One of the highlights of the 2026 season at Fort Delaware Museum of Colonial History in Narrowsburg, NY was the return of the exhibit featuring the original handmade buckskin jacket worn by founder James W. Burbank in the early years of the Fort’s operation.

Obviously influenced by the Davy Crockett craze that was sweeping the nation in the aftermath of the 1955 Walt Disney television mini-series about the frontier hero, Burbank—and occasionally other Fort Delaware employees at the time—had often appeared on the premises clad in the fringed jacket, matching pants, and a coonskin cap.

While not at all authentic for the colonial era depicted at Fort Delaware, the buckskin get-up appealed to youngsters of the day, and families swarmed to Narrowsburg, their interest fueled in part by the excitement generated by the nation’s fascination with Davy Crockett.

Initially intended by Walt Disney simply as a way to promote his upcoming Disneyland theme park, the Davy Crockett craze evolved into one of the most famous media fads of the 1950s, as in 1955 alone, Americans purchased more than $300 million in Crockett themed merchandise, including bubble gum cards, lunchboxes, drinking glasses and mugs, phonograph records, and, of course, buckskin jackets and coonskin caps.

While Burbank’s cap and trousers have been lost to time, the jacket survived and was a central piece in the longstanding museum exhibit that helped illustrate the story of Burbank and the Fort’s founding. But time eventually took its toll on the jacket, as well, and it was in such poor condition by the time The Delaware Company took over operation of Fort Delaware in 2021, it was finally removed from display. Cost estimates for cleaning it and preserving it properly were solicited from museum textile firms throughout the country, but in view of other priorities, the jacket was packed away, with as much care as possible.

Enter Elsie Kopcha and Howard Wasserman. Both Harris residents have been loyal volunteers at Fort Delaware for several years, and in 2025 they made the decision that the museum was lacking something significant without the Burbank jacket on display. While “the other Fort Delaware story,” chronicling Burbank’s efforts to turn his vision into reality and the obstacles and influences he dealt with in getting the place opened in 1957, remained an integral part of the narrative at the Fort, the presentation did not seem complete without the jacket as a visual aid.

So, largely through the generosity of the two volunteers, The Delaware Company was able to ship the jacket off to Museum Textile Services in Boston for preservation. Subsequently, the jacket has been returned to display this year and will play a significant role in next year’s activities at the Fort, which will be celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2027.

In the meantime, visitors will have a final opportunity to view the Burbank jacket—and all of the other outstanding features of Fort Delaware—this coming weekend, which will be the last two days of operation for 2026. Among other things, visitors can participate in authentic colonial era games, learn about the agricultural practices of the Cushetunk residents, visit an authentic 18th century apothecary and hear about treatments and remedies used on the frontier, visit with a woodworker and a blacksmith, and witness musket demonstrations and firings.

It is worth noting that in recognition of the end of another season, the gift shop at Fort Delaware will be offering special discounts on all its merchandise, ranging from books to toys and games to tee shirts and sweatshirts and coonskin caps, including items specific to the commemoration of America’s 250th birthday.

In addition to the discounts in the gift shop, the closing weekend will also feature a number of contests and games, with prizes awarded to children and adults for feats of skill and knowledge.

Fort Delaware is open on Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11 (weather permitting) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but no one is admitted after 4 p.m. The Fort is located on the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway at 6615 Route 97 in Narrowsburg. It has been operated by the Barryville based nonprofit history education group, The Delaware Company since 2021. Visit thedelwarecompany.org for more information.

John Conway is the Sullivan County Historian. His email is jconway52@hotmail.com. Visitors to Fort Delaware this weekend can hear his narration about James W. Burbank, the Fort’s founding father, for the last time in 2026 as the Fort closes for the season at the end of the day on Sunday, October 11.