6 Delaware organizations get grants to celebrate Nation’s 250th Anniversary

The next round of grant applications are due by mid-August.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, six cultural and historical organizations across Delaware have been awarded a total of $34,445 in state grants to support programming tied to the Semiquincentennial in 2026.

“We’re officially less than a year out from the 250th anniversary of both Delaware and the nation,” said Margaret Hughes, director of Delaware 250. “It’s very exciting to see and be able to support the fantastic programming being planned by organizations all across the state.”

The funding, announced Wednesday by Delaware 250, is part of a quarterly grant program aimed at helping local museums, historic sites, and nonprofits develop educational and commemorative projects for the milestone year.

Delaware 250 also coincides with the First State’s own 250th anniversary of statehood.

With this latest round, the program has now distributed more than $313,000 to 40 organizations statewide.

“As these grant recipients demonstrate, there are so many ways to thoughtfully and innovatively honor the 250th in Delaware,” said Dick Carter, chair of the Delaware Heritage Commission. “It’s wonderful to see the statewide enthusiasm building as we launch the year leading up to this historic anniversary.”

The spring 2025 grant recipients are:

Coastal Concerts ($5,400), for a Jazz Era musical performance in Lewes that connects local and national history.
Delaware Museum of Nature and Science ($3,470), for an exhibit called “Revolutionary Stories and Evolutionary Specimens” highlighting Delaware state symbols and their ties to local historical figures.
Duck Creek Historical Society ($6,375), to install interpretive signage documenting Smyrna’s history.
Old Swedes Church / Holy Trinity ($7,500), for restoration of 12 Revolutionary War graves and a self-guided tour.
Rehoboth Art League ($4,500), for a juried exhibit, “Art as Revolution,” exploring the power of art in social change, and a historical showcase of the Art League’s legacy.
Rockwood Park and Museum ($7,200), to support “We, the People,” an art exhibit pairing contemporary works with historical portraiture.

Stephen Marz, Delaware’s State Archivist and Director of the Public Archives, said the grants are an opportunity for both residents and visitors to engage more deeply with the state’s heritage.

Applications for the next round of Delaware 250 grants will open in July, with a submission deadline of August 15.