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, 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.
Contents
History of Woodburn
Early Beginnings
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 beautiful house we now call Woodburn.
The house was passed down to Mary, Charles Hillyard's daughter, and her husband, Martin W. Bates. Mr. Bates was a doctor, a merchant, a lawyer, and even a U.S. Senator. In 1820, he rented Woodburn to Governor Jacob Stout. This was the very first time Woodburn was used as the governor's home!
A Home for Governors
In 1825, Mr. Bates sold the house to Daniel and Mary Cowgill. Daniel Cowgill was a Quaker who strongly believed in ending slavery. He freed the enslaved people his family owned. He even let them meet in the great hall at Woodburn. This shows the house's connection to the "Underground Railroad", a secret network of safe places for enslaved people seeking freedom.
The Cowgill family owned Woodburn for many years. In 1912, they sold it to Daniel O. Hastings. He added a brick front porch and made other changes inside. In 1918, he sold the house to Frank Hall, a retired dentist. Mr. Hall also made more updates to the inside. During his time there, a young girl named Jessica Irby visited. Years later, she would live in Woodburn as the wife of a Delaware governor!
Modern Era and Restoration
After Mr. Hall passed away in 1953, people suggested making Woodburn the official governor's mansion. However, the idea was not approved by the state lawmakers at that time. The property was then divided. A school bought most of the land, and Thomas Murray bought the house with about one and a half acres around it.
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!), worked to get Woodburn for the state. Mrs. Terry carefully decorated the house with furniture from the time it was built. The decorating was finished a year later. In February 1966, an open house was held for everyone to see. Woodburn has been the official residence of Delaware's governors ever since.
What Woodburn Looks Like
Outside the House
Woodburn is a two-story brick house. It is built in a special brick pattern called Flemish bond. The house has stood strong for over 200 years! The main part of the house has three sections, with the front door on the far right. The large Dutch door has its original iron hinges and lock. Above the door is a beautiful fanlight window.
The windows have double sashes and nine glass panels. They are framed by sandstone blocks. Wooden shutters, shaped like dog-heads, are on the outside. A brick chimney sticks up through the sloped roof. A smaller section of the house has slightly smaller windows and an entrance to the basement.
Why Woodburn is Important
A Special Old House
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 (1759-1814), who built Woodburn, came from a rich family. His family had owned land for a long time and were active in the government and economy of Kent County, Delaware.
A Stop on the Underground Railroad
Many people believe Woodburn was a stop on the "Underground Railroad". This was a secret network of safe houses and routes that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. This belief is supported by local stories, the house's location, and the fact that one owner, Daniel Cowgill, was an abolitionist (someone who wanted to end slavery).
A famous novel from 1884, The Entailed Hat by George Alfred Townsend, even tells a story about an attempted kidnapping at Woodburn by a famous outlaw gang. The story says that a gunshot from this gang left a mark on the north door!
Home to Important People
Since 1965, the Governor's House has become even more important as the official home of Delaware's governors.
Over the years, many important Delaware families have lived in this house. Charles Hillyard, the original builder, was related by marriage to William Killen, who was Delaware's first Chancellor (a high-ranking judge).
Also, this historic house was once the home of Mrs. Vera Davis. She was a very special person because she was Delaware's first female legislator (someone who makes laws).
