As the page has turned on the celebration of Black History Month, perhaps it’s time to properly recognize Delaware’s “unsung hero,” patriot John Dickinson.
As background, in front of Smyrna Town Hall is a large, beautiful bronze statue of George C. Wright Jr., the seven-term duly elected black Smyrna mayor — a monument purchased by the state of Delaware for $400,000. There is also a George C. Wright Jr. Municipal Park in Smyrna.
In addition, Mayor Wright was employed as the second highest-ranking federal employee at the Dover Air Force Base.
As fully deserved as Mayor Wright’s honors are, there is someone else Delawareans should honor, as well.
The state of Delaware has never allocated funds to erect a statue to John Dickinson, Dover’s Colonial patriot and “Penman of the Revolution.”
Dickinson, who owned a plantation south of the current Dover Air Force Base, was the only patriot who immediately freed his Black slaves.
During this year’s legislative session, our elected politicians could pass a law to fund and commission the creation of a $600,000-plus bronze statue to commemorate John Dickinson.
And then, on July 4, 2027, our 251st Independence Day, a proper ceremony could dedicate John Dickinson’s statue, in a renamed John Dickinson Park on Mirror Lake, near Dover’s ironically named Division Street.
Dave Graham
Smyrna
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
