Elaine Brenchley, The First State Heritage Park at Dover, 302-739-9194 elaine.brenchley@state.de.us, or Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks, 302- 739-9175, Necia.Beck@state.de.us
First State Heritage Park Lantern Tours return July 22
DOVER (July 18, 2011) – With only candlelight as a guide, the First State Heritage Park’s historical interpreters lead the park’s popular lantern tours of The Green and the Presbyterian Cemetery when the tours return on two Friday evenings this July.
July 22 marks the only chance this summer that visitors will have to experience the lantern tour of the historic Presbyterian Cemetery. The lantern tour of The Green will be offered July 29 and again in August.
Admission to all lantern tours is $5 and tours begin at 8:30 p.m. Tour space is limited; reservations may be made by calling 302-739-9194. The full listing of summer events is available at www.destateparks.com/heritagepark.
Presbyterian Churchyard Cemetery
Friday, July 22
8:30 p.m.
Begins at the Johnson Victrola Museum Parking Lot – 375 S. New Street
Guided by lantern light, visitors will tour the Presbyterian Church of Dover’s historic cemetery, where many prominent Delawareans and their families are buried. The characters include Delaware’s Revolutionary War hero Colonel John Haslet, who died a hero’s death at the Battle of Princeton in 1777, and several 18th-century widows with decided opinions. The churchyard tour is made possible through the support and collaboration of the Presbyterian Church of Dover.
Lantern Tour of the Dover Green
Friday, July 29
8:30 p.m.
Begins at the John Bell House on The Green
Historical interpreters from the First State Heritage Park dressed in colonial attire relate the stories of historic Dover. The Dover’s public square was the site of markets and fairs, suffragists and abolitionists, soldiers and slaves, lawmakers and law breakers. Visitors will hear tales of the most infamous resident of Dover’s jail, of devastating fires that threatened the town, of poisonings and tragic love.
The First State Heritage Park at Dover is Delaware’s first urban “park without boundaries” linking historic and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777. The park is a partnership of state agencies, under the leadership of Delaware State Parks, working in collaboration with city and county government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector.
Vol. 41, No. 270
