Country home of John Dickinson, one of the founding fathers of the United States and "Penman of the Revolution," the plantation is an example of a slave-holding property with a history of documented slave escapes. During the time of John Dickinson's ownership, at least three slaves attempted to flee. The conditions of life and the subsequent escape of Clem, a slave of Dickinson plantation tenant William White, provided the basis for HCA's Network to Freedom application which was written by Robin Krawitz, HCA's National Register of Historic Places Coordinator, with assistance from John Dickinson Plantation employees Gloria Henry and Vertie Fioca.

Landscapes appropriate to a home's architecture and time period can greatly enhance its beauty and functionality. Symposium participants will have an opportunity to explore landscaping approaches that range from restoration to adapting historic designs for modern living. Helpful resources will be reviewed and each participant will receive an heirloom plant for their own garden.

The Smyrna Downtown Renaissance Association is a nonprofit educational organization associated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is a member of Preservation Delaware. The Association is working to revitalize Smyrna's Historic District which includes over 400 structures on the National Register for Historic Places.

On May 10, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., the facility will host the first annual symposium on early colonial archaeology of the Delaware Valley. The program, entitled, "The 17th Century in the Delaware Valley: An Archaeological Symposium," will feature informal presentations on the practical aspects of the archaeology of this period. Sponsored by the Archaeological Society of Delaware, the program is designed to build a regional level dialog that can identify the uniqueness of the early colonial cultures of the Delaware Valley.

On May 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the court house will participate in "A Day In Old New Castle," the oldest historic house and garden tour in the nation. As part of the day's activities, visitors will have an opportunity to wander through more than 25 restored, 18th century private homes and gardens, museums, and churches. Included in the tours are mock colonial trials at the court house, costumed reenactments, period music and dancing, carriage rides, and other colonial living-history crafts and activities on the Historic Green.

For additional information, contact the New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware Street, New Castle, Delaware 19720, (302) 323-4453.

The Old State House exhibit recreates the setting of a portrait of Mabel Lloyd Ridgely, founder of Old Dover Days, painted by noted Delaware artist Orville Peets. A reproduction of this portrait hangs in the exhibit which also features the actual colonial-style dress that Ridgely wore annually during Old Dover Days, and in which she posed for the portrait. Ridgely, a noted artist and historic preservation activist, was also the founder of the Friends of Old Dover, and served as the chair of Old Dover Days until 1941, and honorary chair until her death in 1962.

The Delaware Visitor Center and Galleries exhibit provides a history of Old Dover Days from its origins in 1930 as the Dover Flower Show and Garden Days to the present. The exhibit's historical narrative is illustrated by a complete collection of Old Dover Days-related program booklets, as well as photographs and newspaper articles. A recreated maypole, symbol of the event, greets visitors as they enter the exhibit room.

Old Dover Days, sponsored by the Kent County Tourism Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Dover, is a weekend-long celebration of the First State's capital city featuring house and garden tours, a carriage parade, maypole dancing, an exhibit of memorabilia by The Friends of Old Dover, a food court, historic re-enactors, crafts, free entertainment, and more. The event is held on the first full weekend in May on The Green and Legislative Mall, two beautiful outdoor parks in Dover's historic downtown district. Admission to Old Dover Days is free and open to the public, and free parking is readily available. This year's Old Dover Days, to be held on May 2-4, 2008, will celebrate the event's 75th anniversary with expanded programming including the Old Dover Days Grand Ball on May 3, and a Tea Party on May 4.

Any persons who have reason to believe they may be next-of-kin to these individuals or have evidence that they have relatives buried in this location should contact the Director, Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, 21 The Green, Dover, DE 19901-3611; telephone 302-736-7400; weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; no later than May 12, 2008.

Any persons who have reason to believe they may be next-of-kin to these individuals or have evidence that they have relatives buried in this location should contact the Director, Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, 21 The Green, Dover, DE 19901-3611; telephone 302-736-7400; weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; no later than May 27, 2008.

Visit the Delaware Archaeology Museum for its "Animal Tracks" themed event with activities including making animal clay footprints, junior archaeological sifting, and a simulated animal crime scene (CSI) display. Explore the state's archaeological display on Avery's Rest featuring 17th century artifacts and archaeological faunal remains found throughout Delaware. Mariah Romaninsky, tours and outreach coordinator, for the Delaware Museum of Natural History will discuss wetlands, with a display featuring taxidermy animals and hands-on activities. Also, hear animal storytelling from 1-2 p.m. with Bruce "Little Drummer" Morris.

From archaeological digs to unique treasures, guests at the Johnson Victrola Museum will learn how vintage records are being transformed into wearable art when Patricia Burke Western, co-owner of Thread Bear in Bear, Delaware, demonstrates how she creates unique handbags from vinyl records, fabric scraps, and trims. Demonstrations and a display of Western's creations will be available from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Finally, visitors to the Museum of Small Town Life are invited to take a look back at a quarter-of-a-century of life in Dover with the photo display, "Governor's Avenue: A Look at the Past." The display is presented by the Delaware Department of Transportation in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Old Dover Days.

Museum Square, located at 316 S. Governors Ave., between North St. and Bank Lane, in Dover, Delaware, is open from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday and most state holidays; and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free. Donations are accepted and appreciated. For additional information, call the Delaware Visitor Center at (302) 739-4266.

Following the theme "Hungry for History: Food Through Time," the festival will feature demonstrations by the Historic Foodways Society of the Delaware Valley, herb identification by John Dickinson Plantation staff, and a pit cooking demonstration by the Time Chef. There will also be opportunities for visitors of all ages to work with professional archaeologists on excavations relating to earlier uses of the site and view the State's artifact collection. The day's program will also include Native American heritage activities by Bruce "Little Drummer" Morris.

Children's activities will include archery and clay pot making, along with other crafts. Greenbank Mill staff will be on site with Heritage Sheep. A special feature this year will be a demonstration bloomery giving visitors an opportunity to learn about historic iron mining activities on Iron Hill. For more information, please contact the Iron Hill Museum at (302) 368-5703.

Sponsored by the Delaware Academy of Science, Archaeological Society of Delaware, Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Patterson Schwartz Realtors, Acme Markets, and Blue Hen Promotions, Inc.

Stop by and explore the grist mill, view the turbine, peek into the mill race and find the Christina River on site! For more information, please contact the Delaware Nature Society at (302) 239-2334. The event is sponsored by the Delaware Nature Society. The Cooch-Dayett Mill property is owned and administered by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.

Located at 661 S. Dupont Highway (Route 13), southwest of New Castle, Buena Vista is one of Delaware's most historic homes. The main section of the house was built between 1845 and 1847 by John M. Clayton, United States Secretary of State from 1849-1850 under presidents Taylor and Fillmore, and United States Senator from 1829-1836, 1845-1849, and 1853 until his death in 1856. The home later became the residence of C. Douglass Buck, Governor of Delaware from 1929-1937 and United States Senator from 1942-1948. Buena Vista and its grounds were donated to the state by the Buck family in 1965 and now serve as a state conference center administered by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.

Decorated today as it would have appeared during Governor Buck's time in residence, Buena Vista presents an eclectic mixture of architectural styles and decor including an outstanding collection of 19th Century furnishings formerly owned by the Buck family. As an added seasonal bonus, visitors will have an opportunity to stroll through Buena Vista's beautiful grounds that are bursting with springtime color.

For additional information about the open house, contact Pam Swain, Buena Vista site supervisor at (302) 323-4430. Information and photographs of Buena Vista can be found by visiting the Buena Vista web page.