First State Heritage Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids First State Heritage Park
Old State House
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Location	Dover, Delaware, United States
Elevation	36 ft (11 m)
Established	2004
Administered by	Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

The First State Heritage Park is a special kind of park in Dover, Delaware. It's called a "park without boundaries" because it connects many important historic and cultural places all over the city. Dover has been the capital city of Delaware since 1777.

This park is a team effort between state and city groups, led by Delaware State Parks. Delaware is known as the "First State" because it was the very first state to agree to the United States Constitution.

Discover First State Heritage Park

The sites within the park help everyone learn about Delaware's important role as the first state. Governor Ruth Ann Minner created the park in 2004. It was a partnership between different state departments.

The park includes several interesting places. These are the Welcome Center and Galleries, the Old State House, Delaware Legislative Hall, the John Bell House, Delaware Public Archives, Johnson Victrola Museum, Delaware Governor's Mansion, and the Biggs Museum of American Art.

What Makes This Park Special?

The park's sites show how Delaware led the way in American history. They teach visitors about the state's past. You can explore many different types of history here.

Exploring the Historic Sites

Let's take a closer look at some of the cool places you can visit in the First State Heritage Park. Each one tells a unique story about Delaware.

Welcome to the Park!

The First State Heritage Park Welcome Center & Galleries is inside the Delaware Public Archives building. It's a great starting point for your visit to Dover. Here, you can learn about the city and plan your adventure.

The Old State House: A Glimpse into the Past

The Old State House was Delaware's main government building for a long time. It served this purpose from 1791 until 1932. You can find it on Dover's historic green. This building once held both the state government and the local Kent County government. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

The Old State House has changed its look over the years. It was first built in a Georgian architecture style. Later, in 1873, it was updated to a Victorian style. Then, in 1976, it was carefully restored to look like its original 1791 design. More big updates happened in 2007.

Delaware's Government Today: Legislative Hall

Legislative Hall is where Delaware's state government works today. It holds offices and meeting rooms for the Delaware State Legislature. This building has been the main place for making laws since 1933.

The John Bell House: A Tiny Piece of History

The John Bell House is a small, one-room building. Experts believe it was first built as a workshop. It was about 16 feet by 25 feet, with a small basement and attic. During restoration work that began in 2010, the year 1743 was found carved into a wooden beam. However, some think the building might be even older. Before it became part of the park, it was used as law offices and even a post office from 1818 to 1825.

Delaware Public Archives: Storing Our Stories

Delaware Public Archives building

The Delaware Public Archives building keeps a huge collection of historical items. These materials date from the 1600s all the way to today. It also has a special room where people can do research and learn about the past.

Johnson Victrola Museum: The History of Sound

The Victrola developed by Eldridge R. Johnson.

The Johnson Victrola Museum honors Eldridge R. Johnson. He was the person who started the Victor Talking Machine Company. This company made the famous Victrola record players. The museum has paintings, objects, and other cool things. They show how the sound recording industry grew and changed over time. This museum is part of the Delaware State Museum Buildings complex, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Biggs Museum of American Art: See Amazing Art

The Biggs Museum of American Art has a permanent collection of American art. This includes both fine art and decorative art. They also have new art shows that change throughout the year.

Woodburn and Hall House: The Governor's Home

Woodburn is the official home of Delaware's Governor. Hall House is a guest house for the Governor's visitors. You can take tours of these historic homes and their beautiful gardens.