First State National Historical Park

Winter deck tours on Kalmar Nyckel are offered on Saturdays in December through April 25, 2026 for an additional $5/adult and $3/ages 3-12 (under 3 are free). Inclement weather and heavy maintenance projects will close the ship when it’s unsafe to tour. The schedule may change without notice. Please call the office at 302.429.7447 on Friday or Saturday to confirm availability.

📅 Date: January 19th

⏰ Time: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM

🌧️ Rain Date: January 24th

🚗Location: Smith Bridge Parking Lot

Join First State National Historical Park for a meaningful Day of Service as we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through stewardship, community, and care for our shared public lands. From 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM, volunteers will work alongside National Park Service staff in the Brandywine Valley to help maintain and protect park spaces that welcome visitors from near and far.

Volunteers will assist with trimming overgrown vegetation and clearing debris around the Smith Bridge parking lot, contributing directly to visitor safety, accessibility, and the overall beauty of the park. This hands-on project is a great opportunity to make a visible impact in just a few hours while connecting with others who share a commitment to service.

No prior experience is necessary—training and personal protective equipment will be provided. Tasks may include light tool use, vegetation trimming, and debris removal under staff supervision. Volunteers should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain, lifting up to 25 pounds, and working outdoors in cool winter weather.

Whether you’re a longtime volunteer or joining us for the first time, this short-term service opportunity is a powerful way to honor Dr. King’s vision by giving back to your community and helping care for our national parks!

When Delaware declared its independence in 1776, it prompted a plethora of changes pertaining to its government and legal system. As the state grew and evolved, it reflected on crime and punishment in this new era. One crime that the new government reviewed was petit treason, which was treasonous acts committed against a person of authority other than the government.
Throughout its history, two Delaware women were tried for petit treason: Catherine Bevan in 1731 and Sarah Kirk in 1787. While their charges were the same, their punishments were not.

Join the New Castle Court House Museum and presenter Dana Niemeyer from the Delware Public Archives as they examine documents from the Delaware Public Archives’ collections to discuss these women and the changing legal system of a new Delaware.

March is Women’s History Month, and you can MARCH for what matters! Come get creative, get loud, and celebrate history in the most awesome way. What you believe in is important! Join the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation for some fun, hands-on activity:

• Create your own megaphone or marching sign.
• Then show off your masterpiece and let the world know what you stand for!

Crafts and activities are included with admission. Winter admission fees: $5/adult, $3/ages 3-12), and under 3 is free. 

Come see demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild at the John Dickinson Platation. The demonstrations will occur during guided tours exploring fiber arts pursuits and may include spinning, weaving, knitting, and other historic handcrafts.

The Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild will be doing demonstrations from 1:00 PM-3:00 PM in the Mansion Diding Room at the John Dickinson Platation.

Join the Delaware Historical Society, New Castle Public Library and the New Castle Court House Museum for a revolutionary inspired game adventuring across Delaware where you’re given a seemingly simple task: deliver goods to Chestertown, Maryland. But will you make it? Will the bugbears stop you? And who are you siding with in this impending war?

This is a table top role playing game (TTRPG) that uses character sheets that are made to be filled out quickly. The game will be played at the New Castle Court House Museum.

Advance tickets required. $10 a person, Free for Delaware Historical Society members.

Celebrate Delaware’s Swedish colonial heritage at New Sweden Day 2026, hosted by the New Sweden Alliance at historic Fort Christina.

The afternoon begins at 1:00 PM, with a formal ceremony at 1:30 PM. Guests will enjoy historical interpretation, educational displays, and a commemorative program featuring a cannon firing, costumed procession, guest speaker, national anthems, wreath laying, and possible proclamations from public officials.

This family-friendly event offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience Wilmington’s early history in a scenic riverfront setting and to visit the Copeland Maritime Center at no cost.

Join an audience centered experience at the Old State House with volunteer researcher Teresa Pierce as she attempts to reveal what Delaware felt like to residents during the late 1770s. What did Delawareans experience during the American Revolution? With the British raiding along the coast, American patrols stalking the Brandywine Valley, and riots and uprisings in their own backyards, the state felt the grip of a war coming too close to home.

Participants will hear several accounts from period manuscripts, and participate in facilitated conversations to discuss the real life experiences of Delawareans during the war.