Delaware Humanities is Delaware’s independent, non-profit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Founded in 1973, Delaware Humanities strengthens our communities by encouraging all Delawareans to be inspired, informed, and engaged through exploring the diversity of the human experience.
Featured Events
Join for a weekly reading of a chapter of Delaware Humanities “History’s Mysteries”. Follow Denisha, Titus, and Angelo as they travel through Delaware and through time, solving mysteries and learning about the First State along the way. Then ask the author, illustrators, and/or reader any questions you may have!
Miss a week? We will post the chapter text and video after each reading weekly. We will also do a quick recap at the start of each session.
All events take place Wednesdays at noon. Use the link to register for one event or all seven.
February 10: Prologue by David Teague, read by the author
February 17: Chapter 1 “WWII Watchtowers” by John Micklos, read by the author; also meet illustrator Ara Atkinson-Skinner
February 24: Chapter 2 “On the Nanticoke River” by Mary Pauer, read by Beth Wasden (Nanticoke Watershed Alliance Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator)
March 3: Chapter 3 “Annie Jump Cannon” by Kari Ann Ebert, read by author; also meet illustrator Sidney Rae Moore
March 10: Chapter 4 “Private Horace Dickens” by Heather Janas, read by author; also meet illustrator Samantha Gibbs
March 17: Chapter 5 “The Amstel House” by Mark Lowther, read by Karen Janus (New Castle Historical Society Public Programs Manager); also meet illustrator Ara Atkinson-Skinner
March 24: Chapter 6 “The Secret of the Helmet” by Billie Travalini, read by the author; also meet illustrator Sidney Rae Moore; “Conclusion” by David Teague, read by author
Dr. Brian Klaas is an Associate Professor in Global Politics at University College London and a columnist for The Washington Post. Klaas is also a frequent television commentator and political consultant. He is also the host of the Power Corrupts podcast. In his lecture, he will discuss topics such as executive power, individual rights, the electoral process, and civic mobilization within the context of the pandemic.
Dr. Klaas is an expert on democracy, authoritarianism, US foreign policy, American politics more generally, political violence, and elections. He is the author of three books: “The Despot’s Apprentice: Donald Drumpf’s Attack on Democracy”, “The Despot’s Accomplice: How the West is Aiding & Abetting the Decline of Democracy,” and “How to Rig an Election” co-authored with Professor Nic Cheeseman. His next book “Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us” will be released in Fall 2021.
Dr. Klaas has extensive experience working in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and United States politics. He has conducted field research, interviewing prime ministers, presidents, ministers, rebels, coup plotters, dissidents, and torture victims in an array of countries, including Madagascar, Thailand, Tunisia, Belarus, Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia, and Latvia.
His writing and research has also recently been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, Foreign Affairs, the Times Literary Supplement, Financial Times, Newsweek, The Telegraph, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Foreign Policy, and many other publications.
GRANT NEWS
Winter 2020/2021 brings a new Vision for Grants
- We are implementing our Strategic Plan (more to follow), so we’re embarking on a Listening Tour to learn about how we can best serve Delawareans through the grants we award and the programming we do
- During this time, our Spring Vision Grants – normally solicited in early April, will be paused.
- We will continue to process and award Opportunity Grants throughout 2021 to qualified Delaware nonprofit organizations.
- For further details, see the Grants Page.
Newsworthy
Black Lives Matter in Delaware
June 10, 2020The killing of George Floyd has brought attention once again to systemic racial inequalities in America, and a lot has already been said. Rather than reiterate what so many in the Black community have been saying for generations, Delaware Humanities would instead like to place a spotlight on those voices in our state.
There is never a better time to listen to those most affected by the ongoing atrocity of racism and injustice. The humanities help us to understand what it means to be human. With such a wide array of human experiences across cultures and communities, the only way to truly understand is to engage in the learning process both actively and reflectively….
Delaware Humanities COVID-19 Message
March 16, 2020Delaware Humanities believes that public health and safety are top priorities.
With the growing prevalence of COVID-19, or Coronavirus, in Delaware, we are monitoring on a daily basis both federal and state guidance on how to minimize exposure to and spread of the virus. The health and peace of mind of our staff, board, partners, grantees, and program participants will guide our decision-making in the coming weeks.
We will post updates on our website. We will also keep our calendar up to date. We recommend that you periodically visit us here at our website and on our calendar of events for the latest information on the status of program and grant-supported events.
Fall Cycle FY21 Vision Grants Awarded!
January 30, 2020Congratulations to all of our newly minted grantees – we awarded 7 Vision Grants, with funds totaling $68,750.00!
* Bowers Beach Maritime Museum: Bowers Beach Buccaneer Bash
* Delaware Historical Society: Women, Politics, and Activism Public Program Series
* Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League: Delaware Main Street Marshall Plan Speaker Series
* One Village Alliance: Girls Can Do Anything 2020!
* Choir School of Delaware: Brush Up Your Shakespeare
* The Colored Conventions Project/University of Delaware: Mary Ann Shadd Cary: Civil and Voting Rights Pioneer from Wilmington to Canada West
* The Delaware Contemporary: A Contemporary Centennial: Representation Today
