First State Heritage Park

Park Highlights

First Saturdays in the First State

There’s always something new to discover, and First Saturdays are a great way to explore! Each month, park sites and attractions are open with a new variety of thematic special programs.

18th Century Market Fair

The past comes to life every November for 18th Century Market Fair! A “Renaissance Faire” style event for Colonial times, Dover’s historic green is transformed with minstrels, woodworkers and weavers, charlatans and shepherds, and other artisans displaying their wares. Special programming and activities for the whole family abound!

Stamp your National Park Service Passport

Delaware may have no National Parks, but First State National Historical Park – consisting of six sites across the state – has a site right in downtown Dover! Visit the Old State House to stamp your National Park Service Passport.

Take a Walking Tour

Join historical interpreters in 18th-century clothing as you walk through Dover’s historic Green and learn about the lives and times of the people who lived here across three centuries.

About the Park

Delaware’s first urban park without boundaries, First State Heritage Park explores the stories of remarkable Delawareans and innovative governance in the First State. The park centers around the historic Dover Green and consists of the John Bell House Interpretive Center and Legislative Hall as well as six partner sites (below). Costumed interpreters lead visitors in thematic walking tours, lantern tours, craft workshops and special events to highlight this historic town!

First Saturdays in the First State

On the First Saturday of each month, we want to welcome citizens and guests of Dover with a series of thematic programs and events. There is something new every month! Programs at all First State Heritage Park sites. Check the calendar for details. While the major park attractions are open throughout the week, a variety of special programs and events are developed at each site for the first Saturday of each month, some buildings, like Governor’s House at Woodburn are only open to the public on this day or by appointment.
John Bell House Interpretive Center

The hub for educational programming in the park, The John Bell House was built in the mid-1700s and offers a rare look into everyday life in Dover’s earliest days, as it witnessed generations of pivotal events.

Hours & Info:

Wednesday – Sunday, 9:00am – 4:30pm

Tours offered hourly from 10:00am – 3:00pm

Address: 43 The Green, Dover, DE 19901
Legislative Hall

Home to Delaware’s General Assembly since 1933, Legislative Hall is a beautiful example of Georgian-style architecture.

Hours & Info:

Tours offered Wednesday – Friday, 10:00am – 1:00pm

Address: 411 Legislative Avenue, Dover, DE 19901

For more information, visit:

https://legis.delaware.gov/Resources/PlanningAVisit
Welcome Center & Galleries

Park Partner Site

A great starting point for exploring First State Heritage Park, the Welcome Center offers free parking and information about the Park’s sites and programming, as well as rotating exhibits and galleries.

Hours & Info:

Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm

Address: 121 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Dover, DE 19901

For more information, visit:

https://history.delaware.gov/museums/fshpvc/fshpvc_main.shtml
Biggs Museum of American Art

Park Partner Site

This independent, non-profit museum boasts an outstanding collection of 18th- through 21st-century Delaware and American fine and decorative arts.

Hours & Info:

Thursday – Sunday, 10:00am – 5:00pm

Address: 406 Federal Street, Dover, DE 19901

For more information, visit:

http://www.biggsmuseum.org/
Woodburn and Hall House

Park Partner Site

Home to Delaware’s Governors since 1965, Woodburn was built around 1798. Next door, the Victorian-era Hall House serves as the Governor’s guest house.

Hours & Info:

Open First Saturday of the month, 10:00am – 1:00pm or by appointment

Address: 151 Kings Hwy, Dover, DE 19901

For more information, visit:

https://woodburn.delaware.gov/
Delaware Public Archives

Park Partner Site

One of the oldest archives in the US, Delaware’s Public Archives contain materials from the 17^th century to today as well as the Mabel Lloyd Ridgely Research Center.

Hours & Info:

Monday – Friday, by appointment only.

Address: 121 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Dover, DE 19901

For more information, visit:

https://archives.delaware.gov/
Johnson Victrola Museum

Park Partner Site

The Johnson Victrola Museum highlights the history of the Victor Talking Machine Company, which pioneered the development of the sound-recording industry and was founded by Delaware’s native son, Eldridge Reeves Johnson.

Hours & Info:

Wednesday – Saturday, 9:30am – 4:00pm

Address: 375 S. New St., Dover, DE 19901

For more information, visit:

https://history.delaware.gov/johnson-victrola-museum/
Old State House

Park Partner Site

Delaware’s first permanent capitol building completed in 1791 on Dover’s historic Green. The State House was the home of Delaware’s General Assembly until 1933. (Park Partner Site)

Hours & Info:

Tours offered hourly Wednesday – Saturday, 10:00am – 11:00am; 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Address: 25 The Green, Dover, DE 19901

For more information, visit:

https://history.delaware.gov/museums/sh/sh_main.shtml
Colonial Market Fair

First State Heritage Park’s 18th Century Market Fair brings the past to life each November, with woodworkers and weavers, horners, blacksmiths and brewers, charlatans and shepherds, soldiers, seamstresses, soapmakers and more displaying their skills and their wares on Dover’s historic Green. Learn more on the Market Fair Page

Colonial Market Fair