Come Rain or Shine: Weather at the Delaware Public Archives

Drawing from the records housed in the Delaware Public Archives, this presentation explores the profound relationship between Delaware’s people and its weather—both the blessings and the challenges. Beginning with significant and destructive weather events, such as the Blizzard of 1888 and the Hurricane of 1962, we then turn to how Delaware’s often sunny and inviting coastal climate has historically attracted tourists, as seen in our collections of vintage postcards.

The state’s rapidly changing weather patterns could also be perilous, particularly for those working in the marshes. We’ll examine the predictive methods and warning systems developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s. Finally, we’ll delve into how weather shaped the daily lives of Delaware residents, showcasing deeply personal and insightful records, such as the farming journal from the Frazier collection and the Civil War-era diaries of Sgt. Townsend Downes, Spencer Hitch, and William Cloud Lodge.