November 2010

Discover Milton’s history: explore daily life through four centuries of photos, paintings, maps and documents. The permanent exhibit panels feature an overview of Milton’s history, beginning with the Native Americans who lived there before the arrival of European settlers. The exhibit highlights Milton’s heyday as a shipbuilding center and offers a snapshot of Milton from the Civil War through the 1960s.

The Delaware History Center dominates the 500 block of Market Street Mall in downtown Wilmington and is composed of the Delaware History Museum, Old Town Hall, Willingtown Square, and HSD's research library.

The Historic Houses of Odessa offers guided tours all year long of five historic houses and the adjacent properties, giving visitors a glimpse backward to what life was like in Cantwell's Bridge, Delaware in the 18th century. The town features an enclave of 18th and early 19th century buildings which includes the Corbit-Sharp House (c.1774); Wilson-Warner House (c. 1769); Collins-Sharp House (c. 1700); Brick Hotel (c. 1822); and Odessa Bank (c.1853). Within the houses, the Historic Odessa Foundation's collection of over 4,000 objects spans an interpretive period in regional decorative arts from 1760 through 1850. In addition to many pieces of original family furniture made by prominent Delaware cabinetmakers of the 18th century, the collection includes major works of regional paintings, prints, textiles, silver, pewter, and other metals. The Foundation's collection is steeped in Delaware history and rich in the finest examples of mid-Atlantic craftsmanship.

Hendrickson House, built in 1690 near Crum Creek in Pennsylvania and was moved to its present site on the grounds of Old Swedes Church in 1950. The farmhouse, featuring a great fireplace and winding corner stairs, contains colonial artifacts, Old Swedes Library and a Swedish gift shop.

The purpose of the museum is to preserve, protect and present Wallowa County History, both Indian and settlers; and to aid students, historians, and families in research. The museum has between 9,000 to 10,000 visitors during the season; most of them tourists. The museum is closed during the winter. However, the museum accommodates special requests during the off-season. People are asked to contact Ann Hayes if they are interested. Research and picture copying is done all year by request.

The board of directors at present time are: Caryl Coppin (chairman), Shandon Towers, Jane Tippett, Mildred McAnulty, Jack Harmon, Bill Fisher, Bill Kirby, Bob Casey, and Elane Dickenson.

Washington County Historical Society has been the dedicated guardian of the county's notable history for 50 years now. But the society's roots reach much further back than 1956, when the present organization incorporated. Many of the thousands of immigrants who poured into what is now the State of Oregon over the Oregon Trail settled, ultimately, in what is now Washington County. For most this was a remarkable life-defining experience that demanded to be memorialized and remembered. Thus it was that people began to form groups, gathering to share stories of the trail, to reminisce, and to celebrate their mutual unique accomplishment.

The Friends of Auburn Heights Preserve Inc. and the smaller team of mechanics who operate the Preserves collection called The Marshall Steam Team is a non-profit support group founded six years ago to help maintain and operate the Marshall Museum which includes a premier collection of 14 antique Stanley Steam cars as well as other vehicles and a 1/8th size miniature live steam railroad.

The Marshall Steam Team has spent the past five years learning to maintain and operate the Stanley Steam cars and other vintage vehicles in the Marshall Museum at Auburn Heights. The cars have been taken to many car shows and special events in the Delaware Valley, participated in parades, and hosted numerous special events befitting non-profit organizations such as Preservation Delaware, the Lions Eye Bank, the Wilmington and Western Rail Road, and the Ashland Nature Society, to name just a few. In addition, improvements have been made to the exhibits featuring local Yorklyn history in the Marshall Museum and also maintained and operated the live steam 1/8 size Auburn Valley Railroad which encircles the property.

Established by Governor Ruth Ann Minner in 2004, The First State Heritage Park represents a partnership between the Delaware Department of State, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and the Delaware Economic Development Office. The state's first "park without boundaries" links historical and cultural sites in the capital city of Dover.

The Delaware Public Archives is one of the oldest public archives programs in the country. Created by the General Assembly in 1905, the Archives cut the ribbon on its current home on December 7, 2000. 

The mission of the Delaware Public Archives is three-fold:

1. to identify, collect, and preserve public records of enduring historical and evidential value;
2. to ensure access to public records for present and future generations of Delawareans; and
3. to advise and educate in the creation, management, use, and preservation of public records.

The Archives holds more than 40,000 cubic feet of government records and historical documents.

Established in 1993, the Sewell C. Biggs Museum of American Art Museum houses one of the finest collections of American fine and decorative arts.

Special features of the permanent collection include the only comprehensive representational American paintings collection on the Delmarva Peninsula with highlights by the Peale family, Albert Bierstadt, Gilbert Stuart, and Childe Hassam. Experience a variety of art forms such as sculptures by Hiram Powers and images by Brandywine School illustrator, Frank E. Schoonover. View Examples of furniture by early-American cabinetmakers such as, the Javier family of Odessa, and William Savery of Philadelphia. The Museum also houses one of the finest collections of regional silver in the country.

The Biggs offers changing exhibitions throughout the year relating to historical and contemporary art topics. Intimate galleries offer guests an unexpected and personal experience with the collection. The museum supports the public education of art through educational programming for adults and children and special events designed to bring art to everyone.