Separation Day

Join First State National Historical Park in celebrating the 250th anniversary of Separation Day in historic New Castle, Delaware. This milestone commemorates June 15, 1776, when the Lower Three Counties of Pennsylvania voted to separate from both Pennsylvania and the B......More

Join First State National Historical Park in celebrating the 250th anniversary of Separation Day in historic New Castle, Delaware. This milestone commemorates June 15, 1776, when the Lower Three Counties of Pennsylvania voted to separate from both Pennsylvania and the British Crown—an act that led to the creation of the state of Delaware.Festivities begin Friday evening with live music and local food throughout town. Saturday’s events open with a colonial-inspired parade, followed by children’s activities, hands-on interpretive programs, rides, games, food trucks, and live entertainment. The celebration concludes Saturday evening with a fireworks display.The event is organized by the City of New Castle and local community organizations. First State National Historical Park will support the celebration through interpretive programs, participation in the parade, and by providing staff to welcome visitors and answer questions throughout the weekend.

Great American Beaver Scavenger Hunt

Join us for the Great American Beaver Scavenger Hunt, a family-friendly activity. You or your group can complete a scavenger hunt in Fort Christina Park focused on world trade in early America. At the same time, you will collect pieces to make your own American beaver. ......More

Join us for the Great American Beaver Scavenger Hunt, a family-friendly activity. You or your group can complete a scavenger hunt in Fort Christina Park focused on world trade in early America. At the same time, you will collect pieces to make your own American beaver. Program lasts from 1-4 pm.

Dog Day of Summer- Hamilton

Join the New Castle Court House Museum on the New Castle Green for a showing of Hamilton and a discussion about some of the history behind the musical!This program is pet-friendly, so be sure to bring your furry friend along to enjoy the movie with you, just make sure t......More

Join the New Castle Court House Museum on the New Castle Green for a showing of Hamilton and a discussion about some of the history behind the musical!This program is pet-friendly, so be sure to bring your furry friend along to enjoy the movie with you, just make sure they remain on a leash. We hope to see you there!

211 Delaware Street, New Castle DE, 19720. On-street parking is available surrounding the New Castle Green.

Festival of Remembrance and Renewal at Old Swedes

Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of America and the continuing effort to realize the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Join us for performances by the Delaware 1st Regiment fife and drum band, Opera Delaware, Pieces of a Dream dance company, John Moore re-enacti......More

Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of America and the continuing effort to realize the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Join us for performances by the Delaware 1st Regiment fife and drum band, Opera Delaware, Pieces of a Dream dance company, John Moore re-enacting Martin Luther King speeches and VinTage Jazz Band.Visit with re-enactors from the Revolutionary and Civil War eras, tour the Old Swedes Burial Ground with graves of Revolutionary War figures and visit the NPS sponsored art show illustrating what American means to school-age children.The Festival is open to the public. There is no admission fee or parking fee.

Old Swedes Church and Historic Site (606 North Church Street, Wilmington DE)

Who was King George III?

American history portrays George III as either a tyrant or a mad king, but he was so much more! He was a husband and father, a patron of the arts and sciences, and a popular king among many of his subjects.Kick off your celebration of America’s 250th birthday week by ch......More

American history portrays George III as either a tyrant or a mad king, but he was so much more! He was a husband and father, a patron of the arts and sciences, and a popular king among many of his subjects.Kick off your celebration of America’s 250th birthday week by checking out this lecture-style presentation by Old State House Site Supervisor Gavin Malone as he explores the many facets of the Last King of America.

The Old State House (25 The Green, Dover DE, 19901).

Dog Day of Summer- 1776

Join the New Castle Court House Museum on the New Castle Green for a showing of 1776 and a discussion about some of the history behind the movie!This program is pet-friendly, so be sure to bring your furry friend along to enjoy the movie with you, just make sure they re......More

Join the New Castle Court House Museum on the New Castle Green for a showing of 1776 and a discussion about some of the history behind the movie!This program is pet-friendly, so be sure to bring your furry friend along to enjoy the movie with you, just make sure they remain on a leash. We hope to see you there!

211 Delaware Street, New Castle DE, 19720. On-street parking is available surrounding the New Castle Green.

4th of July at the Old State House

Visitors can stop by the Old State House in Dover, Delaware, to explore the state’s historic capitol building. Take a self-guided tour and interact with interpreters throughout the site who can share stories about Delaware’s role in the American Revolution and the state......More

Visitors can stop by the Old State House in Dover, Delaware, to explore the state’s historic capitol building. Take a self-guided tour and interact with interpreters throughout the site who can share stories about Delaware’s role in the American Revolution and the state’s rich Revolutionary-era history.Visitors can also participate in quill writing demonstrations led by historic site interpreter Susan Emory. Try your hand at writing as people did in the 18th century and experience a unique connection to the past.Readings of the Declaration of Independence will take place at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th birthday by hearing the Declaration read on Dover’s Historic Green, just steps from where the citizens of the town first heard those powerful words in July 1776. 

Located at the Old State House (25 The Green, Dover DE,19901)

What’s in a Flag?

This fun and educational family-friendly program explores the origins and symbolism of four flags related to the history of Fort Christina Park:SwedishFinnishStars and Stripes (American)Delaware State flags.After learning the history and significance of these flags, vis......More

This fun and educational family-friendly program explores the origins and symbolism of four flags related to the history of Fort Christina Park:SwedishFinnishStars and Stripes (American)Delaware State flags.After learning the history and significance of these flags, visitors will be invited to create their own symbolic/national flag. The event takes place at Fort Christina State Park and lasts from 1-4 pm.

New Castle History Camp

Travel through history with us this summer at the FREE New Castle History Summer Camp! This years camp will be focused on the history of government in New Castle and feature comparison of the government during the American Revolution in New Castle and conversations abou......More

Travel through history with us this summer at the FREE New Castle History Summer Camp! This years camp will be focused on the history of government in New Castle and feature comparison of the government during the American Revolution in New Castle and conversations about government today.At the end of each day you’ll test your skills as a historian by researching, and designing a creative group project that will be presented to friends and family at the New Castle Public Library. This camp is geared toward campers age 10-14 years old. 

211 Delaware Street, New Castle DE, 19720

Reading of the Declaration of Independence

Join the New Castle Court House Museum for a reading of the Declaration of Independence.Following the reading, there will be a small reenactment of the burning of the Court House’s tip staves, along with a discussion on civil disobedience during the Revolutionary War.Th......More

Join the New Castle Court House Museum for a reading of the Declaration of Independence.Following the reading, there will be a small reenactment of the burning of the Court House’s tip staves, along with a discussion on civil disobedience during the Revolutionary War.This program will begin at 6:00 p.m. We hope to see you there!

At the New Castle Court House Museum (211 Delaware Street, New Castle DE, 19720)