citizens did participate and try to match them to the methods on their brainstormed list.

Teacher’s Plan: click here for the Lesson Plan

Resources:

Document A

Document B

Document C

Document D


an old document

Declaration of Independence

Grade Level: Middle & High School

Students will understand the principles and content of the Declaration of Independence and create a declaration for today.

Teacher’s Plan: click here for the Lesson Plan

Resources:

Lesson Plan Power Point

Lesson Plan GO


an old document

Letter of Marque and Reprisal

Grade Level: Middle & High School

Students will identify the context, content, and purpose of a primary source, while examining how Delawareans defend their waterways from British ships.

Teacher’s Plan: click here for the Lesson Plan

Resources:

George Read Letter


an old letter

Primary and Secondary Sources

Grade Level: Middle & High School

In this lesson, students will identify the difference between primary and secondary sources. Students will also be able to identify the benefits and disadvantages of each type of document to a researcher.

Teacher’s Plan: click here for the Lesson Plan

Resources:

Petition to The General Assembly in Support of Ratification

Word Map


a painting of a tavern in colonial times

The Constitution and Delaware

Grade Level: Middle & High School

Using the Delaware Public Archives website on historical markers in the state, students will examine pictures of significance to Delaware’s role in the creation of the constitution. Students will also read and analyze primary source material related to the adoption of the Constitution.

Teacher’s Plan: click here for the Lesson Plan

Resources:

Petition to The General Assembly to adopt the U.S. Constitution

The State of Delaware Historical Markers


a proclamation

Loyalists in Delaware

Grade Level: High School

Students will study Loyalists in Delaware during the American Revolution by examining several well-known incidents involving Loyalists in Delaware and creating a news report on them.

Teacher’s Plan: click here for the Lesson Plan

Resource: Thomas Robinson Treason Files


a map of the 13 colonies

Delaware and the Intolerable Acts

Grade Level: High School

In this lesson, students will read and analyze a document calling for citizens to support the people of Boston after the passage of the Intolerable Acts. Students will use a primary source in an engaging manner to answer questions relating to opinions about the British during the colonial period in Delaware.

Teacher’s Plan: click here for the Lesson Plan


an old document

The Enlightenment Comes to Delaware

Grade Level: High School

Students will read primary sources while applying their knowledge of Enlightenment ideals. Students will read sections of the Delaware Committee of Correspondence minutes and race each other to identify and explain Enlightenment ideals in the transcript. They will then reflect on how the Enlightenment shaped Delawareans’ understanding of the government.

Teacher’s Plan: click here for the Lesson Plan

Resources:

Lesson Slides

Document A

Documents B-F

Document G



Road To Liberty Board Game

Road To Liberty is an original board game created by Delaware Public Archives staff to help kids learn about Delaware’s role in the Revolutionary War. Designed for quick play – approximately 10 minutes – the game utilizes archival documents from the Archives’ collections as part of the journey. Players move their pieces along the board, draw Action and Chance cards, and encounter shortcuts, setbacks, and historical challenges along the way. All components, including the gameboard (20×20) and cards, are now available as PDFs, allowing families and classrooms to print and play!

Printing note: The gameboard is designed at 20×20 inches, but can also be printed across multiple sheets of paper and assembled for easier home or classroom use.


DE250 Themed Programs

The Delaware Public Archives offers diverse Delaware 250 programming throughout the state, including monthly First Saturday programs at the Archives facility, the popular Tavern Talks series hosted at historic taverns across Delaware in cooperation with First State Heritage Park, and educational events presented at libraries, schools, and community organizations statewide. These programs bring Delaware’s founding history directly to residents and visitors through accessible, locally-hosted presentations that celebrate our state’s pivotal role in America’s semiquincentennial.

Chuck Fithian presents on Delaware’s role in the Revolutionary War.
Chuck Fithian presents on Delaware’s role in the Revolutionary War during Teaching Revolution at 250: An Educator Symposium

Blog Posts

  • Defending Delaware

    Following the British army’s defeat at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781, many in the American Colonies assumed the Revolutionary War was nearly over. But uncertainty remained. Rumors spread that Britain was preparing a new offensive, one that could once again target the middle colonies. If true, Delaware would once again find itself on the…

    Read More

  • A Pirate’s Life for Me!

    Discover Delaware’s maritime challenges during the American Revolution, where both British and American privateers clashed along its coast. Learn about the Letters of Marque that empowered privateers like Robert Burton and Matthew Aiken to defend or disrupt colonial waters.

    Read More


A Note on Representation

This page has been created to highlight resources held by the Delaware Public Archives related to Delaware’s role in the Revolutionary War in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of America’s founding. While it strives to provide a comprehensive overview, it is important to acknowledge gaps in the information provided about women, Indigenous Peoples, free and enslaved Blacks, and other marginalized communities whose contributions and experiences have historically been overlooked in archival records and historical narratives.

We recognize these gaps and are actively working to identify and include materials and perspectives that reflect a fuller picture of Delaware’s diverse history during this period. This work is ongoing, and we welcome input, suggestions, or information that can help us expand and enrich our understanding.

For further inquiries or to share relevant resources, please email us at archives@delaware.gov.


Find more information about Delaware 250

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Contact Us

Please email archives@delaware.gov or call (302) 744-5000 with all inquiries regarding the Archives’ DE250 Resources.