People 1600-1700s

Delaware's first people were the Leni Lenape, or Delaware Indians, who lived along rivers and traded with other Native American's in the region.  See stone tools and artifacts used by Delaware's first citizens.   Touch and feel baskets and furs like those the Lenape would have used.

 

With the arrival of Europeans,  Swedes, Fins, Africans, and English mingled together to create a truly multi-cultural society.  Listen to Delaware's first immigrants tell their story of how they arrived in the First State.

 

 

Delaware became one of the first colonies to declare independence from England, now celebrated as Separation Day.  Caesar Rodney's ride for independence ensured the colonies would declare their independence.   Other Delaware patriots would make us the First State by ratifying the new Constitution first. See a leg from the Caesar Rodney Statue, and personal belongings of Delaware's signers.