The cataloging team is at it again! As of this fall, the online catalog has over 20,000 records—and that means more wonderful and wacky Delaware stories than ever before.

 Most recently, we’ve been working on the Irénée du Pont Photograph Collection. It contains close to 1,000 images taken by Irénée du Pont, Sr. from the late 19^th century through the mid-20^th century. The collection was donated by Irénée du Pont, Jr. in 2003 and includes snapshots of various du Pont family members, family friends, travel photos, houses and buildings, recreation scenes, and a collection of photographs taken at Xanadu, the du Pont estate in Cuba.  The candid photos of family and friends are particularly interesting, giving us a rare glimpse into the leisure time of a prominent family.  And as always, the more you dig, the more you find…

 Boys will be boys. Friends of Irénée du Pont, Sr. pose with pipes and hats in dorm hallway at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. Ca. 1892.

19^th century paparazzi. Photo by Irénée du Pont, Sr. of actress Eleanor Mayo, her husband James Elverson, and their bodyguard on the beach in Cape May, NJ. Mayo did not like her picture taken in public, but Irénée managed to snap this photograph before the couple’s bodyguard could catch him. Ca. 1895.

Road trip mishaps. This photo was taken during a road trip to Boston in 1908 to attend a fraternity reunion at M.I.T. Along the way, the car, driven by R.R.M. Carpenter broke down, got stuck in the mud, and, by the looks of this photo, a member of the group was almost left behind!

Into the woods. Irénée, Bill de Kraft, and two other men on camping and sailing trip on the Elk River in Maryland. Apparently, suits and ties were required. May 1918.

At home with the family. Irene S. du Pont holds her infant son, Irénée. 1920.

Kinloch Gun Club. In 1912, a group of Wilmington businessmen established a hunting and social club along the Santee River in South Carolina. Here, W. Winder Laird, R.R.M. Carpenter, Irénée du Pont, Sr., Martin Reyfus, and a guide, meet at the train station. November 1923.

On vacation in Cuba. Photo of Philip and Lydia Laird at Club Nautico in Cuba. The Lairds often accompanied the du Ponts on vacation. 1926.

Worldly travelers. Irénée and Irene S. du Pont pose in front of building during trip to Italy in 1927.

 Remember, you can read about these photos and much, MUCH more at Ask Caesar on the DHS Library page: http://www.hsd.org/AskCaesar.htm. Or, stop by the library for a visit!

-Heather

Happy Delaware Day!

As you may already know, Delaware is known as the First State because it was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. What you may not know is that the ratification took place on this date, December 7^th, in 1787 by a unanimous vote.

Following the Revolutionary War the Articles of Confederation, officially ratified by the 13 founding states in 1781, established the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states. Unfortunately it quickly became apparent that the new government was much too weak and for the emerging nation. Political unrest, interstate conflict, a troubled currency, and uprisings like Shay’s Rebellion all pointed to the need for a stronger centralized government.

 The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia from May-September, 1787 with the aim of revising the Articles of Confederation. Many participants realized, however, that an entirely new government was needed to replace the one created by the Articles of Confederation. The result was the Constitution, which was signed by a majority of the delegates of the convention on September 17^th, 1787. Congress called for nine states to ratify the Constitution for it to go into effect.

James Latimer served as the president of Delaware’s ratifying convention. Other signers of the ratification included Gunning Bedford, Sr., Gunning Bedford, Jr., Thomas Duff, and Nicholas Ridgely. The vote was 30-0 in favor of the new Constitution, and the convention’s vote thwarted Pennsylvania’s hopes of being the first to ratify. The vote would send the Constitution on its (not altogether uncontested) way to national adoption.

You can experience history in person by viewing a copy of Delaware’s history-making ratification document, held in our library’s manuscript collections. Or, visit the library to learn more about the signers who helped Delaware become the First State.

~Joelen

Did you know that being a Delawarean is something that should have you raising your head up high! That’s right, we might be one of the smallest states in the country, but our little state has a lot of accomplishments to its name. Here are just a few things Delaware is known for:

We are the First State! Delaware was the first state to ratify the federal Constitution on December 7, 1787, becoming the first state in the Union. Being number 1 has lots of perks! Delaware is given the first position in such national events as presidential inaugurations.

We are tiny but tough! Delaware ranks 49th in the nation with a total land area of 1,955 square miles. Delaware is also one of the smallest states in terms of population. Only Alaska, North Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming have fewer people.

We are low down! Delaware’s average altitude is about 60 feet above sea level, making it the lowest average altitude of any state. Delaware also has one of the lowest high points: Ebright Azimuth at 442 feet is the highest point in Delaware. Located at the junction of Ramblewood Drive and Ebright Road in Wilmington, DE. Only Florida has a lower high point.

There isn’t much dividing us! Delaware has 3 counties, the fewest of any state having counties (only Alaska beats us with no counties at all!).

Bridging a wide gap! Delaware Memorial Bridge is the longest twin span suspension bridge in the world. The bridge, which was opened in 1951, connects Delaware and New Jersey.

We are so smart! According to a survey by the National Science Foundation, Delaware has more doctoral-level (Ph.D.) scientists and engineers, as a percentage of the population, than any other state. Delaware also has a higher rate of patent awards, per person, than any other state.

Our roots are really old! Old Swedes (Holy Trinity Church) which was built in 1698 is one of the oldest churches in America still in use. It is located at 606 church Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.

We flew it first! Tradition holds that the new 13-star flag, the Stars and Stripes, was first unfurled in the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge, September 3, 1777.

We started a movement! Barratt’s Chapel, erected in 1780, is known as the “Cradle of Methodism in America.” The Methodist established the New World chapter of their religion here in 1784.

We protect whats ours! In 1971, in an effort to protect beaches and wetlands, the state legislature of Delaware passed the nation’s first Coastal Zone Act, barring industries that pollute.

Oh, our collections! Delaware has one of the largest Shell Collections (Delaware Museum of Natural History) and Amber Collections (University of Delaware) in the world.

Yes, we have Nylon here! Seaford, Delaware is the site of the DuPont Company’s first nylon manufacturing plant. It was established in 1938. Seaford is now known as the Nylon Capital of the World.

Firsts that swept the country happened here! The introduction of the first Christmas Seal happened in Wilmington, Delaware in December 1907. The designer of the seals was Emily P. Bissell, a Delaware Author. Delaware also had the first beauty pageant in 1880. It was held in Rehoboth Beach. Thomas Edison was one of the judges in the contest, called the Miss United States contest.

We have chickens! Sussex County raises more broiler chickens than any other county in the United States. We also have more chickens living in Delaware than people!

We declared our independence first! Although commonly referred to as one of the original 13 colonies, Delaware didn’t become its own colony until early 1776. Before 1704, Delaware had belonged to Pennsylvania and was commonly referred to as the Lower Three Counties of Pennsylvania. In 1704, Delaware was granted its own legislature but was still under control of the PA governor. Delaware officially declared its freedom from Pennsylvania on June 15, 1776. Just in time to be one of the deciding votes on the Declaration of Independence!

I hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Delaware. These are only a few of what I found. I promise to bring you more fun facts about Delaware in the future.

~Kathryne~

Mary Parker 1843-1918

In Love and War: William and Mollie Parker

In honor of Veterans Day and the 150^th anniversary of the start of the Civil War this past April, I thought I would share a story of love and hope in the midst of the conflict that polarized the nation so many years ago.  William Parker and Mary (Mollie) Rebecca Boyer were living in Smyrna at the outbreak of the Civil War. The pair was deeply in love and did not want to be separated, but William decided to enlist in the First Regiment of the Delaware Volunteer Infantry as a musician. He promised to write to Mollie, serving in camps throughout Maryland and was eventually stationed at Camp Hamilton, a military encampment just outside of Fort Munroe, Virginia. Their love for one another never dwindled in William’s absence, which you can read for yourself in the collection of letters from William to Mollie held by DHS.

William wrote frequently to Mollie, answering her letters and asking her for news of friends and family at home in Smyrna. Like many other soldiers and civilians at the beginning of the Civil War, William hoped for a quick end to the conflict, writing to Mollie that “I have every reason to think that Our time will be short in the Service if things go on as they have been going for time weeks past, the war will Soon end. Then I will be the happiest man alive.” William did not have to wait as long as most soldiers to finish his service and to be reunited with friends and family. He was honorably discharged in August of 1862 when Congress disbanded all regimental bands. Shortly thereafter, William and Mollie married and started their family.

Below you can see photographs of William and Mollie. William asked Mollie to send him a photograph of her to have with him in Virginia. When he received it, he replied: “I received your Picture for which I am greatly obliged. It is a very nice one…You look so nice. I never tire of looking at it.” William and Mollie remind us of the great sacrifices that our veterans have made and continue to make, leaving behind loved ones and serving bravely in uncertain and difficult circumstances. In honor of veterans, visit DHS to learn more about the story of William and Mollie and to discover the stories of many other Delawareans who have served their country throughout the centuries.

–Natalie

William Parker 1836-1920

Wilmington's first African-American Troop #60 met in at St. Matthews Episcopal Church with Martha Evans as leader in 1944. Delaware Historical Society Collections.

Girl Scout cookies, Girl Scout camp, Girl Scout badges—all this and much more will be featured in A Circle of Friendship United by Ideals, an exhibition on the history of Girl Scouts in Delaware and the Delmarva Peninsula that will be on display in the Delaware History Museum from February through June 2012.  We will be joining the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council to celebrate the centennial of girl scouting in the U.S. and the council’s 50^th anniversary.  Filled with objects and photographs in the Council’s extensive collection, the exhibition is sure to be a trip down memory lane for every current and former scout! 

Inspired by her meeting with Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides in England, Juliette Gordon Low gathered a group of girls in Savannah, Georgia, on March 12, 1912, for the meeting that began a movement that has involved millions of girls all over the world.  Scouting spread to the Delmarva Peninsula with a troop founded in Cambridge, Maryland, in 1914.  The first Delaware troop started in Wilmington in 1915.

Girls prepare a meal around a fire circle during overnight tent camping at Grove Point in the 1980s. Courtesy of Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council.

The ideals of scouting—learning through action, exploring the outdoors, serving the community, and developing leadership skills–have remained constant but the program has changed with the times.  Badges, uniforms, and handbooks from different eras will be on display.  The dairy maid badge is obsolete—today’s scouts attend STEM programs at the Lynn W. Williams Science and Technology Lodge at Camp Country Center in Hockessin. A campfire scene will be a focal point of the exhibition, and maps will show the many sites that have been used for camping over the years. 

Scouting’s goal has always been to help girls grow into strong, capable women.  A Circle of Friendships United by Ideals will honor the scouts and leaders of the past, and inspire those who will take scouting into its second century.  Plan now to visit the exhibit and “make new friends but keep the old!” 

Joe Biden, then a U.S. Senator from Delaware, poses with local Girl Scouts in 2000. Courtesy of Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council.

Cooney’s Dancing Instructor, a rare pamphlet on display in our exhibition Steppin’ Out…Under the Stars until the end of the year, captures the world of social dancing in Wilmington not long before the fox trot changed everything in the early 1900s.

Martin H. Cooney, born in Delaware in 1861 to Irish immigrant parents, held industrial jobs in his early years. Dancing, however, was always his first love.  By 1894, when he is first listed in the Wilmington city directory as a dancing instructor, and when he probably published his book, he said that he had been teaching for fourteen years and dancing for many more.  If you do the math—and if you believe what he says—he started at a very young age!

Although the dances presented in the book appear old fashioned to us today, Cooney recognized that times were changing.  “Nearly all Quadrilles now in use have been danced with very slight change for more than fifty years.”  That would put their introduction in the 1840s.  “Many of them have a ridiculous appearance if the proper steps are not used. . . .I do not wish to be understood as ridiculing the people for casting off the old school of dancing.  This is a fast age, and the people will not…be compelled to study and practice for years a system of dancing, that in the end will not profit them much, if anything.”  Cooney’s purpose is to present a variety of simple dances that everyone can learn and enjoy.

Cooney proceeds to give instructions for round dances, quadrilles, and schottisches.  Without illustrations or demonstrations the dances seem very complicated to the modern reader with no interest in Dancing with the Stars.  Cooney also gives detailed instructions on ballroom etiquette.  One rule is that people should “Dance quietly, from the hips downward.  Do not jump, caper, or sway your body.” 

Just as interesting are the many ads for Wilmington businesses that fill about half of the pages of the book.  Many are for saloons, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that catered to steppin’ out.

Martin Cooney taught social dancing for many years, almost until his death in 1935.  By then dancing and social behavior had changed dramatically. We wish Cooney had updated his book so that we could see how he adapted to the changes in his profession.  If you have any memories of Martin Cooney and his dance classes, we would love to hear from you.

Ed Loper 1916-2011

The light in Delaware seems a little dimmer since Ed Loper left us on October 9. His artistic vision and life story inspired all of us. Yet Ed Loper wasn’t supposed to be a successful artist, if one accepted the norms and stereotypes of the world in which he grew up. In the 1930s, a poor black man from Wilmington’s East Side was supposed to find a job to feed his family, not pursue a dream of being an artist. But Ed Loper managed to do both. The Index of American Design, part of the federal Works Progress Administration in the 1930s, gave him his artistic start. He taught himself by haunting art museums. He worked at Allied Kid by day and painted at night. Ed Loper never gave up on his dream, and finally was able to devote himself entirely to painting and teaching.

Relaxing in Alapocas park

Ed Loper was on of Delaware’s great artists and citizens of our times. Although he is no longer with us, his life and work will inspire and instruct us for generations to come because he and his wife Janet Nevill-Loper donated his personal papers to the Delaware Historical Society.

~Connie

Ed Loper and Janet Neville-Loper

Hello faithful Delaware Historical Society’s blog readers! We just wanted to thank each and every one of you for reading our blog. Thanks to you we have had over 3,100 views (and more everyday!). We would love to know a little bit more about the people who read our blog. So I put together this very short survey for you to take! It won’t take more than 5-10 minutes and you only have to leave personal information if you want to (an email address). We would love to know more about the people who read our blog so that it can become the best blog for all you history lovers!

Please click on the link below to go to our survey on surveymonkey.com

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/V6L9RHS

Thank you for your help! We look forward to hearing from all of you! Our next blog post should be up very soon.

~Kathryne

Many people think of historical societies as venerable repositories for “Old Stuff” (and our collections do indeed often have a fascinating “emporium-of-the-weird-and-wonderful” type feel) but sometimes we’re also on the cutting edge of high fashion and glamour. Finding it somewhat hard to believe?  Margaret Powell, a recent research visitor to our costume and textile collection, might take a different view when it comes to one piece in our collection. Powell, a graduate student at the Smithsonian Associates Masters Program in the History of Decorative Arts at the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington DC, is currently studying the work of leading African-American fashion designer Ann Lowe (c. 1898-1981).

Born in Alabama, Ann Lowe mostly worked in New York and Florida, where her main business was designing glamorous wedding and debutante dresses for High Society clients, among whom she was well known and respected for the superior quality of her workmanship and materials.  She is most famous for designing the dress that Jacqueline Bouvier wore for her marriage to John F. Kennedy in 1953. Examples of her dresses can be found in the collections of museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian, and…the Delaware Historical Society.

We acquired our Ann Lowe dress in 2003 from Ann Bellah Copeland, the person who commissioned it and wore it for her wedding on June 6, 1964 to Gerret van Sweringen Copeland, the son of Lammot du Pont Copeland of Greenville, Delaware, the president of the Du Pont Company at the time.  The wedding was held at St. James’ Church in New York City and the reception took place at the Colony Club, the first social club in the city founded by women for women.  Like many of Ann Lowe’s clients, Ann Copeland heard about her through the grapevine from friends for whom she had designed dresses.  She was looking for a designer with a good established reputation, but also wanted to be able to have a lot of her own input into the final design, something that Ann Lowe was apparently very amenable to.  The final result was a full length gown of ivory silk faille with clean, simple lines, no fussy ornamentation, and a dramatic court train that swept down from the shoulders.

Ann Bellah wedding dress

Our dress is part of a group of five Ann Lowe dresses from the 1920s through the late 1960s that Margaret Powell is studying for her project to more fully document this designer’s work and place it in a wider context. Our dress is of particular importance to the study because it is an excellent example of Ann Lowe’s late work and has strong, documented provenance.  According to Powell, the simplicity of its design and lack of surface ornamentation is quite unusual for Ann Lowe, who made her reputation with heavily ornamented creations full of intricate, complicated needlework and surface details.  In fact, our dress forms quite a strong contrast with the earliest dress in her study, an intricate, multi-layered, creampuff-like organdy afternoon dress from the 1920s. 

Margaret Powell studing the wedding dress

Despite the differences in outward appearance, in other ways our dress is very typical of Ann Lowe’s work, chiefly in the cut and quality of the finishing work.  Everything about it, from the high quality of the silk faille, which has been carefully cut to fall just right, to the delicate, lacy trimming of the inside seams, which weren’t even meant to be seen, speaks of the perfectionism and attention to tiny details for which its creator was known.  Even the simple bow belt at the waist has been outfitted with extra press studs to make certain that it would sit perfectly in place.  These are just a few of the things we were able to learn about our dress during Margaret’s study session with it.  To learn more about Ann Lowe and Margaret Powell’s project, please visit http://www.delawarefirst.org/18974-lowe-dress-history. This was certainly an exciting opportunity for us and a prime example of how researchers and museums support and learn from each other. We wish Margaret the best of luck with the rest of her research and look forward to learning more about Ann Lowe in the future.

Jennifer

On Thursday, October 27th, 2011, Hari Jones, Curator for the African-American Civil War Memorial and Museum, will be presenting his talk For Light and Liberty: African Descent Spies in the War of the Rebellion.  

In this lecture, Mr. Jones identifies and tracks the activities of a secret African descent organization that sought to and fought to end slavery in league with the U. S. Constitution. Mr. Jones identifies a number of well-educated Africans captured as prisoners of war and brought to the Americas.  The pre-existing network established by these Africans and from which certain African knowledge circles, which produced a coded language, will be examined. The ideology or rather the liberation theology of these Africans and their descendants will be analyzed.  The personalities, the catalysts and champions who led the organization, will also be identified.  And finally the footprint of this secret African descent organization, which became the single most important source of military intelligence during the Civil War, will be tracked.  “For Light Liberty” will introduce you to what is indeed one of the best-kept secrets of the Civil War.

This is an exciting talk that will enthrall any one interested in the Civil War, African-American History, or just American History in general! The presentation begins with a meet-and-greet of Mr. Jones from 5:30-6:30 with light refreshments. The talk will then be from 6:30 to 8:00 with time for questions and answers at the end.  Cost of admission is $5.00 for members and $10.00 for non members. To reserve your spot or for more information, please call 302-655-7161 or email deinfo@dehistory.org.