April 30, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 194

Media 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 Lantern Tours of Three Historic Churchyards in Dover

DOVER, Del. – The First State Heritage Park offers lantern tours of three of Dover’s historic churchyards on Friday evenings in May. Christ Church Cemetery is featured May 8, the Old Methodist Cemetery tour is May 15, and the Presbyterian Church of Dover’s churchyard will be toured on May 22.

Guides will lead visitors through the churchyards by lantern light where they will learn about the many prominent Delawareans and their families that are buried in them. The meanings hidden behind the carefully chosen and crafted funeral art that decorates the tombstones will be revealed, as well as what the art might tell about the people buried there.

The support and collaboration of the Presbyterian Church of Dover, Christ Episcopal Church and Wesley United Methodist Church have made these tours possible.

Admission to all cemetery lantern tours is $5, and all tours begin at 8 p.m. Tour space is limited, so those interested should call 302-739-9194 for reservations.

The tour of Christ Church cemetery begins on the grounds of Christ Episcopal Church, located at the corner of South State and Water Street. The Presbyterian and Methodist churchyard tours begin at Museum Square, 375 South New Street.

More information is available online at 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.