Best Places to Visit in Delaware for Black History

Delaware, though small, is rich in African American history and offers several significant sites and institutions that celebrate and preserve this heritage. Here are some of the best black history places to visit in Delaware:

1. Delaware History Museum and Mitchell Center for African American Heritage (Wilmington):
   • This museum includes the Mitchell Center for African American Heritage, which focuses on the African American experience in Delaware. The exhibits cover a range of topics from slavery to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond.
   • Website: https://dehistory.org/visit/jane-and-littleton-mitchell-center-for-african-american-heritage/
2. Old Swedes Historic Site (Wilmington):
   • This site includes the burial ground where many African Americans are laid to rest. It provides insights into the early history of African Americans in the area, including the story of Black soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War.
   • Website: https://oldswedes.org/
3. Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park (Wilmington):
   • Named after Harriet Tubman and Thomas Garrett, this park commemorates their efforts in the Underground Railroad. The park is a tribute to those who risked their lives for freedom and offers beautiful views and historical markers.
   • Website: https://www.nps.gov/places/tubman-garrett-riverfront-park.htm
4. Johnson Victrola Museum (Dover):
   • This museum honors the legacy of Eldridge Reeves Johnson, founder of the Victor Talking Machine Company, and features exhibits on early African American recording artists who were produced by the company.
   • Website: https://history.delaware.gov/johnson-victrola-museum/
5. Richard Allen School (Georgetown):
   • Named after the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, this historic school served as a primary education institution for African American children during segregation and now functions as a community center and museum.
   • Website: https://archives.delaware.gov/delaware-historical-markers/richard-allen-school/
6. Iron Hill Museum & Science Center (Newark):
   • Iron Hill has a rich history tied to the African American community, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum provides information on the Iron Hill School, one of the many schools built for African American children by philanthropist Pierre S. du Pont.
   • Website: https://www.ironhillsciencecenter.org/
7. Biggs Museum of American Art (Dover):
   • This museum includes collections that highlight the contributions of African American artists and often hosts exhibitions that focus on African American culture and history.
   • Website: https://www.thebiggsmuseum.org/about-the-biggs/
8. St. Jones Neck (near Dover):
   • This site includes the John Dickinson Plantation, where visitors can learn about the lives of the enslaved people who lived and worked there, including an African Burial Ground that honors those who were enslaved on the plantation.
   • Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Jones_Neck

Visiting these sites provides a comprehensive view of the African American experience in Delaware, from the colonial period through the Civil Rights Movement and into contemporary times.