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Echoes of Resilience: A Journey Through Western Sussex County’s History

The Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDARJ) recently hosted a powerful and eye-opening African American historical bus tour through Western Sussex County.

Our group gathered in the morning and departed from St. Martha’s Episcopal Church in Bethany Beach, crossing the county to travel deep into historic chapters of local survival, faith, and community. The tour featured a poignant stop at Tilly’s Escape in Seaford, honoring Harriet Tubman’s heroic Underground Railroad route, followed by an exploration of the unaltered 1772 structure and sacred burial grounds at Old Christ Church; recognized on the National Register of Historic Places as one of the few remaining unaltered wooden structures of its age in the United States.

A critical moment of reflection occurred at Coverdale Crossroads. The tour honored the deep history of this neighborhood, recognizing it as a community that fiercely persevered, survived predatory systemic housing exploitation, and ultimately rebuilt through true community partnership.

The day continued in Laurel with a visit to St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, celebrating the vibrant heritage of the region’s historic “June Strawberry Capital” traditions and a joyful lunch stop at Roger C. Fisher Park. Participants had the privilege of hearing directly from passionate local leaders.

Our exploration also highlighted the monumental history of African American education in Sussex County, featuring a stop at the historic Phillis Wheatley School in Bridgeville. Built during an era of systemic segregation and immense funding disparities, this institution represents the community’s fierce fight for equal education and civil rights.

The journey toward justice does not end when the bus stops. We invite you to watch the video and explore the hidden history in our own backyard.

Keep the Dialogue Going

True change begins with understanding. We invite all community members to join our signature program, Dialogue Toward Ending Racism (DTER). To learn more about upcoming dialogue sessions, volunteer opportunities, or to register, please visit sdarj.org or contact us directly at info@sdarj.org.