Pencader Heritage Area Meeting Summary

Pencader Heritage Area Meeting Summary

September 29, 2000 

Newark Senior Center, Newark, Delaware

Meeting Goal: To outline ideas, actions and commitments for the 300^th Anniversary of Pencader Delaware in October 2001.

Meeting participants were asked to respond to a series of questions about the anniversary event.  The ideas, suggestions and commitments were recorded.

What is the goal of the 300^th Anniversary of Pencader?

"Bring attention to Pencader Hundred to show the wealth and richness of the area to support an ongoing program at the Iron Hill Museum and build a new museum".

What do you want to do for the 300^th Anniversary of Pencader?

• Major activity day in Glasgow
• Family event
• Throw a party--contact MD Bank for information on how to do this.
• Design and conduct tours of places within the Hundred
• Fireworks!
• Prepare an audio tour for visitors and residents to use while they enjoy the area
• Link the event to the new museum.  Showcase the anchors!
• Use to demonstrate prototype signs and gateways
• Tie to Smithsonian Institution guides for funding--existing efforts use these guidelines now.
• Work with Smithsonian to get their artifacts out of the attic and into local museums.  Ask UDE for help.
• Have old games from the site/ area (i.e. May Day)
• Hold events the entire month of October, as well as on the Anniversary Day and proceeding weekend.
• Feature ongoing and selected events
• Hold essay contests with memorabilia
• Include the music, food, costumes, dance of the area 
• Tie to school studies--hold pageants of what has happened
• Showcase the cafeteria murals
• Highlight the English, Irish, Finnish, Lenapi, Welsh cultures and languages
• Use moveable exhibits--take to the people!
• Reinforce this heritage throughout the year

Who will help?

• University of Delaware
• Local and State legislative representatives
• Schools & Students
• County traffic safety organizations
• Newspapers
• Commercial food interests
• Others in Newark with connections--Cheerleaders!

How will this be accomplished?

• Form a Steering Committee.  Get a commitment right away from five, or so, people.  Use this group as a nucleus
• Have the Steering Committee identify what we can do with existing resources.  Develop a plan with themes. Set a timetable and identify financing.
• Do a news article with Robin Brown and Jane from Delaware books.  Also, work with Mike Billington.
• Hold a press conference and issue a press release.  Tell people enough to excite them!

When will the work be done?

• Yesterday!
• Write-up these notes and send them to all the attendees.
• Form a Steering Committee right away and get commitments. Approach Bill Keene, Phil Towman, Bill Murray, and Bob Wrightfeld
• Meet again on October 13 at 8:30 a.m.
• November 15 is a key date.  Attend and participate in the Delaware Academy of Science Meeting.  Share information about the Anniversary!
• Do a general article following the election.

Jge 10/2/2000