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.
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“You’re so earnest about morality that I hate to think how essentially immoral you must be underneath.”
George F. Babbitt has it all–a perfect house, a nice car, a doting wife, three kids, a thriving business, and the admiration of his community. But Babbitt is unhappy. His discontent leads him to question everything he has been taught to believe is important and to rebel, without fully realizing what his rebellion may cost him. Taking place during the roaring 20s, Sinclair Lewis’ satirical Babbitt (1922), explores consumerism, conformity, politics, and what it means to be middle class in such a way that his almost 100 year old novel is still extremely relevant today.
Babbitt is now in the public domain and can be downloaded for free from Project Gutenberg.
In a future society where reading books is illegal and firemen start fires instead of putting them out, fireman Guy Montag has a secret. After an evening when Montag’s duties do not go as planned, Montag must make a decision which will impact his life forever, and he must make it while he still has the ability to decide. Ray Bradbury’s banned classic Fahrenheit 451 (1953) is a book of warning, which discusses important topics that happen to be in focus currently–the quality of information, the ability to digest and analyze information, and the lengths people will go to defend what they believe to be right.
Apply For a Grant
The Grants Program is a statewide resource for supporting lectures, festivals, panel discussions, walking tours, and other humanities-based ventures throughout our state of Delaware. Through our Grants program, Delaware Humanities distributes funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities to notable projects created by museums, libraries, historical societies, and other nonprofits.
** Spring Vision Grant NEWS: Due to COVID 19, we are extending our Deadlines. Rough Drafts are DUE by 11:59 PM on Friday, May 1, 2020.
Final Drafts are DUE by 11:59 PM on Friday, June 12, 2020. **
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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 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
