The FMHA “Museum Happenings” is published monthly to keep you up-to-date on Happenings at the Fort Miles Museum. This blog focuses on our fall events that take place in OCTOBER and NOVEMBER. This blog will be updated monthly (or more frequently, as needed). NOTE: Updates often appear as highlighted boxes or banners on the Home Page.
On September 13th, Dr. Gary Wray spoke at the Lewes Chautauqua. Read Dr. Wray’s talk, “Railroads and Fort Miles”.
SPECIAL EVENTS HIGHLIGHT THE FALL SEASON
- October 27th: Annual Fall Open House
- November 11th: Veterans Day Open House – Postponed
- November 11th: Art Show/Sale and Gift Shop Sale – Postponed
- November 24th: Film/Lecture Series Resumes – Postponed
- November 24th: Art Show/Sale and Gift Shop Sale – Postponed
October 27th: Open House and Wall of Honor Ceremony
The annual FMHA Fall Open House will take place on Saturday, October 27th from 10 AM – 3 PM. Battery 519 at the Fort Miles Museum will be open for self-guided tours. FMHA docents will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about Museum exhibits and the operations at Fort Miles during World War II. Standard admission charges apply ($5 for adults and children over 7, with a $15 family rate available). Veterans are free.
In addition to seeing the many World War II related exhibits, visitors will also have an opportunity to stop at “The Art of Fort Miles” gallery featuring the art works of Howard Schroeder, painted while he was stationed at Fort Miles during WWII. The second Museum gallery, our “Visiting Artists Gallery,” will also be open. This gallery currently features sketches completed in conjunction with last April’s “Delaware Goes to War” event, as well as original military aircraft and other oil paintings by Paul Rendel. The sketches and prints of many of the paintings are available for purchase. Please also plan to visit the Museum’s Gift Shop, which will be open during the Open House hours, closing at 3 PM.
At 3 PM, the families and friends who purchased pavers to honor a military veteran will gather inside Battery 519 to have their pavers unveiled to join the numerous pavers that comprise the Museum’s Wall of Honor. The stories associated with each of these veterans are always compelling.
Single Day Art and Gift Shop Sale: In conjunction with the Open House, prints of paintings by artists Howard Schroeder, Paul Rendel, and Joanne Guilfoil will be available for purchase at discounted prices. Here is a sampling of the prints available:
The Fort Miles Museum Gift Shop will also conduct a one-day sale offering storewide discounts of 20% on all merchandise. The prints, sketches and oil paintings included in the sale, as well as Fort Miles Museum Gift Shop offerings, are all unique to the Museum.
November 11th: Veterans Day Open House
This event has been postponed due to construction on the events venue.
A Fort Miles Museum Battery 519 Open House will also take place on Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11th from 10 am – 3 pm. Veterans will receive free admission to the Museum, with FMHA docents again on hand to discuss Battery 519 exhibits and Fort Miles history. The Battery 519 art galleries will also be open, as well as the Museum gift shop.
November 24th: “The Attack on Pearl Harbor” – Film/Lecture Series Resumes
This event has been postponed due to construction on the events venue.
The FMHA sponsored film and lecture series featuring a wide range of World War II related topics resumes on Saturday, November 24th. The December 7, 1941 surprise Japanese attack on the US Navy base at Pearl Harbor will be presented by Dr. Gary Wray. Join Dr. Wray for his talk and film about what President Roosevelt called “a date that will live in infamy” and led to formal United States entry into World War II.
This event starts at 11:15 AM in the Battery 519 Media Room. Occupancy regulations limit seating to the first 60 arrivals, so please plan accordingly. Museum doors will open at 10 AM. Those wishing to attend the film/lecture may pick up free tickets at the Museum Gift Shop just inside the main entrance. While waiting for the event to get underway, visitors can do some holiday shopping at the Museum’s Gift Shop featuring an array of one-of-a-kind gifts. The Battery 519 Visiting Artists Gallery will also be open. As noted above, sketches, prints and two original paintings by Paul Rendel will be available for purchase.
November 11th & 24th: Art Show/Sale and Gift Shop Sale
This event has been postponed due to construction on the events venue.
A Single Day Art Show/Sale and Gift Shop Sale will also take place on November 11th and November 24th – just in time for holiday gift purchases!
BATTERY 519 TOURS, LANTERN TOURS AND TRUCKIN’ THROUGH HISTORY RIDES – DELAWARE STATE PARKS
Discover Battery 519 are scheduled as follows:
- October: All Fridays at 1 PM; Saturday, October 6th at 11 AM and 2 PM
- November: All Fridays at 1 PM; Saturday, November 10th and Saturday, November 17th at 11 AM and 2 PM
Battery 519 Lantern Tours are scheduled as follows:
- October: Saturday, October 6th at 6:30 PM
- November: Saturday, November 17th at 5:30 PM
These tours form at the Fort Miles Museum Orientation Building and are limited to 30 visitors. Call to register (302-644-5007). $5 per person, including adults.
Truckin’ Through History – Tour Cape Henlopen State Park on an historic troop transport.
- October: Saturday, October 13th and Saturday, October 20th at 2 PM
- November: Saturday, November 3rd at 2 PM
Truckin’ Through History ride tickets ($8 per person) can be purchased at the Museum Orientation Building on Saturday mornings (starting at 10 AM) on a first come, first served basis. Maximum of 4 tickets per group and a 12 person limit per ride. These rides leave from the Parks’ campground office.
