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Nanticoke Tribe breaks ground on community center expansion

Years in the making, space will help serve mission for many years to come
After years of work, the Nanticoke Indian Association broke ground Aug. 25 on the expansion of its cultural community center. Shown are (l-r) council member Melissa Jackson, Assistant Chief Farrah Stigall, council member Lida Seymour, association historian Bonnie Hall, Chief Avery Johnson and council member Patrick Streett. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Chris Flood
August 28, 2025

Story Location:
Nanticoke Indian Center
27073 John J. Williams Highway
Millsboro, DE 19966
United States

The Nanticoke Indian Association held a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of its community center Aug. 25, a project that’s been years in the making.

Chief Avery Johnson said this is a huge moment for the Nanticoke Indians, as it’s been a five-year journey with a lot of challenges.

This project goes beyond the physical construction, said Johnson. It will be a life-enhancing addition that will connect ancestors, elders and future generations, he said.

Located off Route 24 east of Millsboro, the new community center will be built onto the existing building, which served as a school from 1921 to 1962. A Delaware Public Archives historic marker recognizing the school was installed in front of the building in 2021.

A few dozen people attended the event, which included a ceremonial blessing of the property and a friendship dance.

Ragghi Rain and Herman Jackson performed the blessing. Mistress of Ceremony Bonnie Hall said it was the second blessing Rain and Jackson had done on the property that day. Every blade of grass and every rock has been blessed, she said.

The project has a budget of $2.9 million, with funding coming from a number of different sources – federal and state appropriations, the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, the Longwood Foundation, the Welfare Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.

Work includes constructing a new commercial kitchen, restrooms and a food bank; renovating the office; providing flex space for children’s programs and a community computer workspace. Construction on the community center is expected to take about one year.

In addition to the community center, the association has secured $950,000 for a museum project, which is also located on Route 24 about a mile east of the community center. Johnson said that project is expected to begin in the next six to nine months.

Nanticoke Indian Association members and others in attendance participate in a friendship dance in the parking lot of the community center.
Nanticoke Indian Association members Ragghi Rain and Herman Jackson bless the grounds where the addition will be added.
With Nanticoke Indian Association historian Bonnie Hall looking on, Chief Avery Johnson thanks everyone in attendance for their hard work and perseverance.
Assistant Chief Farrah Norwood said the addition will play a part in remembering past generations while also paving the way for future generations.
Wearing a hat with Native Pride on the side, Glendon Hall helps park vehicles.
Chief Avery Johnson is all smiles before the event.
Millsboro Mayor Robert McKee acknowledges how important the Nanticoke Indian heritage is to the story of the greater Millsboro area.
Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, and Rep. Jeffrey Hilovsky, R-Long Neck, each talked about the past and future of the Nanticoke Indian Association.
Nanticoke Indian Association members Ragghi Rain and Herman Jackson bless the grounds where the ceremonial groundbreaking took place.
The team behind the scene who helped get to the point of construction. Shown are (l-r) attorney David Hutt, Assistant Chief Farrah Stigall, Chief Avery Johnson, Sun Building Group owner James Grant, architect Bob Clendaniel, Merestone Engineering’s Roger Gross, Whayland Company owner Steve Hentschel and Whayland estimator Dwain Moyer.
Federal, state and local officials helped make the project a reality. Shown are (l-r) Rep. Jeffrey Hilovsky, R-Long Neck; Assistant Chief Farrah Stigall; Chief Avery Johnson; Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown; Sussex County Council President Doug Hudson; Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes; Welfare Foundation President and CEO Chris Grundner; Indian River School District Superintendent Jay Owens; Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View; Millsboro Mayor Robert McKee; Congresswoman Sarah McBride’s constituent advocate Zander Tippett; and U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester’s Kent and Sussex County Director Betsey Stang.
A conceptual image of the community center. SUBMITTED IMAGE

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Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.

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