Delaware’s First State Heritage Park Commemorates Women’s History Month
OutdoorHub 02.15.12
On Saturday, March 3, the First State Heritage Park’s monthly First Saturdays in the First State programming gives special attention to women’s history. This focus on women is highlighted at 1 p.m. in The Old State House with an historical theater event –“The War of the Roses – Delaware and the Battle for Women’s Suffrage” – designed to recreate the spirit of the public rallies held in the 1920s during the battle for women’s suffrage. The nineteenth amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote had just been approved by Congress and ratified by a number of states. Would Delaware join in ratifying? The debate over women’s rights descended upon Delaware with a vengeance. In the spring of 1920, Dover was the site of its own historic “war of the roses,” so called because no one – men, women, legislators, or average citizens – could avoid taking sides on this important issue, proclaiming their pro or con opinion with a simple flower worn on their lapel. This theatrical event transports the audience back to 1920 to hear the energetic arguments and speeches that might have been made by pro-suffragists and anti-suffragists alike. Prior to the performance, the John Bell House on The Green will serve as Suffrage Headquarters, where visitors can help the historical characters prepare for the rally.
Women are the subject of other First Saturday activities as well, including a lecture on Amelia Earhart at the Delaware Public Archives; tours at the Johnson Victrola Museum and the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center & Galleries; and the Women of The Green walking tour.
Regular First Saturday activities include tours of the two capitol buildings in Delaware’s capital city – The Old State House and Legislative Hall. Tours of the Governor’s residence at Woodburn and Hall House will also be available. Exhibits are also on display at the Johnson Victrola Museum, the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and the Biggs Museum of American Art, which also features its monthly “Biggs Kids” program. Until further notice, the Mabel Lloyd Ridgely Research Room at the Delaware Public Archives will not be open to researchers on the first Saturday of the month. Instead, the facility will be open to researchers on the second Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Admission to all park sites is free. Centrally located free parking is available at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, located at 121 Duke of York Street. For more information about The First State Heritage Park programs, the public may call 302-739-9194 or visit www.destateparks.com/heritagepark
