Milford Museum program to focus on Rosedale Beach June 8

The Milford Museum will continue its American History Series at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 8, at Milford Public Library, 11 S.E. Front St., Milford. Guest speaker Tamara R. Burks will present a program about Rosedale Beach.

In the pre-integration era of the 20th century, there were very few places for people of color to go for entertainment and hotel accommodations. Because of this, Rosedale Beach near the Millsboro area was a destination point for many people of color along the East Coast. The resort featured a hotel, boardwalk, dance hall, picnic and beach area, campground and amusement park. Well-known artists such as Louis Armstrong, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Patti LaBelle and Stevie Wonder performed at the resort.

Burks earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Delaware State College (now Delaware State University), where she served as editor-in-chief of the Hornet Newspaper. She went on to receive her master’s degree in media studies from the New School for Social Research in New York City.

She became a historical researcher/archive keeper for the Federal New York African Burial Ground Project in New York City during the late 1990s. Upon returning to Delaware, Burks served as a historical interpreter/researcher for the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs for nine years. Currently, Burks works as a corporations specialist for the Delaware Division of Corporations under Delaware Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock.

Sponsored by the Milford Museum, these monthly programs focus on a variety of topics concerning local, state and national history.

For more information, contact the museum at 302-424-1080 or info@milforddemuseum.org. Programs are offered through a generous grant from the Delaware Heritage Commission.