John Dickinson House facts for kids
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John Dickinson House
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John Dickinson House
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 Location in Delaware
Location in the United States
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| Location | 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, Delaware |
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| Built | 1739/40 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000258 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 20, 1961 |
The John Dickinson House, also known as Poplar Hall, was the childhood home of John Dickinson, one of America's Founding Fathers. The Founding Fathers were the leaders who helped create the United States. The house is located in Kent County, Delaware, about five miles south of Dover.
This historic house is where Dickinson grew up and lived at different times. He was a very important writer and politician who helped shape the new nation. He was the main author of the Articles of Confederation, the first government plan for the United States. He also helped write the U.S. Constitution.
Today, the John Dickinson House is a museum run by the state of Delaware. It is also part of the First State National Historical Park, which protects important historical sites in Delaware.
Contents
History of the House
Building Poplar Hall
The main part of the house was built between 1739 and 1740. It was built by John Dickinson's father, Judge Samuel Dickinson. The house was designed in the Early Georgian style, which was a popular and elegant style of architecture at the time.
The house was the center of a huge farm, called a plantation, that was over 13,000 acres. The family grew crops and lived off the land. More rooms, called wings, were added to the house in 1752 and 1754 to make it bigger.
Challenges and Changes
Poplar Hall faced some difficult times. During the Revolutionary War, British soldiers raided the house in August 1781 and caused a lot of damage.
Later, in 1804, a fire broke out and almost destroyed the entire building. Even though the house was damaged, it was eventually repaired. John Dickinson always cared deeply about his childhood home, even when he lived elsewhere.
Who Was John Dickinson?
A Famous Writer and Politician
John Dickinson was a skilled lawyer and politician who lived mostly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington. Because of his powerful writing that supported American freedom, he earned the nickname The Penman of the Revolution.
His most famous work was a series of essays called Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania. In these letters, he clearly explained why the American colonies should have more liberty.
A Leader for a New Country
Dickinson served in many important government roles. He was a representative for both Pennsylvania and Delaware in the Continental Congress, the group that governed the colonies during the war. He also served as the leader, or President, of both Delaware and Pennsylvania (a role similar to a governor today).
While he did not vote for the Declaration of Independence in 1776, he worked hard to support the new government of the United States. He played a key part in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where leaders gathered to create the U.S. Constitution that is still used today.
Visiting the House Today
The John Dickinson House was saved from being torn down in 1952 when a group called the National Society of Colonial Dames of America bought it. They gave the property to the State of Delaware to protect it.
In 1961, the house was named a National Historic Landmark, which means it is one of the most important historic places in the country. Now, you can visit the house and see what life was like in the 1700s and learn more about this important Founding Father.
