DOVER — People at the Star Hill AME Church Museum are excited about its annual African American Heritage Day on Saturday.
“We want to continue to teach our African-American history so the children of this generation will never forget where they came from,” said Lucreatia Wilson, director of the museum at the Star Hill AME Church.
“There’s a reason why we get to enjoy the freedoms that we have today. It’s educates everyone on African-American history. It’s a chance for us to celebrate our African heritage.”
The event also provides an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have supported the museum’s mission.
This year honorees are Donald and Delores Blakey, of Dover. They have supported the museum and numerous community and cultural programs for more than 30 years.
“They’ve been a great fixture in the community for many years,” Ms. Wilson said.
“They’ve always been there for us. It’s just a way for us to thank them for all that they’ve done.”
Mrs. Blakey said they feel honored.
“We got the call a couple of months ago,” Mrs. Blakey said. “It was an amazing feeling that they would want to do something like this for us.
“It’s wonderful to have people respect what we’ve done throughout the years,” she added.
Ms. Blakey said they won’t rest on their laurels, though.
“It’s important to continue to help the community,” she said. “We will continue to do so for as long as we can.”
Anyone interested in sharing stories about the Blakeys will get two minutes to do so during the program.
Saturday’s event begins at 1 p.m. at 357 Voshells Mill Star Hill Road in Dover.
Ms. Wilson said she hopes the program continues forever.
“It’s important to keep our heritage alive,” Ms. Wilson said. “Our history has to live on for generations to come and if this generation doesn’t know their stories then we’re doomed to make the same mistakes that were made 100 years ago.
“We’re still living through that now with some of the tragic events that’s been happening with African-Americans lately,” she said.
“It’s important that we continue to pass our legacy down.”
A luncheon will follow the program.