First State National Historical Park

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First State National Historical Park

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First State National Historical Park.

10/02/2026

SAVE THE DATE!

The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs (HCA) cordially invites you to the John Dickinson Plantation Visitor Center Opening and Ribbon Cutting.

When: Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM

Where: 250 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE 19901

We are thrilled to open this new facility, which features dedicated community meeting space and exciting educational opportunities. The grand opening will mark the debut of our new exhibition, “One Land Many Voices.”

Following the ceremony, we invite you to stay and enjoy Revolutionary Trades Day, running from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

This event is free and open to the public. We look forward to celebrating with you!

10/01/2026

The Sheriff’s House Welcome Center will be closed on Saturday, October 10th, as park staff will be supporting our partners at the John Dickinson Plantation for Revolutionary Trades Day!

Join us at the John Dickinson Plantation from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM for a fun-filled day exploring trades and activities from the 18th century. Make your own perfumed sachet, learn about the printing press, try your hand at dancing, and discover other trades from the period.

We hope to see you there!

NPS Photos

09/30/2026

On September 4, First State National Historical Park joined partners for the unveiling
of a new National Park Service sign at Claymont Community Center, one of three Delaware affiliated areas of Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park.

In 1951, African American children in Claymont were barred from attending the local high
school and instead had to travel nearly an hour to a school with poorer facilities and
deficient curriculum. The parents of these children sued the Delaware Board of Education
in Belton v. Gebhart and ultimately won, striking down legal segregation in the state.

In September 1952, 12 African American students enrolled at the previously all-white
Claymont High School, making it the first public high school in the 17 states that permitted public school segregation to be legally integrated. The case later became part of Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark case that declared legally segregated public schools unconstitutional in the entire country.

We are proud of our partnership with such a historic site and excited to see what they do
next!

NPS Photograph

09/28/2026

Do you or someone you know have a connection or experience tied to the Sheriff’s House in Historic New Castle, Delaware?

First State National Historical Park wants to hear your story! On October 18, 20, 21, and 25, park staff will be conducting interviews as part of an oral history project exploring the people, memories, and experiences connected to the Sheriff’s House.

Interviews will last approximately 30–45 minutes and are by appointment only.

Interested in sharing your story or learning more? Contact First State National Historical Park at 302-317-3854 or [email protected] to schedule an interview.

Rich stories about historic buildings like the Sheriff’s House bring its history to life and show that buildings have many lives that are directly shaped by human experiences.

Photo Credit: Riggs and Ward Design

09/25/2026

⚠️ Event Cancellation

Due to the forecasted weather, the National Public Lands Day event scheduled for Saturday, September 26th at First State National Historical Park has been canceled.

This cancellation includes all scheduled activities:
• Bird Hike
• Roadside Cleanup
• Ranger Hike

We appreciate your understanding and hope everyone stays safe during the inclement weather.

09/19/2026

Preserving historic places and landmarks takes a dedicated team.

In 1988, to combat the declining condition of Old Swedes Churchyard, the Old Swedes Restoration Committee announced a three-year project to restore the churchyard and redesign and reconstruct the site’s outdoor amphitheater. Part of this plan included restoring broken tombstones in the churchyard, where the earliest burial dates back to 1638.

The committee hired Columbia University’s Center for Preservation Research to work on the tombstones because of their work restoring cemeteries in cities such as Boston and New Orleans. At Old Swedes, the preservationists cleaned and sealed the tombstones, put the pieces of the stones back together when necessary and trained community members so they could continue the preservation work after the team left. In March 1990, although the tombstone project wasn’t finished, the completed stones were described as “white as bleached bones” by The News Journal.

The cooperation by organizations and individuals to learn and engage in historic preservation practices shows the pride that the stewardship of historic sites like Old Swedes Church brings to communities. The churchyard cemetery is the final resting place for many, and preserving its historic integrity takes hard work to honor those individuals and preserve America’s earliest stories.

NPS Photograph

09/14/2026

‼️ROAD CLOSURES & PARKING RESTRICTIONS‼️

Intermittent road closures and parking restrictions will begin in Historic New Castle around the New Castle Court House Museum and the Park Welcome Center starting Wednesday, September 16 through Friday, September 18.

09/13/2026

Sometimes the start of fall foliage and cooler weather in Delaware is enough to dust off your dancing shoes and get you movin and groovin to warm up! If this is you, the John Dickinson Plantation is hosting a fun event on September 16 and 30 from 7 pm to 9 pm that will scratch that itch. Join Michelle Sebastian Aldrich as she leads English country dance (ECD) lessons for John Dickinson Plantation's "Dancing at the Dickinson" program.

ECD is a form of dance that was popular amongst the English from the mid-sixteenth century until the early nineteenth century. It also made its way to the original American colonies, and in the early 1800s, Americans waited for English dance books to make their way over to the states, as well as publishing their own. Aldrich has led ECD lessons since 2010 and founded Sebastian ECD, a traveling ECD group that performs at venues around the Washington D.C. area.

"Dancing Dickinson" is a free event and open to anyone over the age of 13, although individuals aged 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult during the program. Additionally, participants are encouraged to wear flat shoes and comfortable, loose clothing. Coming with a partner is not required as participants will switch partners throughout the program.

For additional information and to pre-register for the program, call the John Dickinson Plantation at 302-739-3277.

NPS Photo

09/12/2026

Please join First State NHP and Penns Wood Winery in celebrating National Public Lands Day, on September 26, with a day of meaningful service, conservation, community and exploration. We will gather at the Penns Woods Tasting Room at 9:30 am before heading out for a roadside clean-up along Beaver Valley Road and Beaver Dam Road.

Participants are also welcome to join an optional birding walk before the clean-up at 8:30 am or a ranger-led hike afterward at 11 am. These activities are a great way to learn more about the rich natural history of the Brandywine Valley.

This event is free. Due to the location of the project, this clean-up event is limited to participants 18 years of age and older. Volunteers of all ages are invited to join the birding and ranger-led hikes. To register, please visit Volunteer.gov and search for opportunities at First State National Historical Park.

We can’t wait to see you there!

NPS Photos

09/10/2026

There’s so mush-room at First State for cap-tivating fungi!

As you stroll through the Brandywine Valley, you may notice an abundance of mushrooms, especially after rain. Moisture triggers underground “roots” called mycelium networks to fruit. The fungus will rapidly push out mushrooms, like these golden oyster mushrooms.

Unlike many other fungus species, golden oyster mushrooms grow out of decaying wood. Fungus like this is vital to the health of the Brandywine Valley. By breaking down decomposing compounds, fungus makes it easier for plants to absorb vital nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.

Next time you see a mushroom in the park, don’t truffle with it. Instead, say thank you very mush and wish it a spore-tacular day!

NPS Photo

Address

10 Market Street
New Castle, DE
19720

Telephone

+13025446363

Website

http://www.nps.gov/frst

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