The purpose of the Mitchell Center for African American Heritage is to collect, preserve, research and present for public enrichment the history and heritage of Delaware’s African Americans and it is headquartered on the Delaware Historical Society’s Wilmington campus in the Delaware History Museum.
The Mitchell Center includes Journey to Freedom, an exhibition which explores Delaware's African American history through ten thematic sections beginning with Delaware’s first documented black resident Antoni Swart, also known as Black Anthony, an enslaved African transported from the West Indies in 1639. The exhibition presents topics of slavery and resistance, faith and freedom, pursuit of equality and expressions of selfhood and community. It also highlights the significant achievements of African American Delawareans within the state and others such as Reverend Peter Spencer and Louis L. Redding, who impacted the nation. Museum and web exhibitions, educational programs, lectures and special events complement historical society programs on African American history and culture.