Things to See and Do

From the Delaware State Fair to the Smyrna Opera House, Kent County’s got it going on.

 

 

 

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ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

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The Ballet Theatre of Dover

P.O. Box 493, Dover, 734-9717.

Children’s Theatre of Dover Dover

697-1271, tickets 678-3227, www.thechildrenstheatre.org. The theater presents shows in April, October, December and February.

Delaware Ballet

177 Old Camden Road, Camden, 697-2218, www.delawareballet.com. Performances include an annual production of “The Nutcracker” in December.

Dover Downs

1131 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, 674-4600, www.doverdowns.com. Dover Downs offers big-name talents in its 18,000-square-foot ballroom, and visitors can take part in a live taping of “Dover Downs is Cooking.”

Dover Symphony Orchestra

P.O. Box 163, Dover, 678-5152, www.doversymphony.org. The orchestra offers classical concerts in March and October, a pops concert in May and a children’s concert in November, all at the Schwartz Center for the Arts.

Ecarte Dance Theater

224 W. Loockerman St., Dover, 674-4689. Ecarte presents two concerts a year, in spring and winter.

Kent County Theatre Guild-

Patchwork Playhouse

140 E. Roosevelt Ave., Dover, 674-3568, www.kctg.org. Kent County Theatre Guild presents five shows each season from September to June, plus an annual cabaret-style fundraiser.

Schwartz Center for the Arts

118 S. Bradford St., Dover, 678-3583 or (800) 778-5078, www.schwartzcenter.com. The center hosts performances by local arts groups, as well as nationally recognized performers.

Smyrna Opera House In the Old Town Hall

Smyrna, 653-4236, www.smyrnaoperahouse.org. The newly restored opera house presents drama and music. Annual events include the Smyrna Opera House Follies in May, monthly wine dinners and a summer musical.

 

 

 

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

Air Mobility Command Museum

1301 Heritage Road, Dover Air Force Base, Dover, 677-5938, www.amcmuseum.org. Open Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on federal holidays.

Allee House

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, 2591 Whitehall Neck Road, Smyrna, 653-9345. The restored 1750s farmhouse is open spring and on weekends year round from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Barratt’s Chapel and Museum

U.S. 113, Frederica, 335-5544, www.Barrattschapel.org. Barratt’s Chapel is the oldest surviving Methodist church in the United States.

Delaware Agricultural Museum

N. Dupont Highway, Dover, 734-1618, www.agriculturalmuseum.org. The museum tells the story of Delaware’s agricultural past and present through permanent and changing exhibits.

Museum Square Dover

(at The Delaware State Museum Visitor Center), 406 Federal St. 739-4266, www.destatemuseums.org. Open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Includes three state museums:

  • The Delaware Archaeology Museum features exhibits illustrating archaeology, history and culture.

  • The Johnson Victrola Museum exhibits include a 1920s Victrola dealer’s store. Victor Talking Machine Co. recordings played regularly.

  • The Museum of Small Town Life Exhibits display the history and culture of Delaware in the early 1900s.

    The Delaware State Museum Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Delaware State Police Museum and

    Education Center

    1425 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, 739-7700, www.state.de.us/dsp/museum/Default.htm. The center tells the story of Delaware’s original highway patrol and its evolution into the Delaware State Police. Open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month.

    Dover Art League

    21 W. Loockerman St, Dover, 674-0402, www.doverart.org. Monthly juried and judged shows open to the public, plus annual events like the Artists Studio Tour and A Taste of Dover. Open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Harrington Museum

    110 Fleming St., Harrington, 398-3698. Exhibits at this 18-century Episcopal church include period funeral attire and a circa-1900 glass hearse carriage. Open Monday through Friday 1 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Harrington Railroad Museum

    108 Fleming St., Harrington, 398-3698. Visit a rare Delmarva watchman’s tower and walk through a 1926 caboose form the Pennsylvania Railroad.

    John Dickinson Plantation

    340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, 739-3277, www.destatemuseums.org. Annual events include Old Dover Days in May and the Holiday Dessert Table in December. Open March through December, Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Messick Agricultural Museum

    325 Walt Messick Road, Harrington, 398-3729, www.taylormessick.com. Antique farm machinery. Open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    State House Museum

    The Green, Dover, 739-4266, www.destatemuseums.org. The Georgian-style state house features a re-created 18th-century courtroom. Open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1:30-4:30pm.

    Sewell C. Biggs Museum of American Art

    406 Federal St., Dover, 674-2111, www.biggsmuseum.org. The museum houses work class pieces collected by its namesake.

    Smyrna Museum

    11 S. Main St., Smyrna, 653-1320. This building from the 18th century displays local artifacts and a restored plank house from the late 1600s. Open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    Woodburn

    151 Kings Highway, Dover, 739-5656, www.state.de.us/woodburn. Open for tours by appointment and during community events, including Old Dover Days in May, the Fall Festival in September and the Christmas Open House in December.

     

    ANNUAL EVENTS

    MARCH

    St. Patrick’s Day Parade

    March 17, Main Street Dover, 678-9112, www.cityofdover.com

    Delaware Horse Expo

    March 23-24, Delaware State Fairgrounds, 398-4630, 542-6065, www.chicksaddlery.com

    Annual Benefit Auction & Flea Market

    March 24, Delaware Agricultural Museum, 734-1618, www.agriculturalmuseum.org

    Hearts and Minds Film Festival

    March 23-25, Schwartz Center for the Arts, 678-5152, www.schwartzcenter.com

    APRIL

    Governor’s Annual Spring
    Celebration at Woodburn

    April 14, 739-5656, www.state.de.us/woodburn

    Kent County Master Gardener Annual Scholarship Plant Sale

    April 28, Delaware State University Research Greenhouse, Dover, 857-6426

    Spring Craft Show

    April 28-29, Delaware State Fairgrounds, (717) 656-3208, www.handcraft-unlimited.com

    MAY

    21st Annual
    Smyrna-Clayton

    Heritage Association

    Delawareana Auction May 7, Smyrna Opera House, Smyrna, 653-4236, www.smyrnaoperahouse.org

    Old Dover Days

    May 5, The Green, Dover, 734-4888, www.visitdover.com

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