Sussex County native and Director of the Delaware Public Archives Russell McCabe will speak on the subject of early Delaware history at a Feb. 22 event hosted by the Bethany Beach Cultural and Historical Affairs Committee.
McCabe said the event will not only serve to inform those in attendance about the distant days of the area’s past but also to link it up with the future — namely the upcoming events honoring the 375th anniversary of the settlement of nearby Lewes — the first town in the first state.
“I’m going to focus specifically on the early history of the area and particularly discuss the boundary dispute during the colonial period and the Dutch settlement in Lewes — and the events that are taking place this year to commemorate the 375th anniversary,” McCabe said in the week leading up to the event at Bethany Beach Town Hall.
McCabe said the settlement of the Dutch in Lewes started the boundary dispute that is the focus of much of the area’s colonial history and eventually led to a later boundary dispute between the Culverts and the Penns. “It became an English dispute,” he said. “And the Bethany Beach area was part of the whole controversy.”
So, McCabe’s discussion will begin with the early history of European settlement on the Delmarva Peninsula and then link that to the Bethany Beach area to provide a more local focus.
He’ll tie it all together with the upcoming events for the 375th anniversary in Lewes — “With the series of events this year that recognize 375th anniversary of what became Delaware, it’s the perfect time to talk about it — and top that off by opening things up to questions about all things historical.
McCabe said he expects the discussion to not only appeal to local history buffs with their roots in the early history of the area but also to newcomers who may know little about their new home’s past.
“My experience is that we have so many newer residents who aren’t that familiar with the area’s early history and don’t understand how it fits in the bigger picture of American colonial history. It’s always fun to make people aware of that,” he said.
In addition, McCabe said he was also going to be prepared to discuss his work at the Delaware Public Archives.
“I will answer any questions people might have about Delaware history in general and about researching the history of Delaware people, places and things,” McCabe emphasized.
That may open up additional appeal for those with Delaware roots, particularly if they might find a need to consult the public archives for genealogical purposes or just plain curiosity.
McCabe said he has worked at the archives since graduating from college. He is a historian by training, he noted. “I’m one of those rare individuals who got lucky enough to find a profession that was line with my interest,” he said. “I’ve been interested in history since I was a kid.”
He’ll share that interest with those attending “An Evening with the State Archivist” on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. in the Bethany Beach town hall. Light refreshments will be served.