K. Lynn King

Lynn is a native of Wilmington, DE.  Her interest in the 18th century and preserving historical sites began when she volunteered at Greenbank Mill.  Interests include Revolutionary War reenacting, playing the mountain dulcimer, music, singing, sewing, knitting, astronomy, gardening, 18th century dancing.  She is a life member of the Brandywiners, Ltd (local theatre group that performs on the Longwood Gardens Open Air Theatre), a member of the Delaware Astronomical Society, Rittenhouse Astronomical Society.  Volunteers at Mt. Cuba Astronomical Observatory, Chadds Ford Historical Society, the Thomas Massey House, the Hale-Byrnes House and Longwood Gardens.  She is also presenter of Caroline Herschel, 18th century astronomer.Recently Lynn assisted in the completion of the William Herschel documentary.  Lynn is looking forward to sharing her love of the 18th century and music.Quoting a friend, "Preservation is the future of our past."

Bill Knightly

Bill Knightly is a native Delawarean. He is a graduate of Salesianum School in Wilmington and the University of Delaware. He served for 30-years as an infantry officer in the United States Army. After retiring from the Army, Bill worked for the United States Southern Command in Miami Florida. He and his wife Amy returned to Delaware a few years ago to be close to kids and grandchildren. Bill is an avid historian of the local area focused on the American Revolution in Delaware. He has produced podcasts, written articles and a film documentary on colonial history in Delaware. He recently authored The British Occupation of Wilmington: An Untold Story of the American Revolution. He is currently finishing a second book on historical events in Wilmington

Donna Draper

Donna Draper has been an active board member of Hale Byrnes House since 1984 when she, along with Sarah F. D. Miller, Kip Boden and architect George M. Whiteside III reinstituted the Delaware Society for the Preservation of Antiquities which had been defunct since the house was given to the State as a Bicentennial gift in 1976.
Donna is also a director of the New Sweden Centre, past director of the Delaware Swedish Colonial Society, a board member of the Newark Historical Society, a guide at the Newark History Museum, and a docent at the Old Swedes Historic Site. She is Past State Regent of the Delaware State Society of the Daughters of the American Colonists. She has chaired both the 2004 and 2012 Colonists Day Celebrations -- and continues to be involved in this event. An active volunteer at the Newark Senior Center, she is also a board member of the Friends of the Bear Library, a deacon & elder at White Clay Creek Presbyterian Church.
In February 2015, Donna, who had already received City of Newark's Jefferson Award, was honored by the State for her volunteer work for Delaware Recreation and Parks Society.
Donna & her husband, Milt Draper, Jr., have three sons and six granddaughters. Donna received her BS degree from Central Michigan University. She moved to Newark, Delaware in 1961.

Nancy Parker

Nancy's love of local history blossomed after she retired from Artesian Water Company in 2007. Shortly after her retirement, she began working as guide/educator for the Delaware Historical Society and also the New Castle Historical Society.
As Conservation and Environmental Initiatives Coordinator at Artesian, Nancy had taught fourth graders to conserve water and protect our natural resources. It was an easy transition for her to share colonial history with the same age group at the Amstel House, the Dutch House and the Read House and Gardens.
In Historic New Castle she enjoys sharing her passion for good food as an open hearth cook. She began volunteering at the Hale Byrnes House soon after she learned that David Finney (son of Dr. John Finney, who built the Amstel House in Old New Castle), owned HB House from 1750-1772.
Nancy previously served on the Boards of the Delaware Nature Society, the Appoquinimink River Association and the Christina Conservancy, where she is now an Advisor. In addition she has served on the Boards of Chapel Street Theatre in Newark and the Everett Theatre in Middletown. She is a member of the Delaware Historical Society, the New Castle Historical Society and Preservation Delaware.