A Partnership Built on History, Heritage, and Family: Sister Cities of Wilmington Helped Bring the 250 Ride to Life

Steve Magee Photography: Photo of Primus Poppiti portraying Thomas Rodney, Caesar's brother at the Separation Day Parade

When visitors gathered for the June 12–13 reenactment of Caesar Rodney’s historic ride to independence, they witnessed more than a journey through Delaware’s Revolutionary past. They also witnessed a remarkable family story come to life.

For the past several years, Sister Cities of Wilmington, Inc. has played an important role in fostering international friendships, cultural understanding, and educational exchange throughout Delaware and beyond. This year, the organization helped support Delaware’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary through its partnership with 250Ride.org and the Delaware Italian American Foundation.

At the center of that partnership is Sister Cities of Wilmington President Primus Poppiti, whose involvement in the project carried a unique and personal connection.

Not only is Primus a longtime supporter of the 250 Ride initiative, but he portrayed Thomas Rodney, the younger brother of Caesar Rodney, during the living history presentations and reenactments surrounding the ride. In an extraordinary coincidence, Thomas Rodney’s role was portrayed alongside Caesar Rodney by none other than Primus’ real-life brother, Ciro Poppiti III, founder of the Delaware Italian American Foundation and the driving force behind 250Ride.org.

Steve Magee Photography: Photo of Caesar Rodney portrayed by Ciro Poppiti III greeting patrons at the Separation Day Parade.

The result was a rare moment where two modern-day brothers brought two historic brothers back to life.

“It’s not often that history aligns this perfectly,” said Jesse Heninger, Director of Marketing for 250Ride.org. “The fact that Primus and Ciro portrayed Thomas and Caesar Rodney while working together to bring this story to the public added a powerful layer of authenticity and meaning to the entire experience.”

The connection becomes even more meaningful when considering the role their mother, Louise Poppiti, played in shaping one of the organizations that helped support the effort.

According to Primus, his involvement with Sister Cities of Wilmington began because of his mother.

“My mother made me do it,” Primus jokes when recalling how he joined the organization’s board in 2007.

Louise Poppiti was instrumental in helping establish Wilmington’s sister-city relationship with Olevano sul Tusciano, Italy, the ancestral home of the Poppiti family. She encouraged her son to become involved, reminding him that he was a descendant and suggesting it would be meaningful to have a family representative helping guide the partnership. Like many mothers, she added one final piece of persuasion, encouraging him to spend more time volunteering alongside her.

He joined the board and never left.

When longtime Sister Cities President Dennis Sheer became ill in 2017, Primus stepped into the role of President, helping guide the organization’s mission of strengthening cultural and civic ties between Wilmington and communities around the world.

Today, both Primus and Ciro often reflect on how proud their mother would have been to see her sons continuing the work she cared so deeply about.

Through Sister Cities of Wilmington, Primus helped connect international history and cultural understanding to Delaware’s 250th anniversary commemoration.

As part of the 250 Ride festivities, Sister Cities of Wilmington helped honor several nations whose people, leaders, or citizens played meaningful roles in America’s struggle for independence. Spectators along portions of the route had opportunities to wave national flags representing countries connected to Wilmington’s sister-city relationships and to the broader story of the American Revolution.

Those nations included:

France, represented through Wilmington’s relationship with Nemours, whose support proved vital to the American victory and whose famous son, the Marquis de Lafayette, remains one of the Revolution’s most celebrated figures.

Germany, represented through Fulda, whose military traditions are reflected in the contributions of Baron von Steuben, who helped transform Washington’s army at Valley Forge.

Italy, represented through Olevano sul Tusciano, whose historical connections include Italian-born supporters of the American cause such as Filippo Mazzei and Carlo Bellini.

Sweden, represented through Kalmar, reflecting the deep roots of Swedish settlement in the Delaware Valley and Sweden’s early diplomatic support of the United States.

Nigeria, represented through Osogbo, honoring the contributions and sacrifices of people of African descent during the struggle for independence, including figures such as Crispus Attucks and James Armistead Lafayette.

Steve Magee Photography: Caesar Rodney Poses with Reps of Sister Cities of Wilmington, Delaware at Separation Day Parade

For Sister Cities of Wilmington, the partnership proved to be a natural extension of its mission.

While the 250 Ride celebrated one of Delaware’s most important contributions to American history, it also served as a reminder that the Revolution was shaped by people, cultures, and alliances from around the world.

That message resonates strongly with the work Sister Cities has been doing for more than six decades.

As Primus reflected, “In celebrating the nations that helped shape America’s founding, Sister Cities of Wilmington also celebrates the enduring power of international friendship, cultural understanding, and shared history.”

Ashlee Emerson Photography: Primus Poppiti/Thomas Rodney address patrons during Christ Church Service 7/12/26

For the Poppiti family, however, the story is also deeply personal.

A mother who believed in preserving heritage inspired her sons to become involved in community service. Years later, those same sons stood side by side helping tell one of Delaware’s most important stories.

One brother portrayed Caesar Rodney. One brother portrayed Thomas Rodney.

Together, they helped bring history back to life.

But the story that began with Louise Poppiti’s encouragement continues today through multiple generations of the family she inspired.

“What began with my mother, Louise, encouraging me to join Sister Cities of Wilmington has truly become a family affair. Today, Louise’s grandchildren, Kathryn Poppiti and Sarah Betley, serve as board members alongside my wife, Alyson Poppiti. Her husband, Ciro Poppiti, and son, Joseph Poppiti, help maintain the Sister Cities Garden in Brandywine Park, ensuring that the organization’s presence continues to flourish in our community.

Louise would have been immensely proud of the legacy she inspired through volunteer service. Her belief in community, cultural understanding, and family involvement continues to live on through the generations that follow in her footsteps.”

Steve Magee Photography: Ciro and brother Primus walking the final 4.7 miles through downtown Philadelphia to Independence Hall

Nearly two decades after Louise encouraged her son to join the board, the seeds she planted continue to grow — strengthening friendships, preserving heritage, and reminding future generations that service to community is itself a legacy worth passing on.

And just as two brothers brought Caesar and Thomas Rodney to life during Delaware’s America 250 commemoration, an entire family continues to bring to life the values that Louise Poppiti instilled years ago — service, heritage, and a commitment to building friendships that transcend borders and generations.