Please check back often as we will be updating out calendar with numerous exciting events for 2013!

You can also sign up for our monthly e-newsletter. Just email us at nchistorical@aol.com to let us know you would like us to keep you posted on what's happening in Historic New Castle. 

In the meantime, mark your calendar to attend these great events:

January

 

No events currently scheduled in January.

 
February

 

No events currently scheduled in February.
March

Wednesday, March 13, 7 p.m.
NCHS Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the New Castle Historical Society will be held at the New Castle Court House Museum.  Following a brief business meeting, we will enjoy a program by Dr. Patrick McGovern, a biomolecular archaeologist from the University of Pennsylvania, called Uncorking The Past: The Quest for Wine, Beer & Extreme Fermented Beverages. The annual meeting and lecture are free and open to the public. 302.322.2794.

 
April

Wednesday, April 3, 10:00 a.m.
House Museums Open. The Amstel House & Dutch House museums open to public for tours. Tickets for tours may be purchased at the Amstel House Museum, 2 East 4th Street, Old New Castle. 

 
May

Friday, May 3, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. & Sat., May 4, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
May Market. The Arasapha Garden Club's Annual May Market is the perfect place to find plants, herbs, and flowers for your garden.  Indoor tables and displays feature White Elephant, used books and vendors, while outside tent sales include unusual plants, shrubs, herbs, baked goods, original prints and more! There will be free garden crafts for children, and Master Gardeners on hand to offer advice.  Behind the Old Town Hall on East 2nd Street. Proceeds support the Arasapha Garden Club's work in the historic gardens of the Amstel House & Dutch House.  For more information visit www.arasapha.org.  

Saturday. May 18 through December 29, 2013
Exhibit: Taverns, Taprooms and Tippling Houses. A new exhibit at the Old Library Museum explores the history of drinking establishments - both legal and illegal - in New Castle since the 17th century. At the Old Library Museum, Weekends (excluding holidays), 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free.

The Old Library may be opening late on Sunday, May 26. Please call The Old Library before you arrive to make sure the museum is open. The phone number is 302-328-2923. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you!

Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A Day in Old New Castle. America's oldest house and garden tour returns this year. The Amstel House, Dutch House and Old Library Museums will be open free to ticket holders from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For event and ticket information, please contact Immanuel Church on the Green at 302-328-2413, or visit the A Day in Old New Castle website.

June

Thursday, June 13, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Annual Garden Party.  Join friends and neighbors at our annual early summer bash in the Dutch House gardens.  Light refreshments are included with admission to the party!  1651 Benefactors receive two complimentary tickets to the party. $30 members; $35 non-members. Please call the Society office at 302-322-2794 to RSVP today!

July

 

No events currently scheduled in July.

 

August

Paranormal Investigations with Delmarva Historic Haunts! Saturday, August 24 at 8:30 and 11:30 p.m. Join the team of Delmarva Historic Haunts for a night investigating three of Old New Castle's most historic and "active" buildings - The Amstel House, The Dutch House and The Old Library! You'll have a chance to see for yourself what happens in these buildings after dark, and maybe meet some of the "previous residents." All tickets are $25 and can be purchased from the Society at 302-322-2794. 

 

September

Paranormal Investigations with Delmarva Historic Haunts! Saturday, September 21 at 8:30 and 11:30 p.m. Join the team of Delmarva Historic Haunts for a night investigating three of Old New Castle's most historic and "active" buildings - The Amstel House, The Dutch House and The Old Library! You'll have a chance to see for yourself what happens in these buildings after dark, and maybe meet some of the "previous residents." All tickets are $25 and can be purchased from the Society at 302-322-2794. 

October

Hauntings in History Walking Tours.  Fridays & Saturdays, October 18, 19, 25 & 26 at 7:00, 7:30 & 8:30 p.m. If you are brave enough to explore the darker side of New Castle's history, then join the New Castle Historical Society this October for the only ghost tour that brings you inside one of the most haunted mansions of Old New Castle!  You'll begin your journey into New Castle's supernatural side with a tour of the legendary Amstel House - one of New Castle's most haunted houses - where you may meet the "Woman in Blue."  After exploring the Amstel House, you will be guided through New Castle's darkened streets and alleyways where you will hear macabre tales of hauntings, Victorian death & funeral customs, and crime & punishment that span the 360-year history of this Delaware River town.  Ticket information will be available soon!

Paranormal 101 with Delmarva Historic Haunts. Friday, November 1 at 7:00 and 9:30. Join the seasoned investigators from Delaware's most experienced paranormal investigative team at the Amstel House to learn the methods they use when looking for paranormal activity at a house or site that reports strange occurrences! You'll learn about the devices and techniques used during an investigation, and tour Old New Castle's most haunted mansion - the Amstel House! Then you can join us the next night, Saturday, for a public investigation in Old New Castle! Tickets for Paranormal 101 are $10 per person. 

Paranormal Investigations with Delmarva Historic Haunts! Saturday, November 2 at 5:30, 8:30 and 11:30 p.m. Join the team of Delmarva Historic Haunts for a night investigating three of Old New Castle's most historic and "active" buildings - The Amstel House, The Dutch House and The Old Library! You'll have a chance to see for yourself what happens in these buildings after dark, and maybe meet some of the "previous residents." This is the last paranormal investigation for 2013 so don't miss it! All tickets are $25 and can be purchased from the Society at 302-322-2794. 

November

Friday, November 29 through Sunday, December 29
Holidays at the Amstel and Dutch Houses. The Amstel House will be decorated for a traditional holiday celebration in colonial times, showing off a “dessert board” of the period, and featuring traditional 18th century customs during the period of Governor Nicholas Van Dyke’s residency. At the Dutch House, experience a celebration of St. Nichols’ Eve, a tribute to the legend of Saint Nicholas, Dutch patron saint. Included with regular admission to the museums.

December

Through December 29
 Holidays at the Amstel and Dutch Houses. The Amstel House will be decorated for a traditional holiday celebration in colonial times, showing off a “dessert board” of the period, and featuring traditional 18th century customs during the period of Governor Nicholas Van Dyke’s residency. At the Dutch House, experience a celebration of St. Nichols’ Eve, a tribute to the legend of Saint Nicholas, Dutch patron saint. 

Saturday, December 14, 9:30 a.m.. to 5:30 p.m.
The Spirit of Christmas. This town-wide celebration, sponsored by the New Castle Presbyterian Church,  presents private homes and churches decorated for the season, and musical events throughout the day.  Admission will be free for the day at the Amstel House, which will be decorated for a traditional colonial holiday celebration, and the Dutch House, which will feature a celebration of St. Nicholas' Eve.  The Amstel & Dutch Houses open at 11:00 a.m. 

 

Programs for the day are available at the NC Presbyterian Church, 25 E. 2nd Street. For more information, call the church at 302-328-3279 or visit their website, www.newcastlepreschurch.org.