Governor Meyer Proclaims Oct. 10 “One Land Many Voices Day” for John Dickinson Plantation’s Visitor Center & Exhibit

DOVER, Del. — The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ (HCA) new John Dickinson Plantation Visitor Center will debut its highly anticipated permanent exhibit, “One Land Many Voices,” on Saturday, Oct. 10. HCA will unveil the exhibit at the newly opened Visitor Center at 250 Kitts Hummock Road with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony that day at 10 a.m. To mark the grand opening of the exhibit Governor Matt Meyer has officially proclaimed the date as One Land Many Voices Day across Delaware, honoring the complex history and diverse communities tied to the historic 450-acre property.

One Land Many Voices uses multi-sensory elements — historic images and documents, artifacts, narrative text, and visual media. — to present the complex history of all the people and communities who influenced and inhabited the area of the Plantation. The exhibit honors and memorializes indigenous peoples, the Dickinson family, tenant farmers, indentured servants, and the free and enslaved Black men, women, and children who lived and labored on the land. Known as the Penman of the Revolution, John Dickinson was an enslaver throughout much of his adult life until 1786, when he unconditionally freed all 59 enslaved individuals on the property.

“Delaware’s colonial history is a complex one. By honoring all who once lived here, we give voice to those whose work and sacrifice contributed to the legacy of this historic site,” said Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez.

“Delaware’s history belongs to all of us, and telling it honestly means telling the stories of everyone who shaped it,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “One Land Many Voices reflects a simple truth: the only way we can learn from our past is by refusing to hide from it, including the chapters that are difficult to confront.”

“This expanded Visitor Center represents an important step forward in how we share Delaware’s history, allowing us to provide deeper context and a more meaningful experience for every visitor,” said HCA Director Suzanne Savery. “After months of planning and investment to develop the expanded 14,000-square-foot building that holds exhibition, education and meeting spaces, we are pleased to present the complete story of the area’s inhabitants and of Delaware’s own founding father.’”

Part of HCA’s commitment to inclusive and comprehensive storytelling, the Visitor Center offers an interpretive exhibit that explores the lives of all who lived and labored on the John Dickinson Plantation. The new building and exhibit support the agency’s broader mission to preserve and interpret Delaware’s cultural heritage with guided tours, historic structures and educational programs. The Visitor Center will serve as a hub for school groups, researchers, and heritage tourists seeking to understand the complexities of the site and its people.

As Kent County’s newest cultural landmark and premier tourist destination, the state-of-the-art facility serves as a modern educational gateway to expanded museum programs with dramatically increased visitor capacity. The opening represents the culmination of a $14.5 million capital investment project. Featuring expanded programming areas, the Visitor Center will provide additional meeting space for school programs and other educational events. The facility also features a new 1,400-square-foot screened-in pavilion designed to host school groups, youth and adult programs, community meetings, and more.

Beyond the new Visitor Center, guests can tour the original 1700s historic mansion and the reproduction buildings. The new space will ensure that the site’s enduring historical significance is preserved for generations to come.

Admission, programs, events, and exhibits will remain entirely free at the site. A fee for private use of the multipurpose room and pavilion for community meetings will apply to cover ongoing maintenance costs.

Members of the public are encouraged to follow the John Dickinson Plantation website or Facebook page to learn more about the Visitor Center and its flagship exhibit.

The John Dickinson Plantation is an American Alliance of Museums-accredited institution. It operates as a partner site of the First State National Historical Park and holds memberships in the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom, and the Bayshore Byway.

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About the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs:
The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs enhances Delaware’s quality of life by preserving the state’s historical heritage, fostering community creativity, and supporting access to cultural resources.

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