First State Heritage Park
First State Heritage Park is an urban "park without boundaries" linking historic and cultural sites in Dover, Delaware, the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777. The park is a partnership of state and city agencies under the leadership of Delaware State Parks. Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution.
Historic and cultural sites
The sites of the park highlight Delaware's role as the First State. They were organized as a state park in 2004 by Governor Ruth Ann Minner, as 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 First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, the Old State House, Delaware Legislative Hall, John Bell House, Delaware Public Archives, Johnson Victrola Museum, Delaware Governor's Mansion, and the Biggs Museum of American Art.
Welcome Center and Galleries
Located within the Delaware Public Archives building adjacent to Legislative Hall, the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center & Galleries serves as an entrance portal to Delaware's state capital and the historic city of Dover.The Old State House
The Old State House served as the state's first permanent capitol building from 1791 until 1932. It is located on Dover's historic green. The Old State House originally housed Delaware's state government and the government of Kent County. The Old Statehouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.The State House has undergone several expansions and renovations since it opened in 1791. It was originally built in a Georgian architecture 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.