Delaware Governor's Mansion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Governor's House
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 Location in Delaware
Location in the United States
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| Location | Kings Hwy., Dover, Delaware |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1790 |
| Architect | Hillyard, Charles |
| Architectural style | Middle Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000279 |
| Added to NRHP | December 5, 1972 |
The Delaware Governor's Mansion, also known as Woodburn or Governor's House, is the official home for the governor of Delaware and their family. It is located in Dover. This historic house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
A Look at Woodburn's Past
How Woodburn Was Built
The land where Woodburn stands was first given to David Morgan in 1684 by the Swedish crown. Later, in the 1780s, Charles Hillyard III bought the land. In 1790, he built the house we now call Woodburn.
Early Owners and Governors
Charles Hillyard's daughter, Mary, and her husband, Martin W. Bates, inherited the house. Martin Bates was a doctor, a merchant, a lawyer, and even a U.S. Senator. In 1820, Bates rented Woodburn to Governor Jacob Stout. This was the first time Woodburn was used as the governor's home.
A Stop on the Underground Railroad
In 1825, Bates sold the house to Daniel and Mary Cowgill. Daniel Cowgill was a Quaker and believed strongly that slavery was wrong. He freed his family's enslaved people. He also let them meet in the great hall at Woodburn. Because of this, many people believe Woodburn was a stop on the "Underground Railroad." This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom. A novel from 1884, The Entailed Hat, even tells a story about the house.
Changes and Renovations
The Cowgill family owned the house for many years. In 1912, Daniel O. Hastings bought it. He added a brick front porch and made changes inside. Later, in 1918, Frank Hall, a retired dentist, bought Woodburn. He also made more updates to the inside of the house. A young guest named Jessica Irby visited the house during this time. She would later live there as the wife of a Delaware governor.
Becoming the Official Governor's Home
After Frank Hall passed away in 1953, there was an idea to make Woodburn the official governor's mansion. But the state legislature did not approve it then. The property was split up. A school bought most of the land, and Thomas Murray bought the house with a small piece of land.
The idea of making Woodburn the governor's home came up again in 1965. Governor Charles L. Terry, Jr. and his wife, Jessica Irby-Terry (the same Jessica who visited as a child!), helped the state buy Woodburn. Mrs. Terry worked to restore the house. She decorated it with furniture from the time it was built. The work was finished a year later. In February 1966, they held an open house for everyone to see it. Woodburn has been the official residence ever since.
Woodburn's Design and Look
The House's Outside Appearance
Woodburn is a two-story brick house. The bricks are laid in a special pattern called Flemish bond. This pattern has helped the house last for over 200 years. The main part of the house has three sections, called bays. The front door is on the far right bay. It's a large Dutch door with original iron hinges and a lock. Above the door is a big, rounded window called a fanlight. This fanlight is under a triangle-shaped part called a pediment.
The windows have two sashes and nine glass panels. They are framed by sandstone blocks. Wooden shutters, shaped like dog-heads, are on the sides of the windows. A brick chimney sticks up through the sloped roof. A smaller section of the house, called a wing, has slightly smaller windows and an entrance to the basement.
Why Woodburn Is Important
Architectural Importance
The Governor's House is very important for its architecture. It is a great example of a high-quality home from the 18th century in Delaware. It has been carefully kept as part of the state's museum system. This system shows different types of Delaware homes from various time periods.
Charles Hillyard, who built the house, came from a wealthy family. His family had owned land and been involved in government and business in Kent County, Delaware for many generations.
Home to Notable People
Besides being the governor's residence since 1965, Woodburn has been home to other important Delaware families. Charles Hillyard was the son-in-law of William Killen, who was Delaware's first Chancellor (a high legal official).
The house was also once the home of Vera Gilbride Davis. She was the first woman legislator in Delaware.
