First State Heritage Park at Dover

Geobox Protected Area
name = First State Heritage Park at Dover
native_name =
other_name =
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category_local = Delaware State Park
category_iucn =

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image_caption = The Delaware State Capitol (or Legislative Hall) in Dover
etymology_type =
etymology =
country = United States
state = Delaware
region_type = County
region = Kent
district_type =
district =
city =
location =
lat_d = 39
lat_m = 09
lat_s = 29
lat_NS = N
long_d = 75
long_m = 31
long_s = 29
long_EW = W
elevation_imperial = 36
elevation_round = 1
area_unit = acre
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area_round = 1
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established_type =
established = 2004
management_body = Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
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free_type = Nearest city
free = Dover, Delaware
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map_caption = Location of the First State Heritage Park at Dover in Delaware
map_locator = Delaware
map_first =
website = [http://www.destateparks.com/heritagepark/index.asp 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. cite web | url = http://www.destateparks.com/heritagepark/index.asp | title = First State Heritage Park at Dover | accessdate = 2007-09-29 | publisher = Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control ]

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. cite web | url = http://www.destateparks.com/heritagepark/FirstStateHeritageParkatDoverSites.htm | title = First State Heritage Park at Dover Locations | accessdate = 2007-09-29 | publisher = Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control ]

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).

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.

tate 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. cite web | url = http://history.delaware.gov/museums/sh/sh_main.shtml | title = State House Museum accessdate = 2007-09-29 | publisher = State of Delaware]

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.

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. [ cite web | url = http://history.delaware.gov/museums/jvm/jvm_main.shtml | title = Welcome to the Johnson Victrola Museum | accessdate = 2007-09-29 | publisher = State of Delaware ]

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. [ cite web | url = http://history.delaware.gov/museums/dam/dam_main.shtml | title = Welcome to the Delaware Archaeology Museum | accessdate = 2007-09-27 | publisher = State of Delaware ]

The museum is in the Old Presbyterian Church of Dover. The church was built in 1790 to replace the original log church. cite web | url = http://history.delaware.gov/museums/dam/building.shtml | title = About the Building | accessdate = 2007-09-27 | publisher = State of Delaware ] Ownership of the church building was transferred to the state in 1947 following the 1924 construction of a new church for the congregation.

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. [ cite web | url = http://history.delaware.gov/museums/stl/stl_main.shtml | title = Welcome to the Museum of Small Town Life | accessdate = 2007-09-29 | publisher = State of Delaware ]

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.

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.

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. [ cite web | url = http://woodburn.delaware.gov/default.shtml | title = THE HOME OF DELAWARE'S GOVERNOR | accessdate = 2007-09-29 | publisher = State of Delaware ]

References