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Delaware State Parks holds 1940s dinner dance

The Homefront Holidays dance party staff in 1940s fashions included (l-r) Emily Mathews, interpreter with Delaware Seashore State Park; Breanna Pierce, administrative assistant and tour coordinator for First State Heritage Park; Rachel Sheffield, lead interpreter for First State Heritage Park; and Nicole Worthley, superintendent of First State Heritage Park. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
December 22, 2022

The First State Heritage Park and Fort Miles held a 1940s Dinner & Dance Party Dec. 17. 

This special fundraiser took place in the historic venue of Battery 519, which was constructed to defend Delaware's coasts during World War II. Party goers enjoyed a catered Holiday Christmas dinner, a cash bar, tunes by the WW Tunes band, a Battery 519 museum tour and topped off the evening with swing dance lessons. All event proceeds go to support year-round programming at First State Heritage Park and the Fort Miles Museum. 

For more information, go to destateparks.com/History/FirstStateHeritage.

 

Music from the 1940s was provided by the World War Tunes group. Shown are (l-r) Lee Knier, Frank Nanna, and Carole and Lenny Wolek.
Rachel Sheffield, lead historic interpreter at First State Heritage Park, speaks of the itinerary for the crowd gathered at the event.
Delaware State Parks interpreter Mark Wilson was a tour guide for the event.
Madison Coleman accompanied by the World War Tunes band entertains during the event.
Instructors Sara Brandt and Mike McDermott teach the partygoers how to swing dance.
Wearing the uniforms of the Navy and Army are Navy veteran John Warren, left, and Delaware State Parks employee Ryan Schwartz.
Sydney Coleman, left, joins her sister Madison in a duet.
Jessica Hurst, left, and Melissa Johnson enjoy the evening dressed in 1940s fashion.
Recognized during the Armed Forces Medley are Army veterans Freddy Jalot Jr., left, and Bruce St. Clair.
Historical interpreter Mike Podgorski stands with a deep-sea mine.
Delaware State Parks interpreter Mark Wilson demonstrates how to track enemy ships in the plotting room.
Looking at the display of items from Col. Riley Edward McGarraugh are (l-r) Sam Malinky and Jade and Kate Gillespie.
Tyler Dreiblatt, interpreter programs manager, explains how the 12-inch gun was used.
John and Kim Coleman take in their swing dance lesson.
Instructors Sara Brandt and Mike McDermott teach the group swing dancing.
Sydney Coleman and her brother Isaac watch the steps of the dance instructors.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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