HSPV Studio: Delaware Children's Theater

This studio highlighted that the Delaware Children’s Theatre (DCT) is a highly influential organization and a cultural asset in the city of Wilmington, Delaware, having made a significant impact on multiple generations of participants. This relevance is supported by the values DCT has as an organization and as a place for the community: Historic, Social, Use, Aesthetic and Economic. Compared to other cultural venues, the great quality of the plays and community engagement requires the building fabric to provide a unique DCT theatrical experience.
About its history, it was built between 1892 and 1893 by Minerva Parker Nichols, the nation’s first independent female architect. Today, 1014 Delaware Ave is the only surviving public commission by Parker Nichols. The building was originally the Wilmington New Century Club (WNCC), the first purpose-built women’s club in Delaware and one of the earliest in the United States which had a profound influence on social advocacy, political reform, and Wilmington’s cultural scene. The building itself served as a vital space for community gathering and activism, with its history intricately linked to physical space.
In 1983, Marie Swajeski saved the building from demolition and transformed it into The Delaware Children’s Theatre. Today, the theater is led by Marie’s children, Donna and David Swajeski, who continue to honor the legacy of the building. Their great work is represented by their engagement with the volunteers and youth development initiatives, the influx of local as well as out-of-state attendees to the shows, and the good condition of the building, preserving numerous character defining elements. Despite their dedication, the organization faces challenges such as limited resources, a small volunteer base, and a constrained site surrounded by commercial infrastructure.