Vol. 40, No. 341

For more information contact Elaine Brenchley, First State Heritage Park, 302-739-9194 elaine.brenchley@state.de.us, or Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9175, Necia.Beck@state.de.us 

Venture into “Dark Dover” with First State Heritage Park

DOVER (Oct. 5, 2010) – By day, the Dover Green is a place of business, civil life, law and order. But when the sun dips below the horizon, darkness has free reign. It is then that the spirits come to life to tell their tales to the living.

With the return of the First State Heritage Park’s popular “Dark Dover” program, visitors can witness firsthand the chilling true stories of gruesome murders, and encounter spirits whose legends have left their sinister imprint on The Green. Samuel Chew and Cooch Turner are just two of the specters that will make an appearance on this most unusual tour through the Dover Green. Several new twists added this year include an unexpected retelling of the Poison Candy Murder tale from the point of view of the victim’s deceitful and philandering husband.

Visitors will find out what lurks in the shadows when they join the First State Heritage Park by moonlight on Friday, Oct. 22 and Saturday, Oct. 23. The 45-minute program begins at 7 p.m. and again at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $10 per person. Pre-registration is required, and spaces are very limited. Reservations may be made by calling 302-739-9194. The tours will begin in front of the Biggs Museum, 406 Federal Street, Dover.

This program is not recommended for children under 10.

The First State Heritage Park at Dover is a partnership of state agencies, under the leadership of Delaware State Parks, working in collaboration with local 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. 

More information is available from the First State Heritage Park at 302-739-9194 or www.destateparks.com/heritagepark