Seaford declares July 24 as 'Jim Bowden Day' to honor longtime local historian

Seaford Mayor Matthew McCrory on July 24 declared July 24, 2026, and each July 24 thereafter, "Jim Bowden Day" to honor James E. "Jim" Bowden Jr. for his work preserving the history of Seaford and engaging residents in local memory projects. The announcement came during a public ceremony attended by city staff, council members and visiting Georgetown Mayor Angela C. Townesen.

Townesen read a formal proclamation praising Bowden's "unwavering commitment and lifelong passion for discovering, documenting, and sharing the unique history of Seaford, Delaware," noting that his curated platform unites current and former residents with vintage photos and collective memories. "I do hereby issue this formal proclamation to recognize, commend, and celebrate James E. 'Jim' Bowden Jr. for his outstanding contributions as a guardian of local heritage," Townesen said.

Bowden, who accepted the recognition, thanked friends, family and volunteers and emphasized the value of keeping local stories alive. "This shows that people enjoy history," he said, adding that his family has lived in the area since about 1870 and that relatives have served the community in public-safety and auxiliary roles. He singled out his brother Bill as a personal influence.

Mayor McCrory thanked the municipal teams — parks and recreation, police and fire, and IT — for supporting the event and asked council members to join the stage for the presentation. The mayor said the proclamation designates July 24 as an annual observance in Seaford to recognize Bowden's contributions to historical preservation.

No formal council vote was reported during the ceremony; the recognition was issued as a mayoral proclamation and public celebration. The city and attending officials characterized the event as a civic honor and a moment to encourage intergenerational sharing of local history.