Howard High School
Founded in 1867 by the Association for the Moral Improvement and Education of Colored People and named for Civil War General Oliver Otis Howard, the original school was located at 12th and Orange Streets.Pierre S. DuPont was the major benefactor for the new building, opened in 1928 on this site. With the annexation of the […]
Anthony: Delaware’s First Known Black Settler
NC-80: installed in 1998. A black man named Anthony was among the first permanent settlers of New Sweden. He came to the colony from the West Indies in 1639 aboard the Swedish ship the Vogel Grip. Records indicate that Black Anthony became a free man named Antoni Swart, an employee of Governor Johan Printz, […]
Camp Brandywine
NC-78: Originally Installed in 1966. In the Civil War, the first camp of this name was at the Wilmington Fair Grounds for the First and Second Delaware Regiments. The same name was given this site in September 1862 for a camp of Pennsylvania troops sent to guard powder mills. They were relieved by the […]
Duncan Beard
NC-72: Originally Installed in 1939. Duncan Beard, a Delaware lock-maker and silversmith of great distinction lived and labored here for about thirty years until his death in 1797. Was a prominent member of Old Drawyers Presbyterian Church. Made a contract with the State of Delaware in 1776 for the manufacture of gun locks. […]
Hale-Byrnes House (aka: Meeting Place of Washington’s Officers)
George Washington’s “General Staff Headquarters” on September 6, 1777. Here Generals Washington, Lafayette, Wayne, Maxwell, Sullivan, and Greene planned defense of Wilmington. House built circa 1750 by Samuel Hale. Owner 1776 – Daniel Byrnes – a miller and preacher. Restored by Delaware Society for Preservation of Antiquities. Donated to State in 1971. NCC-50: Installed in […]
The Wedge
NC-36 Here between Maryland and the Delaware curve is a wedge-shaped tract of about 800 acres. For more than a century claimed by Pennsylvania but governed by Delaware. A joint commission appointed 1889 from both states awarded it to Delaware. Ratified by Pennsylvania 1897, by Delaware 1821, and by Congress 1921. […]
Robert Kirkwood, Jr.
NCC-34: Born in 1756, Robert Kirkwood, Jr. spent his youth on the family farm several miles north of Newark. Kirkwood eventually enrolled at the Newark Academy, later to become the University of Delaware. When the American Revolution began, Kirkwood was commissioned first lieutenant in the Delaware Regiment under the command of Colonel John Haslet. He […]
Landing Place of William Penn
NC-25: Near here October 27, 1682, William Penn first stepped on American soil. He proceeded to the fort and performed Livery of Seisin. “He took the key, thereof,. . . . We did deliver unto him 1 turf with a twig upon it, a porringer with river water and soyle, in part of all”. Installed […]
Fort Casimir
NCC-23: One hundred feet to the east of this point is site of Fort Casimir. Erected by Dutch 1651. Taken by Swedes 1654, called Fort Trafaldigheets or Trinity, retaken by Dutch under Petrus Stuyvesant in person September 11, 1655. Installed in 1932. Sponsors: Historic Markers Commission, 1932 Marker Photo Gallery: Resources Related to New Castle, […]
Marking Delaware History with Historical Markers
This blog is part of a special behind the scenes series for Archives Month. Kate Fair, markers coordinator Delaware has over 570 historical markers located throughout the state. Historical markers are first proposed by members of the public, vetted for historical significance by the Delaware Public Archives, and financially sponsored by state senators and representatives. The Delaware Historical […]
