Delaware’s Struggle for Women’s Right to Vote
In March 1920, Governor John G. Townsend called a special session of the Delaware General Assembly to vote on the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Suffrage and anti-suffrage groups descended on Dover that spring to try to sway the vote in their favor. On May 5, 1920, the Delaware Senate ratified the amendment. The House […]
Governor Samuel Paynter
SC-162: A native and lifelong resident of this area, Samuel Paynter was born at Drawbridge on the Broadkill River on August 24, 1768. He was a successful merchant, farmer, and mill-owner, whose prosperity was closely linked to the commerce of the river. Widely respected and known for his outstanding character, he was a member of […]
Home of Allen McLane
KC-60A: For many years this home was the property of Colonel Allen McLane, statesman, and hero of the American Revolution. Born in Philadelphia August 8, 1746, McLane had moved to Delaware by 1769. His military career began when he was commissioned as an officer in the state militia in 1775. After the outbreak of the […]
South Wilmington – Cradle of African American Political Leadership
William J. Winchester, after serving 16 years on Wilmington City Council, became the first of his race elected to the Delaware House of Representatives. He served from 1948 until his death in 1952. Herman M. Holloway, Sr., became the first African-American elected to the State Senate in 1964. Henrietta Johnson was the first African-American female […]
