First State Heritage Park at Dover
Encyclopedia
First State Heritage Park is Delaware's
first urban "park without boundaries" linking historic and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777. It is a partnership of state and city agencies under the leadership of Delaware State Parks
It is located in Dover
, Kent County
, Delaware
in the United States
. Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution
. The sites of the park highlight Delaware's role as the "First State." First State Heritage Park is open year round, with special tours of the sites given the first Saturday of each month.
. It is a partnership between the Delaware Economic Development Office, the Delaware Department of State, and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
.
The sites of the park are First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, The Old State House, Legislative Hall: The State Capitol, The John Bell House, The Delaware Public Archives, The Johnson Victrola Museum, Woodburn and Hall House - The Governor's House
, and the Biggs Museum of American Art.
. The Old State House originally housed Delaware's state government and the government of Kent County.
The State House has undergone several expansions and renovations since it opened in 1791. It was originally built in a Georgian architecture
style. The state house was remodeled in 1873 to reflect a Victorian
style and restored in 1976 to its original appearance. Extensive renovations of the State House also took place in 2007.
Guided tours of the building are offered throughout the day Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
founder of the Victor Talking Machine Company
. Exhibits as the museum include paintings, objects, memorabilia, and trademarks that highlight the development of the sound recording industry. The museum is open Wednesday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
, the official residence of Delaware's Governor since 1965; Hall House, the Governor's guest house; and a self-guided tour of the gardens. Available withour reservations, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month. Tours at other times available by advance reservation.
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
first urban "park without boundaries" linking historic and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777. It is a partnership of state and city agencies under the leadership of Delaware State Parks
Delaware State Parks
Delaware State Parks are operated and maintained by the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation, part of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control...
It is located in Dover
Dover, Delaware
The city of Dover is the capital and second largest city in the U.S. state of Delaware. It is also the county seat of Kent County, and the principal city of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Kent County. It is located on the St. Jones River in the Delaware...
, Kent County
Kent County, Delaware
Kent County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. state of Delaware. It is coextensive with the Dover, Delaware, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010 the population was 162,310, a 28.1% increase over the previous decade. The county seat is Dover, the state capital...
, Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
. The sites of the park highlight Delaware's role as the "First State." First State Heritage Park is open year round, with special tours of the sites given the first Saturday of each month.
Historic and Cultural Sites
The sites of First State Heritage Park were organized as a state park in 2004 by Governor Ruth Ann MinnerRuth Ann Minner
Ruth Ann Minner is an American politician and businesswoman from Milford, in Kent County, Delaware. She is a member of the Democratic Party who served in the Delaware General Assembly, as the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Delaware and two terms as the first female Governor of Delaware.-Early life...
. It is a partnership between the Delaware Economic Development Office, the Delaware Department of State, and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control of the state of Delaware is the primary body concerned with the governance of public land, natural resources, and environmental regulations for the state. DNREC is composed of several Divisions that have correlates in other U.S...
.
The sites of the park are First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, The Old State House, Legislative Hall: The State Capitol, The John Bell House, The Delaware Public Archives, The Johnson Victrola Museum, Woodburn and Hall House - The Governor's House
Delaware Governor's Mansion
The Delaware Governor's Mansion, also known as Woodburn or Governor's House, is the official residence of the Governor of Delaware and the governor's family...
, and the Biggs Museum of American Art.
First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries
The First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries is open Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30pm, Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, 1:30 p.m. - 4:30pm. It features changing exhibitions created by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs and provides information on local and statewide attractions, events and activities. All-day free parking.The Old State House
The Old State House served as the state's first permanent capitol building from 1791 until 1932. It is located on Dover's historic greenVillage green
A village green is a common open area which is a part of a settlement. Traditionally, such an area was often common grass land at the centre of a small agricultural settlement, used for grazing and sometimes for community events...
. The Old State House originally housed Delaware's state government and the government of Kent County.
The State House has undergone several expansions and renovations since it opened in 1791. It was originally built in a Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
style. The state house was remodeled in 1873 to reflect a Victorian
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
style and restored in 1976 to its original appearance. Extensive renovations of the State House also took place in 2007.
Guided tours of the building are offered throughout the day Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Delaware Legislative Hall
Legislative Hall is the state capitol building. It houses offices and the assembly room for the Delaware State Legislature. Legislative Hall has served as the main legislative building since 1933. It is open for tours, Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.John Bell House
Visit with historical interpreters and learn about this newly restored house, the oldest surviving wooden structuer in Dover. Open Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.Delaware Public Archives
The Delaware Public Archives building houses an extensive collection of materials dating back as far as the 17th century to today. The research room is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m - 4:15 p.m and the first Saturday of the month from 9:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.Johnson Victrola Museum
The Johnson Victrola Museum was built in honor of Eldridge R. JohnsonEldridge R. Johnson
Eldridge Reeves Johnson co-created the Victor Talking Machine Company alongside Emile Berliner, a United States corporation, and built it into the leading American producer of phonographs and phonograph records and one of the leading phonograph companies in the world at the time.In...
founder of the Victor Talking Machine Company
Victor Talking Machine Company
The Victor Talking Machine Company was an American corporation, the leading American producer of phonographs and phonograph records and one of the leading phonograph companies in the world at the time. It was headquartered in Camden, New Jersey....
. Exhibits as the museum include paintings, objects, memorabilia, and trademarks that highlight the development of the sound recording industry. The museum is open Wednesday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Biggs Museum of American Art
The Biggs Museum of American Art houses a permanent collection of American fine and decorative arts as well as changing exhibitions throughout the year. It is open Tuesday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.n.Woodburn and Hall House - The Governor's House
Enjoy guided tours of WoodburnDelaware Governor's Mansion
The Delaware Governor's Mansion, also known as Woodburn or Governor's House, is the official residence of the Governor of Delaware and the governor's family...
, the official residence of Delaware's Governor since 1965; Hall House, the Governor's guest house; and a self-guided tour of the gardens. Available withour reservations, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month. Tours at other times available by advance reservation.