9 organizations get winter grants from Delaware 250 to support projects

Delaware 250 has announced the recipients of its winter grant cycle, awarding $64,900 to nine organizations across the state.

These grants are part of Delaware 250’s ongoing effort to support museums, historic sites, and nonprofit organizations as they prepare for the United States Semiquincentennial in 2026, marking the 250th anniversary of both the Declaration of Independence and Delaware’s statehood.

Since its launch, Delaware 250 has distributed a total of $278,951 in grants to 34 organizations throughout the state.

The grant program, which runs quarterly, aims to assist groups in developing unique programs and projects that reflect Delaware’s rich history in the lead-up to the national milestone.

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“We’ve been delighted to see so many organizations across the state developing their own unique programming to mark the 250th,” said Margaret Hughes, Delaware 250 coordinator. “It’s an honor to be able to support these important initiatives.”

Dick Carter, chair of the Delaware Heritage Commission, emphasized the opportunity the Semiquincentennial presents to explore Delaware’s lesser-known history.

“Delaware’s story is a rich one, and many chapters haven’t yet been fully told,” he said. “With the Semiquincentennial, we have a unique opportunity to more comprehensively explore our State’s history.”

Winter 2025 grant recipients

1. Friends of School Hill Association (FOSHA) – $7,500 to enhance exhibits and create new ones at the New London Avenue School Museum.
2. Hagley Museum and Library – $6,650 to support the Voices of the Brandywine initiative, offering a people-centered interpretation of history through new outdoor panels, tours, and public programs highlighting diverse stories.
3. Lewes African American Heritage Commission – $5,000 to create a historical sign at Johnnie Walker Beach and restore important photographs documenting the beach’s history.
4. Nanticoke Heritage Byway – $10,000 to fund eight historical tours over the next two years along the Nanticoke Heritage Byway, focusing on diverse regional histories.
5. Native Roots Farm Foundation – $10,000 to combine art, ethnobotany, and language revitalization in two public-facing projects honoring Delaware’s Native/Indigenous peoples.
6. Overfalls Foundation – $5,350 to create an exhibit and oral history collection focused on the history of lightships on the Delaware Bay.
7. Preservation Delaware (Marian Coffin Gardens) – $6,250 for documenting oral histories connected to the Marian Coffin Gardens and Gibraltar estate.
8. Rehoboth Beach Museum – $6,650 to create an exhibit and an online walking tour about the African American community’s contributions to Rehoboth Beach.
9. University of Delaware Library, Museums & Press – $7,500 to research and digitize collections related to Black Delaware history, making them more accessible to the public.

“As we approach the 250^th anniversary of both Delaware and the Nation, people are thinking about how our history can shape our present,” said Director of the Delaware Public Archives and State Archivist Stephen Marz. “These awarded projects will help Delawareans and visitors to better understand Delaware’s history, and to engage with that history in new and interactive ways.”

Looking ahead

The next round of Delaware 250 grant applications will open in April, with a deadline of May 15.

The program encourages museums, historical sites, and other organizations to apply for funding to further enrich Delaware’s celebrations leading up to 2026.

For more information on the grant process and upcoming events, click here. [delaware250.org](http://delaware250.org).

Delaware 250 is the state’s official initiative to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.

A project of the Delaware Heritage Commission and Delaware Public Archives, Delaware 250 celebrates the many diverse histories of Delaware and the United States, providing a platform to reflect on and commemorate the past.

The Delaware Heritage Commission, created in 1972, works to preserve and promote Delaware’s history through various initiatives and grants.

The Delaware Public Archives plays a critical role in the research and preservation of Delaware’s historical documents and genealogical resources.