Delaware Tourism

Legislative Hall - Dover, Delaware

 

Legislative Hall - Dover, Delaware

This Georgian Revival colonial structure was created of handmade brick and has an 18^th century style interior.  The building was expanded with the addition of a North and South wing during the period from 1965 – 1970 to give each legislator an office in addition to their desk in their chamber.

Legislative Hall was dedicated in 1933 when they moved from the State House. 

Two additional wings were added on to the east side of the building in 1994 to provide more office space for legislators and their staff as well as hearing caucus rooms.

There is a Hall of Governors’ with pictures of the governors beginning with Thomas McKean in 1777.  There are also Military Portraits of Legislative Hall and another of Political and Historical figures.

The Governor’s office is in the Capitol.

Cameras are allowed in the Capitol tour area but not in the Chambers when the Legislature is in session.  Visitors should turn off or disable their cell phones during the tour.

To set up a guided tour of the capitol complex contact the Tour Reservations Desk at 302-739-9194.

Tour Information and Hours:

Monday – Friday 9 – 3 on non-session days
Monday – Friday 9 – 12 on session days
The first Saturday of each month and holidays 9 – 5
Legislative Hall is closed on Thanksgiving day, New Years day and Christmas day.

Admission: FREE

Walk-in tours are welcome but are limited to staff availability.

Parking: Parking is available in the Delaware Public Achieves and Tatnall Building lots.

Visitors to the Capitol during session must use the north door.  Please leave all personal items in your vehicle due to security concerns.

Food: There is a cafeteria on the ground floor of the Legislative Hall which is open from 9 a.m. until late afternoon or until the legislative session adjourn.  Seating is very limited.  There are also vending machines available.  You can also bring something and picnic on the Capitol grounds.

Public telephones are located on the first floor of the Capitol.

Restroom: limited facilities are on the first floor.  Additional restroom facilities are available on the ground floor of Legislative Hall.

Woodburn, The Governor's House - Dover, Delaware

 

Woodburn, The Governor's House - Dover, Delaware

When you become the Governor of Delaware one of the privileges is the right to move into this beautiful, historic home which is the official residence of the Governor and their family.

Part of the charm of this home is the history of those that lived in it prior to the state purchasing it for the Governor’s estate.  There were Gentlemen farmers, landowners, an abolitionist, two US Senators, two doctors; a dentist, a judge and eight recent Delaware Governors have all been part of this history.

Built in 1798 by Charles Hillyard III, this home is one of the finest Middle Period Georgian houses in Delaware. Read more

Smyrna Museum - Smyrna, Delaware

 

Smyrna Museum - Smyrna, Delaware

This stately old building was originally built in the circa 1800.  Originally called the “Barracks”, it housed soldiers during the War of 1812.   The Civil War needed troops for the Union and this building was used as an enrollment center.  On August 1, 1893 the state’s first Civil War draft lottery drawing was held on the front porch of the “Barracks.”

The building exhibits several different style elements, such as a belt course (which reflects an early nineteenth century decorative treatment) and bracketed eaves (suggesting a late nineteenth century remodeling.) One of the original “Irishtown” worker’s dwellings is located behind the museum so when visiting the museum you can stroll around back and see this too. This building is a mid-1700’s Plank House. Read more

Air Mobility Command Museum - Dover, Delaware

 

Air Mobility Command Museum - Dover, Delaware

Visiting the museum will enable you to get up close to some of the planes that kept America safe.  There are military airlift and tanker aircraft such as the B-17G; C-5; C-123-K and many others for your pleasure.

There are artifacts and archival materials such as Blood Chit ca 1952 which is a silk China-Burma-India Theater blood chit, a Base Entry Tag ca 1954, a wool cap ca 1940’s that was knitted from a blanket by an airman while incarcerated in a German POW camp and many other things, including a Space Shuttle Tile.

Read the information on the “Hall of Heroes” which recounts the stories of many of America’s Medal of Honor recipients.  The exhibit has been praised as one of the finest Medal of Honor photo and memorabilia collections ever assembled. Read more

Museum of Small Town Life - Dover, Delaware

 

Museum of Small Town Life - Dover, Delaware

For those that have never lived in a small town or that currently live in a small town but wonder what life was like in the 19^th century this museum is a must see.  It is located in the former Presbyterian Church of Dover Sunday School and takes you through exhibits on the social life, commercial industry and shows you the consumer goods available at that time.

The displays are changed regularly to give a bigger view of those days.  You will be able to learn about a variety of small town businesses and services including a general store, print shop, pharmacy, and post office.

One of the displays available occasionally is the “Sealed in Glass, Stone and Tin” which showcases a wide array of 19^th and 20^th century Delaware made and used containers including medicine bottles, stoneware jars and jugs, and products from the canning industry. Read more

John Dickinson Plantation - Dover, Delaware

 

John Dickinson Plantation - Dover, Delaware

This home belonged to John Dickinson who was one of the founding fathers of the United States and “Penman of the Revolution.”  The brick home was constructed in 1740.  There are other buildings on the plantation too such as reconstructed farm buildings, an a log dwelling, surrounded by rich agricultural land.

There are plantation tours available.  The tours are led by character interpretation I which trained historic interpreters depict characters from John Dickinson’s era.  These tours are designed to show the contrast between the lives of the wealthy family and the tenants, poor whites, slaves, and the free blacks residing in Kent County during the 1700’s and early 1800’s. Read more

Delaware Archaeology Museum - Dover, Delaware

 

Delaware Archaeology Museum - Dover, Delaware

Take a trip back for 11,000 years of Delaware archaeological history at the museum.  There are artifacts from the last ice age in North America to the 20^th century.  There are Native American arrowheads, ceramics, and other stone and bone tools.  Then on to the glass and personal objects used in Delaware during the 17-20^th centuries.

Archaeology involves a great deal more than just digging in the dirt, it involves careful planning and the development of questions about the human past.  Archaeologists then set about answering these questions by examining places containing the remains of our past. Read more

Johnson Victrola Museum - Dover, Delaware

 

Johnson Victrola Museum - Dover, Delaware

Delaware is the home to Eldridge Reeves Johnson, the founder of the Victor Talking Machine Company in 1901.  There are exhibits including phonographs, recordings, memorabilia, trademarks, objects, and paintings that highlight Mr. Johnson’s successful businesses and also chronicle the development of the sound-recording industry.

Mr. Johnson developed the spring-driven gramophone motor (1896).  He used the slogan “His Master’s Voice” for his company with the dog listening intently to a gramophone.

The beginning of Mr. Johnson’s career was actually with Scholl & Johnson, Manufacturing Machinists.  Mr. Johnson purchased his partners share of the company to begin Victor Talking Machine Company. Read more

Old State House - Dover, Delaware

 

Old State House - Dover, Delaware

This building served as the capitol during the United States’ early years.  Completed in 1791 this historic building offers the opportunity to see the 18^th century style courtroom and the second floor houses the former chambers of the state’s legislature.

The Goergian style structure has undergone a number of structural and stylistic changes that have altered the original 18^th century appearance.  There have been a number of wings to the building to accommodate increasing governmental needs.  In 1976 the Old State House was restored to its original 18^th century appearance. Read more

Supreme Court of Delaware - Dover, Delaware

 

Supreme Court of Delaware - Dover, Delaware

This building was built between 1909 and 1912, separated from the Old State House which is next door in 1974.  The Supreme Court was established in the state of Delaware in 1951.

The Delaware State Courts are omitted to supporting and participating in programs designed to enhance the public’s understanding of the law and the legal system of the state.  These programs are designed for both adults and students.

You can visit the courts and learn more about the jurisdiction, judicial officers, history, governance and all things related to the Delaware laws. Read more

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