Last updated: February 11, 2022
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Plaques, Plaques Everywhere!
Have you ever been walking on a sidewalk in your town or city, or on a car ride with family, and noticed tall signs close to the edge of the road with information about a state’s history, maybe whizzing by too fast to see what exactly it says? Those are called historical markers, and every state’s historical markers look a little different from one another, but they are similar in appearance and are easy to spot. For the this activity, we are going to visit the Delaware Public Archives and analyze the text on some historical markers to see what Delaware history is remembered, memorialized, or honored. But first, what do you think is the purpose of a historical marker?
Commemorates people (one or many), an event, a former use of the place, or some other significant thing. We usually think of places when we hear about historical markers, but these plaques can also help us remember people and events. When a marker describes a person, that person has a great significance to the area.
Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware
Lewes, Sussex Country, Delaware
St. Jones Neck, Kent County, Delaware
Now it is Your Turn!
Create your own historical marker for a special place, person, or tradition that you want to preserve and share with others. Where is it located? What makes this place, person, or tradition significant?
Share your historical marker with us on social media using #FindYourPark / #EncuentraTuParque and tag us @FirstStateNHP for a chance for it to be featured below.