10/1/2011 "Keeping Up With The Loockermans"

On the first Saturday of October, at a First State Heritage Park Program, I was excited to learn more about the family name "Loockerman" which is the name of a street that runs through the business section of Dover. Dover had a family in the 1700s, who gained significant wealth through real estate and as merchants. Researching the family was tricky considering the lack of documents. In 18th century Dover, the well-heeled family might have a cupboard of rum and sugar and a closet of quilted petticoats and silk gowns. Not only would Vincent Loockerman’s have all those luxuries, but he was likely the person who brought the goods up the St. Jones River to the citizens of Dover. I felt so surprised when I got a rare look at the Loockerman family through artwork, furniture, clothing and documents .


"Meet the Loockermans” Under the tent on The Green
Visitors should start here to meet this family of 18th-century merchants who left their mark on Dover’s history. They will encounter two key living-history characters – Vincent and Elizabeth – on this journey of discovery.

“What Elizabeth Wore” The Old State House
This was a rare, one-day-only opportunity to see dresses and accessories worn by Susannah and Elizabeth Loockerman in 1750 – 1810, now in the collections of the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. From silk ballgowns of the late 1700s to the Napoleonic looks of the early 1800s, the Loockerman women stayed fashion forward. Two standouts from the collection are a rose silk gown paired with a rose quilted petticoat and red damask slippers and a cream colored, wool empire style gown from about 1810. Very few clothing collections exist from this time period, or at least collections this complete. Others may have one dress or one male ensemble; the Loockermans left eight complete looks. I felt as though I was looking at Cinderella's gowns.....only, I was inches away without glass. The dresses and shoes had not been displayed since 1976. I was so happy to be part of this one day event!

“Where Vincent Sat” Biggs Museum of American Art
The furniture owned by Vincent Loockerman was displayed along with his 1750 portrait on loan from the State of Delaware. By looking at their furniture, their items and their houses, Vincent was successful, and it showed. When you’re probably one of the wealthiest men in the U.S., you’re going to want luxury goods, you’re going to want to look the part and not just in your own person but in your family.




“What Dover Bought” John Bell House
Dover residents of the 18th century were eager consumers. These people where connected and knew what the trends in Philadelphia were. The kinds of goods that merchants like Loockerman imported from Philadelphia and the world via the St. Jones River were on display to see and touch.

The John Bell House was just recently renovated and dates back to the mid-1700s and was owned by three generations of the Bell family. The Bells owned and operated a series of 18th-century taverns around The Green, and it is believed that the structure originally served as a workshop. In the mid-19th century, two notable Delawareans – Nathaniel Smithers and George Valentine Massey – maintained law offices in the building.

“What Words Reveal” Delaware Public Archives
Surviving Loockerman family papers, ledgers, deeds, wills and inventories reveal 18th-century Dover’s world of merchants and consumers. When viewing these ledgers and accounts, I was not only looking at what Vincent Loockerman was able to purchase from Philly, but also what the market was in Dover.