Dec. 18, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 474

For more information contact Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9175, Necia.Beck@state.de.us

January First Saturday Events at First State Heritage Park highlighted by tours of the Old State House, Legislative Hall and the Governor’s House at Woodburn

On Saturday, Jan. 2, the First State Heritage Park presents its monthly “First Saturdays in the First State” event in Dover. Delaware’s capital city has two capitol buildings—the Old State House, which served as the seat of Delaware’s General Assembly from 1791 to 1933, and Legislative Hall, which has served this function since 1933. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of both capitol buildings from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and also visit the Governor’s House at Woodburn from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tours and exhibits are also available from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Biggs Museum of American Art and the Johnson Victrola Museum.

Admission to all sites and activities is free. Centrally-located free parking is available at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center, located at the Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street. For more information about The First State Heritage Park programs, call 302-739-9194 or visit: www.destateparks.com/heritagepark

“First Saturdays in the First State” activities on Saturday, Jan. 2:

Guided Tours of Legislative Hall-Delaware’s Capitol
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Legislative Hall has been the seat of Delaware’s General Assembly, the supreme lawmaking body in the state, since 1933.  Tours of the House and Senate Chambers teach participants about the legislature and Delaware history. Photo ID is required for all adults entering the building.

Old State House - on The Green
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Guided tours and exhibits of the recently restored old capitol building are offered throughout the day.  At 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m., Constitutional Convention delegate Gunning Bedford, Jr. and Revolutionary War hero Colonel Allen McLane offer a 15-20 minute presentation followed by a question and answer session with these historical characters. Throughout the day, visitors may talk with Bedford and McLane and learn more about their lives.

No Bones About It… Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New Street
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Visitors are invited to celebrate the Johnson Victrola Museum’s newest acquisition of Nipper collectibles, and hear the story of how this once stray dog became one of America’s oldest trademarks. A make-and-take craft activity will be available for children from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tours of the Governor’s House at Woodburn - 151 Kings Highway
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Enjoy guided tours of Woodburn, the official residence of Delaware’s Governor since 1965, as well as Hall House, the Governor’s guest house. 

Dover’s Heroes of the Revolution Walking Tour - begins at Christ Church, at the corner of South State and Water Streets
2 p.m.
From the monuments of Christ Church to those of the Old Presbyterian Churchyard, participants will visit the graves of Dover’s Revolutionary War heroes and see the sites where they once lived on The Green. Some of these characters along will tell their stories along the way.

Biggs Kids – Melty the Snowman - Biggs Museum, 406 Federal Street
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
These snowmen have spent a little too much time in the sun and have started to melt.  Kids will try to save them!   

Self-Guided Audio Walking Tours
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Free audio wands are available at the First State Heritage Park Visitor Center, located at the Delaware Public Archives, 121 Duke of York Street.

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.