NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Feb. 19, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 39
For more information contact 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
Historic preservation work on John Bell House set to begin
DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation has announced that historic preservation of the John Bell House on the Dover Green will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 23. The work is being done by Delaware State Parks, in partnership with the state Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs to maintain the historic integrity of the building. Once restored, the building will serve as an interpretive center for the First State Heritage Park.
The front section of the structure is the oldest surviving wooden (or frame) building in Dover, dating to the third quarter of the 18th century. The 20th century rear additions, including the middle section (dated 1930 to 1950) and the rear section (dated post-1960) will be removed to return the building to its 18th century footprint, which was approximately 16 by 25 feet. The roof will also be raised in order for the walls to be stabilized.
The John Bell House was on The Green when the U.S. Constitution was ratified at the Golden Fleece Tavern in 1787 and was also possibly already standing during the events of the Revolution. The Ridgely House is the only other surviving building that would have been on The Green at that time.
Originally owned by several generations of the John Bell family of tavern keepers until the 1830s, the Bell House itself was not a tavern. It is not certain what the building was originally used for, but architectural historians feel that it was likely a workshop. In the mid-19th century, the building served as the law offices of George Valentine Massey and of Nathaniel B. Smithers, both important figures in 19th century Dover.
Once the 20thcentury additions are removed, archaeologists will have an opportunity to investigate the south side of the building. Since those additions did not have basements, the ground beneath them has been relatively undisturbed and there is the possibility of recovering artifacts from the 19th century, and possibly earlier.
