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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.
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
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
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
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
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 Students will also explore literacy through historical documents, identifying the context, audience, point of view and purpose of a primary source.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
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:
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:
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:
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:
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
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
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
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:
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
Please email archives@delaware.gov or call (302) 744-5000 with all inquiries regarding the Archives’ DE250 Resources.
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