STRATEGIC PLAN for NEW CASTLE COMMUNITY HISTORY and ARCHAEOLOGY PROGRAM

1 May 2009

DRAFT for STAKEHOLDER REVIEW

This Strategic Plan is being developed by University of Delaware undergraduate students enrolled in Anthropology 342: Issues in American Culture – Archaeological Perspectives, taught by Professor Lu Ann De Cunzo.
TABLE of CONTENTS

The Strategic Plan Process: Anth. 342 Project

Vision Statement Julie Reich

Mission Statement Julie Reich

Introduction to the NCCHAP Team – who we are, and what we do

- Core Values of NCCHAP Julie Reich

Where We’ve Been: History Kalie Lasiter
- The Organization’s Formation

- Past Projects

Where We Are: S.W.O.T. Analysis All Class members

Audiences Jessica FitzPatrick

Stakeholders Jessica FitzPatrick

Where We’re Going

- Overview of Strategic Plan

- Planning Process Laken Masterson

- Chart

- Goals and Objectives Ashley Hlebinsky

- Short Term Initiatives (1-3 years)

Project 1: Website Jessica Farley, Julio Fuentes

Project 2: Engaging the Community and its Leadership Rachael Romond, Briggette Schuler, Rhonda Thomas

Project 3: Promoting New Castle and NCCHAP Taylor Oshan

Project 4: Engaging the Local Schools Emily Phillips, Beth Blankenship

Project 5: Community Archaeology and Education Plan Michelle Flores

Project 6: Cultural Heritage Tourism Plan Andrew Marchetta

Project 7: Interactive Archaeology Exhibits Jake Rutherford

Project 8: Archaeological GIS Zach Kobosko

Project 9: Preserving and Protecting New Castle’s Archaeological Heritage Nabeela Aleem

Project Purposes
Project Description
Project Requirements: Funding and Resources

- Means and Strategies to achieve goals

- Inter-Organization Collaboration ????

- Assessment ????

- Strategic Management Lu Ann De Cunzo

UNIVERSITY of DELAWARE

ANTHROPOLOGY 342

ISSUES in AMERICAN CULTURE: ARCHAEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

Spring 2009

STUDENT PROJECT-

Strategic Plan for a Sustainable Public Archaeology Program in New Castle, Delaware’s Colonial Capital

Lu Ann De Cunzo, Ph.D., RPA

Professor of Anthropology

The Project

Our class will share responsibility with other stakeholders for crafting the strategic plan.

The following outlines the phases of the planning process set within the confines of our semester. We will flesh out this framework through a process of in-class discussion, research, and consultation with our partner stakeholders.

Phase I: Creating Shared Base of Understandings Due: 24 February 2009

The first questions for us to answer are:

What is a strategic plan? Explaining the process, issues, products
Who are stakeholders and what are their roles in the planning process?
What is public archaeology?
What is sustainability? In this context, we must consider sustainability to have economic, academic, environmental, social, and political dimensions
What is New Castle?
What are the principal historical agencies and organizations active in New Castle?

Phase II: History of Archaeology in New Castle Due: 10 March 2009

Next, we pose questions more specific to our agenda in New Castle. Answering these will provide the planning team and stakeholder representatives with the historical background upon which we will plan for the coming years.

What archaeology has been done in New Castle?
How have the process and results been presented, and to what audiences?
Where are the collections and records from these projects? Under whose care? In what condition are they? Are they accessible for research, teaching, exhibition, etc.?
What has NCCHAP done to advance a public archaeology initiative in New Castle? What has and has not been successful?
Who are the stakeholders in a public archaeology program in New Castle?
What resources are available to support the program?
What comparable programs have other archaeologists and communities instituted that offer us inspirations, ideas, and lessons?

Phase III: S.W.O.T. Analysis and Mission for the Future Due: 9 April 2009

In this phase, our goals are to:

Complete identification and overview of stakeholders
Analyze the present situation of NCCHAP by conducting a S.W.O.T analysis: internal and external
Evaluate NCCHAP Mission statement
Assemble and review sample Strategic Plans
Selection of NCCHAP Strategic Plan format

Phase IV: A Draft Plan Due: 28 April 2009

This phase involves assembling and analyzing our data from the S.W.O.T. Analysis and our previous Phase research and drafting long-term and short-term goals for the strategic plan. In the process, we will review the following projects prioritized by community members in our first meetings. We have made progress on almost all of these, and need to decide how and where to focus our energies and resources in the next several years.

Public Archaeology Lab

Public Archeology Excavation Plan
Website Expansion
Programming: Workshops, lectures, tours—themes, topics
Publications: guide for residents regarding archaeological heritage, brochures, etc.
Historic District and Archaeology: Ordinances, etc.
Community Resources Inventory: sites and artifact collections
Archaeological GIS

Proposed projects will be outlined, project leaders will be identified, and project tasks, schedules, and needed resources specified.

Phase V: Review Process Due: 14 May 2009

Our class will lead NCCHAP and other stakeholder representatives in reviewing the draft plan and negotiating revisions and additions.

Phase VI: Final Submission: Strategic Plan Due: 26 May 2009

In this final phase, we will incorporate proposed revisions into the plan, assess is for consistency and viability, and produce the final plan.

Vision

The New Castle Community History and Archeology Program is a collaborative venture that invests in the history and archeology of New Castle. By working with a diverse number of groups and individuals as an umbrella organization NCCHAP is able to accomplish goals outside the scope of what is currently available or possible in New Castle. By raising awareness and bringing attention to its worth, we strive to preserve the town’s cultural heritage through cooperation with our stakeholders, promotion efforts, and heritage tourism. With these ideals of preservation we are able to educate and maintain the archeological health of New Castle. We recognize that as the capital city of the 1st state, New Castle is truly a special place that warrants interest and support, both in and beyond the local community.

Mission

To promote participation and interest in New Castle’s historical and archeological heritage.

To promote collaboration among agencies, organizations, and individuals to better preserve and sustain the community’s heritage.

To enhance New Castle’s use by local schools as a historical resource.

To educate diverse audiences about the many histories of New Castle.

INTRODUCTION to the NCCHAP TEAM

Core Values

Serve: NCCHAP serves the not only community of New Castle, but the history and archeology it has to offer.

Preserve: NCCHAP works to maintain and preserve historical and archaeological sites of interest.

Educate: NCCHAP educates its members and the community on the importance of sustainability and preservation needs that stem from its historical and archeological value.

Collaborate: NCCHAP will collaborate with other organizations and the community to plan for the present and future of the program.

Fundamental Questions

What about New Castle’s history and archeology demands such a high level of preservation?

How will heritage tourism prove to be a valuable asset for New Castle?

How exactly does sustainability play a role in the actions of NCCHAP?

Why does NCCHAP place such importance on education?

WHERE WE’VE BEEN: HISTORY

The Organization’s Formation
“The New Castle Community History and Archaeology Program was formed in January 2006, following a series of community meetings and a successful “Doing Local History” workshop. At these community meetings, the residents indicated their interest in developing a community resource inventory and plan for artifact collection and preservation” (New Castle Courthouse Museum Press Release 3/9/06)
Like the inception of any publicly-minded organization, NCCHAP was born from a desire both within the community of New Castle and from participating organizations and stakeholders for the protection, preservation, and education of the rich histories of New Castle.

Past Projects
History of Archaeology in New Castle
George Read II House and Gardens
“Unearthing New Castle’s Past Project” led by Professor Lu Ann De Cunzo
1995-1999
One of the first/largest bodies of archaeological evidence currently recovered in New Castle
2006 – UD received a grant from the Unidel Foundation to support site and collections research and analysis and to develop a permanent, interdisciplinary heritage program in New Castle
Maritime Study of the Delaware River
July 2006 – led by the Institute of Maritime History
Yielded very few discoveries
Roof slate, ceramic, brick and glass
An ice pier and a coal pier
Immanuel Episcopal Church
1986-Present
Investigations of grave markers to determine the lifespan, family size, census numbers of individuals buried there since the building’s construction in 1706
New Castle Courthouse
NCCHAP led Archaeology Programs/Workshops/Tours/Lectures/Meetings
Workshops
Shoebox Archaeology (5/5/06)
Residents bring personal artifacts to be examined by professional archaeologists
Included a convenient “Questions Handout” to help residents identify and understand their artifacts
Pots and Plates Ceramic Identification Workshop (1/28/07)
Monthly Meetings
Hosted by NCCHAP at the New Castle Courthouse to discuss community problems/events/involvement (NCCHAP April Events)
Trips (centered on educating the pubic about their own resources such as property/local history)
Dover to utilize public archives (NCCHAP April Events)
DHS/Library in Wilmington (NCCHAP April Events)
Programs
“A Day in Old New Castle” 5/19/07
Research Your Own Historic Home
A house research guide for New Castle County is available from the State of Delaware
Recent NCCHAP Projects (as listed on the website)
Oral History
Quaker Meeting
Italian American community in New Castle
Downtown Businesses of the past, etc etc etc
Successes and Failures?

Audience

Before any projects can be planned or defined goals can be set, it is imperative to define NCCHAP’s target audience. This is not as simple a feat as it first seems, for the history and archaeology of New Castle affects many different potential groups at a local, state, and national level. However for our purposes it is clear that the main audience of NCCHAP for the next three years should continue to be the residents of New Castle and the surrounding area. It is vital for NCCHAP to become established within the community before attempting to vigorously address a national audience via tourism.

In order to cater to the city community, it is necessary to identify that community. The racial makeup of the city as of the 2000 census was 77.48% White, 20.20% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.84% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 2.41% of the population in New Castle[1]. This fact demonstrates that, though focusing on colonial interests engage the majority of resident’s histories, there are other ethnic groups within New Castle, particularly African Americans, who may appreciate a more inclusive view of history that includes the histories of their ancestors. (For example, this data shows NCCHAP would be including more of the total community’s history if the museums also focused on the role New Castle played in the Underground Railroad.) There were 2,012 households out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families[2]. Clearly workshops aimed towards adult couples and non-families (in other words towards adult individuals or friend networks) would be the most successful in New Castle. While focusing on the majority it is still important for NCCHAP to remember all of its audience. For instance, the statistic above does not include those children who may not reside directly in New Castle, but still attend the Colonial School District that is nestled in New Castle. By addressing the number of children within New Castle—and including those who may not reside in the city, but yet attend school there— NCCHAP may better understand how important it is to address children as an audience of their efforts, especially in regards to education.

As the school example shows, other aspects of NCCHAP’s local audience are not as well detailed as city residents. The idea of state or (eventually) national tourists currently does not have a solid background of research to support it. By addressing the people who come to New Castle as tourists, it would be possible for NCCHAP to angle their resources not only at the local community, but also to include their neighbors in other cities in the state of Delaware. More importantly for NCCHAP’s community centered attention, such a study would allow them to incorporate programs and displays that could assist and work with local businesses that depend on tourists. Again, this example depicts the next wave of NCCHAP’s efforts, and should only become the focus of NCCHAP after the more centralized aspects of the local community has been served.

Stakeholders

The number of groups that have a vested interest in NCCHAP’s mission is not only impressive, but important to NCCHAP’s success. Considered a basis of security for many businesses and organizations, stakeholders form a team that is essential for achievement, knowledge, and the correct handling of business practices. The stakeholders considered to be internal to NCCHAP include individuals and group organizations, both those working directly within the community as well as broader state and national groups.

One of the better known stakeholders is the New Castle Historical Society, which manages many of the historic buildings and museums in New Castle. These include the Dutch House, the Amstel House, the Old Library Museum, and the Gardens in New Castle City[3]. The Historical Society also organizes programs which incorporate these resources.

Also maintaining a structural piece of New Castle history is The New Castle Courthouse Museum. The Court House served as Delaware's first court and state capitol and was where the separation of the three counties, New Castle, Kent, and Sussex from Pennsylvania occurred. The New Castle Courthouse Museum hosts a number of exhibitions highlighting several significant periods in local history: Delaware history, Underground Railroad history, and the history of state government and law.

The third major stakeholder with structural assets is The Delaware Historical Society. The Delaware Historical Society is involved in maintaining the Read House and Gardens, the maintenance and distribution of publications such as Delaware History and the Delaware Historical Society Newsletter, offering programs for special interest audiences including school children and adults, and sustaining a research library that is open to the public[4].

The goals of the Historic Area Commission’s are to preserve, restore, and rehabilitate Historic New Castle. The main aspect of the Commission is the Board of Architectural Review and Zoning ordinances. This Board is composed of a City Council appointed architect, a city resident—who has municipal voting privileges—, a city resident member of the New Castle Historical Society, and a Planning Commission member, as well as a Mayor appointed member of the City Council. By controlling how the residents of New Castle renovate their homes, they strive to maintain the integrity of the city’s structural history.

The Friends of Bellanca Airfield, Inc is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the Bellanca airfield and aircraft manufacturing in New Castle, Delaware. The airfield, built by Bellanca and Henry B. DuPont in 1928, acted as both an aircraft service hanger and plant, producing approximately 3000 aircrafts before closing in 1954[5].

The New Castle Public Library is not only is a resource of information and literature, but is also very involved with the community, hosting numerous events each month for kids, teenagers and adults. In addition to offering the public institution of a library there is the Friends of the Library, a nonprofit organization that supports the Public Library through fundraisers, group activities, and donations. The Friends are doing their part to help toward the goal of the new library expansion[6].

The Colonial School District is entrusted with teaching the children of the New Castle area satisfactorily in all subject matter, including history. The school district is also centered in New Castle, with the William Penn High school just ten minutes away from historic New Castle. The Colonial School District is also quite extensive: it has three middle schools (George Read Middle, Gunning Bedford Middle, and Calvin R. McCullough), eight elementary schools (Carrie Downie Elementary, Castle Hills Elementary, Harry O. Eisenberg Elementary, Colwyck Elementary, Southern Elementary, Wilmington Manor Elementary, Kathleen H. Wilbur Elementary, and Pleasantville Elementary), and William Penn is the largest high school in the state of Delaware, consisting of 7 principals, about 200 staff members, and approximately 2,300 students.