First State Heritage Park at Dover
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| First State Heritage Park at Dover | |
|---|---|
| Delaware State Park | |
 The Delaware State Capitol (or Legislative Hall) in Dover
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Delaware |
| County | Kent |
| Location | |
| - coordinates | Coordinates: |
| - elevation | 36 ft (11 m) |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Managed by | Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control |
| Nearest city | Dover, Delaware |
  Location of the First State Heritage Park at Dover in Delaware
|
|
| Website : First State Heritage Park at Dover | |
Fist State Heritage Park at Dover is a group of historical and cultural sites 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 at Delaware's Legislative Hall.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Historic and Cultural Sites
The sites of First State Heritage Park at Dover were organized as a state park in 2004 by Governor Ruth Ann Minner. 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, Legislative Hall, the Delaware Public Archives, the State House Museum, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the Delaware Archaeology Museum, the Museum of Small Town Life, the Delaware Visitor Center, the Biggs Museum of American Art, and Woodburn/Hall house.[2]
[edit] 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 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (when the General Assembly is not in session) and 9:00 a.m. - Noon (on session days).[2]
[edit] 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 exhibits are open Monday - Saturday 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 until 5:00 p.m. on state holidays. The research room is open Monday - Saturday 8:00 a.m. until 5:00pm.[2]
[edit] State House Museum
The Delaware State House served as the state's first permanent capitol building from 1792 until 1933. It is located on Dover's historic green. The State House originally house Delaware's state government and the government of Kent County.[3]
The State House has undergone several expansions and renovations since it opened in 1792. It was originally built in a Georgian architecture|Georgian]] 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.[3]
[edit] Johnson Victrola Museum
The Johnson Victrola Museum was built in honor of Eldridge R. Johnson 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.[4]
[edit] Delaware Archaeology Museum
The Delaware Archaeology Museum is home archaeologic exhibits of more than 11,000 years if human habitation in Delaware. Artifacts include arrowheads, ceramics, stone and bone tools used by the original Native Americans, the European colonists and residents of the state.[5]
The museum is in the Old Presbyterian Church of Dover. The church was built in 1790 to replace the original log church.[6] Ownership of the church building was transferred to the state in 1947 following the 1924 construction of a new church for the congregation.[6]
[edit] Museum of Small Town Life
The Museum of Small Town Life is adjacent to the Delaware Archaeology Museum. It is home to exhibits that show a variety of businesses from late 19th century Delaware life, including a woodworking shop, general store, print shop, pharmacy, and post office.[7]
[edit] Delaware Visitor Center and Biggs Museum of American Art
The Delaware Visitor Center is open Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. until 4:30pm, Saturday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:30 p.m. until 4:30pm. It houses to exhibits that change regularly.[2]
The Biggs Museum of American Art is home to an extensive collection of 18th- through 20th century Delaware and American art in the visitors center.[2]
[edit] Woodburn House
The Woodburn House is Delaware's official governor's residence. It was purchased by the state in 1965 and has housed the governor ever since.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ First State Heritage Park at Dover. Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
- ^ a b c d e First State Heritage Park at Dover Locations. Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
- ^ a b State House Museum accessdate = 2007-09-29. State of Delaware.
- ^ Welcome to the Johnson Victrola Museum. State of Delaware. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
- ^ Welcome to the Delaware Archaeology Museum. State of Delaware. Retrieved on 2007-09-27.
- ^ a b About the Building. State of Delaware. Retrieved on 2007-09-27.
- ^ Welcome to the Museum of Small Town Life. State of Delaware. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
- ^ THE HOME OF DELAWARE'S GOVERNOR. State of Delaware. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
|
||||||||||||||
