The State House
302-739-4266
Take the online tour
Meet
Samuel Burris

Delaware's historic capitol, restored to its 1792 appearance, highlights information about Delaware's political and social development during the early years of the Republic. Guests learn how state and county governments impacted the lives of men, women, children, slave, and free Blacks more than 200 years ago. Call the Visitor Center for reservations and to obtain information about the following interactive special focus group tours.

The Tours

The Details and More:
Meet the Standards
Tour Details


 
The Tours:
GOVERNING A CIIANGING SOCIETY (grades 4-5, adults; 30 min.)
Interprets the political, economic, and social atmosphere affecting Kent
County's African American population during the 1700s.
BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE (grades 4-12, adults; 30 min.)
Highlights information about prominent individuals and explains the significance of the State House.
A CRIME NEXT TO THAT OF MURDER (grades 4-12, adults; 1 hr.)
Highlights the contributions and state trial of Samuel D. Burris, a Negro conductor on the
Underground Railroad.
GHOST MARKS OF THE PAST (grades 4-12; 1hr.)
Showcases information about the history and restoration of the State House through a discovery process.
ARE ALL MEN CREATED EQUAL? (grades 5-12, adults; 30 min.)
Utilizes national historical documents as a way to discover the equality or inequality of our State's laws and practices as seen through the three branches of government.
THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN KENT COUNTY
(grades 5-12, adults; 30 mins. or 1hr.) 
History programs summarizing abolitionist activities.
CASE OF THE MISSING  MERCANTILE MONEY (grades 5-12; 1hr.)
Role-play program utilizing official court records pertaining to the theft of money and the trial of an accused individual in the early 1800s.

Examples of Content Standards
Social Studies

Civics:
-Students will examine the structure and purposes of governments with specific emphasis on constitutional democracy. (Government)
-Students will understand the principles and ideas underlying the American political system. (Politics)
-Students will understand the responsibilities, rights, and privileges of United States Citizens. (Citizenship)

Economics:
-Students will examine the pattern and results of international trade. (International Trade)

Geography:
-Students will develop a knowledge of the ways humans modify and respond to the natural environment. (Environment)

History:
-Students will employ chronological concepts in analyzing historical phenomena. (Chronology)
-Students will gather, examine, and analyze historical data. (Analysis)
-Students will develop historical knowledge of major events and phenomena in world, United States, and Delaware history. (Content)

Visual & Performing Arts:
-Students will invent, select. evaluate, and use subjects, themes, symbols, problems, and ideas to create works of art.
-Students will reflect upon, describe, analyze, interpret and evaluate work of art and design.
 


Tour Details:
  • Reservations are required 2 weeks in advance.
  • Communicate special needs when making reservations.
  • Special focus tours are available upon request.
  • Outdoor picnic lunch space is available, however there are no inside lunch facilities.
  • Many programs or demonstrations are offered on a weather permitting basis. The site supervisor may substitute a different activity at anytime.
  • In conjunction with group tours, packages containing items relating to a thematic tour may be ordered in advance.  Selected merchandise, appropriate to age and suitable for continued education at home or in the classroom, may be ordered 2 weeks in advance of a scheduled visit.  Contact the Site Supervisor where you have booked a tour for information and cost.


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