First State Heritage Park's John Bell House 43 The Green, Dover, DE 19901
About the Business
First State Heritage Park's John Bell House is a historic institution located at 43 The Green in Dover, Delaware, United States. This park and tourist attraction offers a unique experience for visitors to explore the lives and times of the people who lived in Dover across three centuries. The John Bell House is part of the First State National Historical Park and features interpreters dressed in 18th-century clothing, engaging in various trades and activities from that era.
Visitors can tour the grand Georgian-style building that has been home to Delaware's General Assembly since 1933, as well as the Old State House, Delaware's first permanent capital building. The park offers guided tours, thematic walking tours, craft workshops, and special events that highlight the history and governance of the First State.
The park is wheelchair accessible, with beach wheelchairs available for visitors to use at no charge. Lifeguards are available at guarded beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and Mobi-Mats are available at Cape Henlopen Main Beach area for persons using standard wheelchairs to access the beach.
With a variety of special programs and events happening throughout the year, including the 18th Century Market Fair in November, there is always something new to discover at First State Heritage Park. Visitors can also explore other nearby sites within walking distance, such as Legislative Hall, The Biggs Museum of American Art, and Delaware Public Archives.
Whether you want to step back in time or relax in the historic surroundings, First State Heritage Park offers a unique and educational experience for all visitors.
Photos
Hours open
Monday:
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday:
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday:
Closed
Reviews
"We visited on a weekday morning. We greatly enjoyed a 1-hour walking tour around the Dover green with enthusiastic, knowledgeable costumed guides. We left with a new appreciation for the contributions of Delaware colonial patriots, especially Caesar Rodney. We also discovered that William Penn was a key player in early city planning for Dover. He even picked the location of the town square. An excavation of the colonial privy behind the Bell house was just completed. There are pottery and other finds from the dig on display. Admission to the house and the tour are free, but donations are appreciated."
"I went here to learn some history on Delaware. In the center is a green park like area where I approached a Ranger for information on guided tours. He was helpful giving me maps on many other parks to explore in the near future. He explained this area I was in and pointed me to where I could locate more information on guided tours of this location. I ended up doing two tours one following the other, all for a donation. The guides were both AMAZING people and I really felt like they enjoy their job and have so much fun talking with you about the history. The tours were definitely worth it, highly recommended. I signed up for other guided tours in Delaware."
"I would like to come See this place when it's actually open"
"This is the place you go to for a free guided tour of the Dover historic district. The guides dress in 18th century (?) garb and they take you out on a 45 minute walking tour of the square. Our guide (I believe her name was Anne?) was amazing! The whole tour was very captivating and it was evident that our guide was very passionate about Delaware history. We went there on a Wednesday afternoon, and my wife and I were there only ones there. The whole tour is wheelchair accessible, although, you have to be careful at certain points due to uneven surfaces. On the whole, I would strongly recommend taking the tour. Learnt a lot about Delaware history in those 45 minutes."
"A great free walking tour about the history of the Green & Dover. The interpreter was wearing colonial clothing. The tour is less than a hour"
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