The Amstel House, known as The First Grand Mansion of Delaware, regally sits at 2 East Fourth Street in the center of Downtown New Castle. Once owned by the town’s wealthiest landowner, Dr. John Finney, the Amstel House museum provides insight into historical architecture with its original woodwork and open hearth. The house 
boasts a unique five bay, gable-end facade. A large portion of the original structure remains form the early 1700′s.
The histories and stories of its 18th century occupants reflect the rich cultural life of the period. As home of the 7th Governor of Delaware, Nicholas Van Dyke, George Washington visited the home for a wedding in 1784. After Governor Van Dyke’s residency, his daughter Ann Van Dyke and her husband, lawyer Kensey Johns lived in the Amstel House until their home at 2 E. Third Street was built in 1790. Their daughter, Fidelia, born in 1785 in the Amstel House, married Governor Thomas Stockton. Today, examples of furniture from this family grace the exhibit rooms.
This elegant brick, early Georgian mansion was built int he 1730′s and is a true work of art with its fine architectural details and open hearth. Its early fanlight and central hallway were among the first uses of these features in town.
The spring of 2011 they will explore the beginnings of the United States with the exhibit “The Dawn of the New Nation at the Amstel House”. This exhibit looks into the lives of the Van Dyke and Johns families who lived in the house from 1774-1790.
Location: 2 East Fourth Street, New Castle DE
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10AM-4PM; Sunday 12PM-4PM
Phone: 302-322-2794
Email: nchistorical@aol.com
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