We have SOLD OUT on the lantern tour for this evening! If you would like to join us, please feel free to sign up for any of our other lantern tours on Friday nights in May.

Join us on Fridays in May at 8 p.m. for lantern tours in Dover! We have exciting tours of local cemeteries and one of The Green. We will be visiting the Presyberian Cemetery on May 25. $5 per person. Call (302)739-9194 now to reserve your lantern! or check out the website for more information

It is that time of year again! Held annually since 1933, Dover Days celebrates the Capital of the First State throughout the weekend of May 4-6. Visit visitdover.com for more information. In conjunction with Dover Days, the First State Heritage Park offers the following special programs on Saturday, May 5: Guided Tours of Legislative Hall, Woodburn, Delaware Public Archives and The Green, as well as Programs at the Johnson Victrola Museum, the Old State House, the John Bell House, the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries and Steam Car Rides on The Green! Join in on the fun!

Starting May 1st Killens Pond State Park Water Park are accepting reservations for birthday parties or special occasions. For more information call 302-284-4526.

The opening day of Trout Fishing is Saturday, April 7, 2012.

The entrance fee season is in effect March 1 - November 30. Annual passes are available at the Park Office - Monday - Friday - 9am - 4pm or the Carpenter Recreation Area Fee Booth when Fee Collector is on duty. Annual passes are also available online - www.destateparks.com.

This Saturday we will revisit the story of an important Dover family, in conjunction with the current exhibition at the Biggs Museum of American Art: “Jewels of the Generations: The Legacy of Loockerman and Bradford Family of Dover.” First Saturday events include: “Unlocking Loockerman” at the John Bell House on The Green from 9 -4:30; “A Unique Perspective: A Look Into the Private Lives of the Loockermans" at the Biggs Museum of American Art at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; "The 1940 Census" lecture at the Delaware Public Archives at 10:30 a.m.; "All That is Dutch: Discovering the Dutch Roots in Delaware Archaeology" at the Old State House at 1 p.m.; walking tours throughout the day focusing on Dover’s Revolutionary War heroes. More First Saturday activities include tours of The Old State House and Legislative Hall and tours of the Governor’s residence at Woodburn and Hall House, and exhibits at the Johnson Victrola Museum, the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, and the Biggs Museum of American Art. Visit destateparks.com for more information

Fort Delaware is open Saturdays only until Memorial Day weekend. We are also open May 26, 27, 28, June 2, 3, 9, and 10. As of Wednesday June 13, it will be open Wednesdays through Sundays and holidays, through Labor Day.

We have many job opportunities available! Please see the employment link at the bottom of the page for more information or call the park office at 302-577-3534.

Fort Delaware opens to the public on Saturday May 5, and is open Saturdays until Memorial Day weekend. It then opens for weekends and holidays (including Memorial Day). As of Wednesday June 13, it will be open Wednesdays through Sundays and holidays, through Labor Day.

In honor of President's Day, the following First State Heritage Park sites will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for tours and exhibits: Legislative Hall, Biggs Museum, The Old State House, John Bell House, Delaware Public Archives, Johnson Victrola Museum (by group reservation) and First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries. Walking tours leave 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the John Bell House.

Saturday, February 11 from 1 to 2:30 pm - For all ages. Have you been bit by the love bug? (The animal love bug that is!) Join us for this sweet, heart-warming event in the zoo visiting your favorite zoo animals! Event takes place in the zoo so dress for the weather. Pre-Registration required by February 9th. Fee: $3.00 per person/FREE for Delaware Zoological Society Members (to show you how much we love our members!)

Thursday, February 9 from 10am to 10:30am. (All ages, especially the young.) Join us as we read "My Heart is like a Zoo" by Michael Hall. Dress for the weather! Meet in the Education Building. Program may be cancelled due to inclement weather conditions, call 302-571-7850 ext. 208. Pre-registrations suggested for all. Fee: $2.00 per child/FREE for Delaware Zoological Society Members.

Saturday, February 4 from 1:30 to 3pm. College students, ages 18 and up. The Brandywine Zoo's Education Department is looking for committed college students interested in a career in a zoo-related field to fill a select number of internship positions this spring and/or summer. The Zoo's unique internship program offers college students a chance to work in the zoo's education department assisting with school programs, public programs and camps as well as leading informal programs for the public, special event planning, program writing, and program evaluation. This Open House is designed for college students to meet zoo educators, discuss intern projects, and ask questions. The Open House will take place in the Education Building (located next to the exotic house.) All college students are welcome to attend. To register, send email to DNREC_Parks_ZooPrograms@state.de.us (Include name, email address and telephone number.) For additional information, please visit our website at www.brandywinezoo.org under volunteer opportunities.

Saturday, February 4 from 1:30 to 3pm. For High School Students, ages 14-18. The Brandywine Zoo's Education Department is looking for committed teens to fill a select number of internship positions for summer 2012. The Zoo's unique internship program offers teens a chance to work in the zoo assisting with summer camps and/or leading informal programs for the public. After successfully completing the application/interview process, all selected interns must attend the the mandatory training session on Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 9am to 4pm (NO EXCEPTIONS!) Zoo staff will be on hand to answer questions and to show off the wonder that is the Brandywine Zoo! The Open House will meet in the Education Building. All high school students are welcome to attend. Registration not required.

It is not too early to start planning for the First Saturday at First State Heritage Park. This month's focus is African-American History in Delaware. Join us to several vignettes, a walking tour about Slavery and Freedom, a "jam session" about genealogical research and so much more! Check out our program guide at http://www.destateparks.com/downloads/programs/fshp.winter.11-12.3.pdf. See you there!

Saturday, February 4 - The early bird gets the worm, so be one of the first to sign up for our popular zoo camps! Register for holiday, spring and summer camps and receive a $5-$10 discount. Enjoy live animal presentations, a make-and-take zoo camp craft, and a warm snack to make you wish for summer! Open House takes place in the Education Building, located next to the Exotic House. Discount information listed on our website. Fee: FREE!

Join us for our public opening day on Saturday May 5th. School field trips kick off on Monday, April 23, with outreach programs available throughout the winter as well.

What is the difference between a good tavern meal and a common one? Why does Madeira cost more than rum punch? Through lively conversation and stories, visitors to the John Bell House this Saturday will learn all this and more when they meet Constance Green, an 18th-century tavern cook and keeper, portrayed by living history professional Kimberly Costa. The Food for Thought theme continues with special food focused tours of the Civil War exhibit at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries and a discussion of the politics of food at The Old State House. All admission to park sites is free, and free parking is available. For more information, please visit the First State Heritage Park on facebook!

It's not too late to sign-up for summer camp! There is still availability in most of the camps.