Please check back often as we will be updating our calendar with numerous exciting events for 2008. 
 
You can also sign up for our monthly e-newsletter.  Just email us at nchistorical@aol.com to let us know you would us to keep you posted on what's happening in Historic New Castle. 
 
In the meantime, put these great opportunities on your calendar:
 
January
Thursday, January 31, 7 p.m.
Delaware's Exceptional Early Buildings, a lecture by Dr. Bernie Herman of the University of Delaware, at New Castle Presbyterian Church. Sponsored by Preservation Delaware. 
February
Saturday, February 2, 6:30 p.m.
Black Tie & White Lace. Join us for the social event of the winter season - our annual fundraising dinner, dance, and silent auction at The Arsenal at Old New Castle!  Cocktails and silent auction begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 8 p.m. and dancing into the night.  Music by The Cats.  $80 per person NCHS members / $85 per person non-members.  Checks or credit card (MC, Visa, AmEx) accepted.  Call 302-322-2794 for reservations. 
March
Friday, March 28, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
TGIF New Castle, our seasonal Friday night celebration!  Enjoy an early spring evening in the historic district of New Castle as shops, museums, and restaurants stay open late.  Free or reduced admission to most museums, dining specials at restaurants, great shopping opportunities at local boutiques.  Both the Amstel and Dutch Houses will be open for tours. A special combination ticket that includes admission to both NCHS properties plus the George Read II house is available for $6 at any of the three historic house museums.   Good fun, good friends, and good times guaranteed! 
April
Tuesday, April 1, 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 the meeting, C.J. Seitz will provide an overview of the current Supreme Court Case New Jersey v. Delaware, and Brian Cannon will discuss the history of Delaware circular northern boundary.  The annual meeting and lecture are free and open to the public. 

Wednesday, April 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Amstel and Dutch Houses open for the season, through December 28. 

This year, the Amstel House will showcase the Society's Van Dyke/Johns Collection in an exhibit called Getting to Know Them.  Objects directly related to these two important families will be on display throughout the Amstel House. 

Saturday, April 12
The Society at the Symphony!  Spend an evening enjoying the Delaware Symphony Orchestra at The Grand Opera House with your friends at the New Castle Historical Society!  The DSO performs Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6, "Pathetique." and Elliot Carter's Partita.  

The evening begins with a pre-concert reception at the Wilmington Club from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The concert begins at 8 p.m.  Immediately following the concert our group will have a chance to "Meet The Maestro."  

Tickets are $75.00 each.  Limited to the first 50 respondents so reserve your space today by calling the office at 302-322-2794. 
May

Friday, May 2-3, Time TBD
Arasapha Garden Club's May Market.  Get your spring plants, flowers, and herbs at the annual sale on Market Square behind Old Town Hall.  For more information visit www.arasapha.com. 

Saturday, May 17 through September 30, Weekends, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Painting the Town. Our new exhibit at the Old Library Museum explores the art of New Castle!  New Castle has provided inspiration for artists for centuries.  Come experience New Castle's charm captured on canvas and paper.  Featuring rarely seen works from the collection of the New Castle Historical Society!  

Saturday, May 17 (Annually held on the third Saturday in May), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A Day in Old New Castle is the oldest house and garden tour in America, dating from 1924. In addition to tours of private homes and gardens, this year's event will also feature guided walking tours of Historic New Castle.  The Amstel and Dutch Houses are open only to A Day in Old New Castle ticket holders on May 17, 2008.  Spinning demonstrations will be offered throughout the day in the Amstel House kitchen.  For more information, visit  www.dayinoldnewcastle.org 

(Please note that the New Castle Historical Society is NOT participating the the "Free to the First State" program on May 17, 2008.)

June

Thursday, June 12, 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Dutch House Garden Party.  Join friends and neighbors at our annual early summer bash in the beautiful Dutch House garden! Light refreshments and an open bar are included with admission to the party!  Tickets for the Garden Party are $20 for members and $25 for non-members.  1651 Benefactors receive two complimentary tickets to the party.  Please call the Society office at 302-322-2794 to RSVP today!

Saturday, June 14
Separation Day.  New Castle celebrates Delaware's own independence day with parades, reenactments, rides, games, food, and other festivities during the day.  Enjoy an evening concert in Battery Park followed by one of the best fireworks displays around.  And the best part?  Everything is free! For more information, call the New Castle Courthouse Museum at 302-322-9802. 

Second Annual Bus Trip.  The Society is in the process of planning our next bus trip...this year we are heading to Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. We're planning to visit the historic Carlyle House, Gadsby's Tavern, and the Lee-Fendell House. Lunch will be at Gadsby's Tavern Restaurant. We are still finalizing the date and pricing for the trip so watch for details in your next Tidings newsletter or check back soon for updated information!

July

Friday, July 11, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
TGIF New Castle, our seasonal Friday night celebration!  Enjoy an mid-summer evening in the historic district of New Castle as shops, museums, and restaurants stay open late.  Free or reduced admission to most museums, dining specials at restaurants, great shopping opportunities at local boutiques.  Good fun, good friends, and good times guaranteed! 

August
Saturday, August 9, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Garden Festivus.  The Garden Festival for the rest of us!  The New Castle Historical Society joins the George Read II House, and the rest of New Castle, in celebrating the wonders of the summer garden!  There's something for everyone!  Adults will enjoy garden workshops in the Amstel House garden and children can try capturing the New Castle landscape with watercolors on the Green across from the Old Library Museum.  Additional games, and events will be scheduled throughout the town.  For more information, visit the George Read II House website.  
September

Wednesday, September 10 through November 9.
Hunting for the Woman in Blue.  Our annual fall exhibit at the Amstel House explores recurring stories of a haunting in the Amstel House and offers possible explanations for the "woman in blue."  The exhibit includes mourning clothing, jewelry, and accessories from the 18th through 20th centuries. Included with regular paid admission to the Amstel House. 

Friday, September 26, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
TGIF New Castle, our seasonal Friday night celebration!  Enjoy an early autumn evening in the historic district of New Castle as shops, museums, and restaurants stay open late.  Free or reduced admission to most museums, dining specials at restaurants, great shopping opportunities at local boutiques.  Good fun, good friends, and good times guaranteed! 

October

October 18, 24, 25, 31 and November 1.  
 Hauntings in History Ghost Tours. New Castle's favorite autumn tours are back this year!! Your spooky experience begins with an evening tour inside of one of New Castle's most haunted houses - the Amstel House! Then you'll be off to explore New Castle's streets, alleys - even an 18th century burying ground - as you hear macabre tales of the supernatural, and discover bygone customs and superstitions surrounding death and burial practices.  If your (un)lucky, maybe you'll have your own spiritual encounter!  

Although we added more tours this year, we recommend reserving your space early since these popular tours will sell out! Tours will begin each night at 6:30, 7:00, and 8:00. $10 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under. All tours begin in the rear garden of the Amstel House.  Allow a minimum of 60 minutes for the tour.  NOTE: Tours are held rain or shine. Please dress appropriately. Sorry, no photography is permitted inside the Amstel House, but you can take all the photos you want outside on the tour! 

November

Wednesday, November 26 - December 28
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, November 29 - December 28, Weekends, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
A Victorian Christmas at The Old Library Museum.  Antique toys and beautifully decorated trees will grace the fanciful interior of this charming Victorian building by Frank Furness.  Step in out of the cold for a trip back in time.  Enjoy the magical experience of a classic 19th century Christmas!  Free admission. 

December

Through December 28
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 13
The Spirit of Christmas. This special town-wide event invites residents and visitors to share in such seasonal pleasures as visiting historic buildings and churches in New Castle bedecked in holiday decorations, listening to musical entertainment, and shopping at the boutiques and shops of quaint Delaware Street. The town will come alive with music and festivities. Enjoy the ambiance of an old-fashioned Christmas. The Amstel House, Dutch House, and Old Library Museum are all open free of charge on December 13.  Please visit www.newcastlepreschurch.org for more information.