July 30, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 341

For more information, contact Elaine Brenchley or Nate Davidson, 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 Offers Free Themed Walking Tours on Saturdays in August

DOVER, Del. – The First State Heritage Park at Dover will offer the following themed walking tours free of charge on Saturdays in August:

Victorian Dover - 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2
Visitors may stroll among the beautiful homes and hear the stories of the men and women who would forever alter the course of Dover’s history during this age of prosperity, expansion and transformation. The tour of the Victorian Dover National Register Historic District covers a lot of ground, so walking shoes are recommended. This free tour begins at Rose Cottage, 102 S. State Street, Dover.

Revolutionary Dover – 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16
Guides will tell tales of Tories, Whigs, militia, and insurrection. Dover was a hotbed of revolutionary and loyalist activity during the struggle for American Independence. While suspicion was cast on some of its residents, others would achieve national acclaim for their actions during this trying time. This free tour begins at the Delaware Visitor Center located at 408 Federal Street, Dover.

Dover Divided – 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23
Revisit Dover’s Civil War history with this special tour focusing on the stories of the people and events that shaped the city during this time of turmoil. During this tour, participants will hear stories of Dover’s role in this great conflict including the city’s great leaders, how close Delaware came to joining the Confederacy, and the infamous Military Invasion of Delaware. This free tour begins at the Delaware Visitor Center located at 408 Federal Street, Dover.

A Walk through Time – 2 p.m., Saturdays Aug. 9 and 30
With more than 300 years of history, The Green has been the central and most vital location of commerce, politics and civic life in Dover, the site of markets and fairs, suffragists and abolitionists, soldiers and slaves, lawmakers and law breakers. This walk through time includes stories of the people and events that left their mark on Dover’s history. This free tour begins at the Delaware Visitor Center located at 408 Federal Street, Dover.

More information about First State Heritage Park programs is available by calling (302) 739-9194 or visiting www.destateparks.com/heritagepark. 

The First State Heritage Park at Dover 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 to create 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.