Dickinson Plantation educational partnership is Sept. 18 topic

The Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice will host a town hall meeting to spotlight its new collaboration, Addressing the Silence: A Partnership with John Dickinson Plantation, from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Lewes Public Library.

Steeped in Delaware's colonial history, the John Dickinson Plantation has recently embarked on an initiative to address the underrepresentation of marginalized voices in its narrative. For years, the history of the plantation has primarily focused on the life of its namesake, a prominent figure in the American Revolution, while the experiences of enslaved people who lived and worked on the property have been largely overlooked. The plantation aims to address this omission by providing a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of its past.

The John Dickinson Plantation is now working with the alliance and other community organizations to create a more inclusive and accurate historical experience for visitors. The project brings together historians, educators and community members committed to ensuring that the plantation's history is told from multiple people’s perspectives. They are working collectively to develop new exhibits, programs and educational materials that highlight the experiences of enslaved people and other marginalized groups.

Specific initiatives include an oral history project, educational programs and interpretive exhibits. Collecting stories of descendants of enslaved people who lived on the plantation will provide valuable insights into the lives of those who were forced into slavery. New educational programs, designed for both students and adults, will explore the complexities of slavery and its lasting impact on American society. New interpretive exhibits will use a variety of media, including photographs, artifacts and interactive displays, to bring history to life.

To register, go to sdarj.org or click on the eventbrite link.

For more information, find John Dickinson Plantation on Facebook and search Plantation Stories Project at history.delaware.gov.