On Saturday, March 2, First Saturdays in the First State, presented by First State Heritage Park in Dover, offers visitors the opportunity to relive history through three historical theater events, along with a chance to see two new exhibits.
The Delaware Humanities Forum will use The Old State House as the courthouse setting to present a dramatic retelling of the historic 1848 trial of Quaker abolitionist Thomas Garrett. Admission is free, but seating is limited for the performances at 2 and 7 p.m. Advance reservations can be made by emailing info@dhf.org.
At 1 p.m. at the Johnson Victrola Museum, an historical interpreter portraying the character of Eldridge Reeves Johnson will reminisce about the influential women in his life. At the John Bell House, 18th-century Dover resident Ann Ridgely frets about her impetuous niece’s desire to marry a “rake." Performances for this show are set for 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs debuts a new display at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries featuring the sculpture of the late Charles Parks. At the Biggs Museum, The Projectionist exhibit features a working 1920s-style movie theater that was created in the basement of Middletown native Gordon Brinckle. A documentary provides insight into the life of this self-taught artist.
Other First Saturday activities include tours, the monthly Biggs Kids program, walking tours of The Green, tours of the Governor’s House at Woodburn and a Genealogical Summit at the Delaware Public Archives. Also at Delaware Public Archives, the African American Houses of Worship exhibit will show through mid-March.
The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs present two exhibits: USS Delaware: An American Battleship and Dealing in Symbols: Profundity in the Human Figure.
Admission to all park sites and programs is free. Centrally located free parking is available at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. North (formerly Duke of York Street). Information about First State Heritage Park programs is available at 302-739-9194 or destateparks.com/heritagepark.
