old state house

I have been to the Old State House on the Green in Dover and always had a great experience. Tour the Old State House and also listen to re-enactors talk about individuals in the history of Delaware. Not just politicians but the every day individuals.

As a historian, my visit to Delaware was not compete without a visit to historic Dover for this attraction. The Old State House is one of the sites that make up the First State Heritage Park. It is located on The Green which is part of First State National Monument, Delaware’s first and only National Park Service unit that was established by executive proclamation by President Obama on March 25, 2013 under the Antiquities Act. For those who participate in the Passport to Your National Parks Program, the location of the cancellation station is inside the Old State House. The stamp reads:First State National Monument - Dover, DEThe Old State House is open for tours Monday - Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Sunday from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Admission is free. I took the free tour. The Old Court House was built between 1787 and 1791. It is a beautiful symmetrical Georgian building with a fanlight over the center door and a wonderful Palladian window in the center of the second floor right above the door. The marvelous octagonal cupola on the hipped roof enhances the building’s aesthetic appeal. Much like the New Castle Court House which origially housed the legislature as well, this building had multiple purposes and also housed a court which was an example of the English-style court system. There was a panel of three judges at an elevated desk. The judge in the center had the biggest wig. That’s where the term “bigwig” came from. A table in front of the judges was for the lawyers. There were two wooden spears on the side of the prisoners’ section. At the start of a trial, the spears were turned sideways. At the end, they would be turned to show the verdict. The white side was for innocent; the red side was for guilty. There were no jails here in the 1700’s so the penalty for a serious crime was death by hanging. Upstairs were the two chambers for the State Senate and State House. In 1777, the capital moved from New Castle to Dover. Delaware’s first permanent capitol building completed in 1791 here on Dover's historic Green. The State House was the home of Delaware's General Assembly until 1933.In a back room with a display, the guide told the story of James Summers, a free African American who bought his own enslaved children Ruth and Thomas Summers from their owner and then freed them. Text from the manumission document is on display. The court document is dated October 14, 1797. In other discussion on slavery, the name of William Still, a free African American abolitionist who lived in Philadelphia, came up. He is often called Father Underground Railroad Freedom Network. He was well acquainted with Harriet Tubman, perhaps its most famous conductor. Another name was Samuel Burris, a free African American abolitionist and conductor on the Underground Railroad. He got in legal trouble. He got caught leading Marie Mathews on her escape from Dover. Burris was jailed in Dover for fourteen months while he awaited trial. He was tried and convicted. He was automatically sentenced to be auctioned off into slavery. When Burris’s friends who were active abolitionists found out, they acted to free him. One of them posed as a slave buyer and bought Burris. He then set Burris free. Burris moved out west to San Francisco. After the tour, I explored The Green and visited the Biggs Museum of American Art.My high rating for this attraction includes some extra points for being adjacent to/nearby several other major attractions. If you found this review helpful, kindly click YES below.

Really cool little state house! I came here as part of the First State National Monument (which is technically the Green), and got a wonderful tour of the old building. It was really interesting to see how it was such a multi-purpose place, both a state and local court, the state house, and the Kent County legislative building.Also, the little exhibit on its role in the Underground Railroad was fascinating; I'd never heard of Samuel Burris, nor William Still, so it was great to add some conductor names to Harriet Tubman.As an aside, if you're collecting the national park stamps, the Old State House is where to get it.

We visited the Old State House and the Historic District of Dover. We were really amazed that it was so beautiful and peaceful. It felt like a trip to the past. You can walk everywhere, there's hardly any traffic and you can have a nice coffee afterwards at the Governors' cafe.The only problem is that Downtown Dover is hardly signposted. And there are no brochures in the hotels along route 13. The city should promote its historic downtown more (like Annapolis does).

Historical site that had a colorfully history. Started at John Bell house and then was given a tour by a guy in old times costume of the area. It was quite informative not only on the old state house, but Delaware as well.

This whole 2 block area was recently converted to a National Park, First State Heritage Park. You typically start at the John Bell house, which is one of the oldest buildings that is still around. They have very nice walking tours that can be as long or as short at you want. I stopped here on my way to the dogfishead brewer, to stretch my legs and get a little history lesson. The person tending the John Bell house handed me off to a younger intern and we went on a nice 20 minute tour around the square. My tour guide was very knowledgeable and it was a great way to stop and stretch my legs. They have lantern walking tours in the evening through some historic cemeteries and several other things as well. If you are in Dover it is a good stop. Remember to donate to the cause, if no one helps out we will not have these wonderful parks to enjoy.

We actually started at the John bell house and had a tour with a gentleman in period costume around the block which was very informative from Cesar Rodney, Delaware being the first state to ratify the constitution, Underground Railroad, suffragist, and stories about bldgs around. Then we walked into the oldState house. Love to see the historical bldgs and their history. Great story about a slave andhow he got his freedom inside.

This is a pretty one as capitals go. it is near the race track in the old center of town. it has a tall white tower style copula in the top center.

This state house was totally renovated in 1976 to look like it did during colonial times. A real historical treasure. You get to see the court room plus the senate and house chambers. Of significance is the life-size painting of George Washington. Tour guide was polite and knowledgeable. We watched a 5 minute video about the House.

So wonderful that a local lady prevailed on demolition prevention. restored to original court purposes. fine tour by an interested guide. don't miss.

The Old State House (and honestly all of "The Green") are worth walking around. I live in Dover so honestly I drive in this area everyday, but I can say that I never get tired of seeing all the old buildings. The State house is one of the oldest buildings on the Green and for the History buff, worth a visit.

good information, very informative, good to see and experience, advised go in the morning to avoid large crowd. good to start a beautiful tour

The first weekend in May is Dover Days, when the town and it's residents celebrate their colonial heritage. Centered around the Green where the old state house is located, residents give tours of the old houses, children dance the maypole, sell crafts and have a pie and ice cream social. There are concerts, a foot race and other goings on. A great low cost way to spend the weekend.

The guide at the old Delaware State House was excellent. My wife and I had him all to ourselves and were delighted to hear his story. This is a must see for anyone interested in Delaware history.

I have been here twice, once on my own, and once with my grandma. The first tour guide's name was Gabby, and he did an excellent job showing me around. Way to go Gabby!I cannot remember the name of the second tour guide (older man who was balding and had white hair), but he too was good.This is a good place to learn about Delaware history.