January 20

Delmarva Roots Film: An Evolving Legacy More>>

February 17

Delmarva Roots Film: Crash More>>

March 16

Delmarva Roots Film: Watermen More>>

Milton Historical Society Announces New Executive Director
The Board of Trustees of the Milton Historical Society is proud to announce and welcome Jennifer Legates as its new Executive Director.

Ms. Legates is a native of Milford, Delaware and brings over eighteen years of experience in museum management and as an interpreter of living history. Most recently, Ms. Legates served as Deputy Director at Historic St. Mary’s City in St. Mary’s City, Maryland. Prior to that she worked as Director of Education and Director of Curriculum and Educational Initiatives at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, a Smithsonian affiliated museum, in Kennesaw, Georgia for six years. Ms. Legates also worked for the Delaware State Museums in Dover for six years.

Ms. Legates holds a Masters of Liberal Studies degree with a Museum emphasis from the University of Oklahoma, in Norman, Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. She is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Non-Profit Management from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. We are pleased to have Jennifer on board and look forward to enhancing the Lydia B. Cannon Museum as the historical heart of Milton while we plan for expansion and an exciting future.

Online exhibit of Button Cutting in Milton

Have you ever considered what it takes to make mother-of-pearl buttons? Today, most buttons found on clothing purchased in retail stores are the product of high tech factories. Not too long ago, however, buttons were crafted through a multi-step, labor intensive process that was truly global. Milton, Delaware was once a hub of the button cutting industry. We have created an online exhibit highlighting the history of this enterprise. To view the exhibit, click here or visit the museum to learn more.

This project was funded with generous grants from the Delaware Humanities Forum and the Longwood Foundation.

Current and Coming Exhibits

Stay tuned for information on upcoming summer exhibits and programs.

Historical Society Completes $150,000 Challenge Drive

The Milton Historical Society is pleased to announce that we have collected $150,000 in pledges to match Tom Draper’s $150,000 challenge. This totals over $300,000 for our Endowment Fund. An endowment is a way to ensure an institution’s long-term success. A small percentage of the income made by the fund will be used for annual operating expenses but the principal will remain untouched.

What’s next? Beginning in January, our Board of Trustees will form a strategic planning team. This team will help us create a long-term plan to tackle such challenges as: expanded exhibition and storage space for our growing collection, funding conservation of the existing building and collections, and expansion of our school and adult programs.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED TO HELP US BUILD & GROW OUR ENDOWMENT!

Donations to the endowment fund are still greatefully accepted and can be sent to the: Milton Historical Society, P. O. Box 112, Milton, DE 19968. For more information contact us at 302-684-1010 or info@historicmilton.org

To support the endowment, complete and return the pledge-card.

Grants awarded 2007–2011

Longwood Foundation ($7700-2011) for development of exhibit on button making
Delaware Humanities Forum ($7000-2011) for digitization/development of exhibit on button making

Carl M. Freeman Foundation ($5000 FACES grant-2010) for development of an experience based walking tour for Sussex County children in grades 3-8
Delaware Humanities Forum ($4400-2008/2009) for development of audio walking tour
Sussex County Council ($16,000-2008) Community Development Funds
Recipient of Connecting to Collections Bookshelf from the Institute of Museum and Library Services
Heritage Preservation Conservation Assessment Program recipient ($6540-2008) to conduct a conservation assessment of the collections and the building.
Town of Milton ($5000-2008) toward Speaker series, special exhibitions, and education programs/ ($1000-2009) toward exhibition programming
Grant in Aid ($1500-2007) toward 200th anniversary events and special exhibitions/ ($1400-2008) toward exhibition and cultural tourism expenses
Sussex County Council ($1000-2007)/($1000-2008)/ ($1000-2009) Human Services Grant for support of teen and school programs
Delaware Museum Association ($360-2007) for the purchase of a network upgrade for PastPerfect software/ ($234-2009) for the purchase of an additional data logger and a light meter/ ($500-2010) to hire a cataloguer for the summer in partnership with the Lewes Historical Society and Rehoboth Beach Historical Society

New Milton History Arrives in time for 200th anniversary

It Began With A River: an illustrated history of Milton and Broadkill Hundred, by Joana S. Donovan, has arrived. Only 1,000 will be sold. Cost is $35/copy with proceeds to benefit the Milton Historical Society. Get your copy today! Complete the order form or phone in your credit card order to 302-684-1010.

Museum Shop News

Visit the Museum Shop to find that perfectly unique something for the person who has everything! You’ll find local, one-of-a-kind items to please everybody on your list. The gift shop takes checks, credit and debit cards as well as cash.