Walk down memory lane at Delaware Public Archives

Memory Lane is a new exhibit on display in the Delaware Public Archives lobby.

For many, this celebration of things that aren’t there anymore will stir reminiscences of rocking at the Stone Balloon in Newark, enjoying a muskrat meal in Smyrna at the Wagon Wheel, or having a shopping spree at Wanamaker’s.

The exhibit contains 75 rare, newly digitized and restored photos of things, events and places in the First State that no longer exist, including beloved businesses, restaurants, theaters, festivals and parks. Visitors to the lobby galleries at the archives can view a five-minute informative video, read additional interesting historical facts, and receive a free, 16-page, full-color booklet packed with photos and First State trivia.

“This new exhibit shares images of things like Gino’s Hamburgers, S&H Green Stamps, Wilmington Dry Goods and the Delaware landmark, The Dinner Bell Inn,” said Stephen Marz, state archivist and Delaware Public Archives director. “For most of us longer-term Delawareans, these may be distant memories, but with this exhibit, we hope to trigger some long-forgotten fond memories with their nostalgic look at times gone by, and to share the stories of these local legends with our newer residents.”

To download a copy of the booklet, go to archives.delaware.gov. The free exhibition is available for the public to visit at the Delaware Public Archives, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. North, Dover.