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Delaware really is the most
amazing state. It was the first of the original colonies
to join the Union and is the second smallest state, a
tiny jewel filled with history, mystery, quirky sites
and a plethora of outdoor activities. The state consists
of three counties, New Castle, Kent and Sussex, and is
so close to Philadelphia that your entire vacation can
require a single tank of gas.
www.visitdelaware.com The Lenape Indians occupied
the west bank of the Delaware River when the first
Europeans arrived in 1638 to found the first permanent
colony in the Delaware Valley. The ship, Kalmar Nyckel,
landed in what is now Wilmington. In 1640 the Fogel Grip
arrived with a slave from Angola named Anthony Swartz.
The Swedish and Dutch travelers purchased land from the
natives for the New Sweden settlement. William Penn was
deeded the lower Delaware counties in 1664 and the
colony fell under the control of England and Penn’s
Province of PA from 1682-1701. In 1776 Delaware voted
for independence from England and Pennsylvania.
Forty-miles south of
Wilmington stands the state capitol, Dover. Penn had it
chartered, surveyed and laid out in 1683 and four years
later a courthouse was erected there. In 1717 Dover was
founded and became the capitol in 1777. The Green is at
the center of the city today as it has always been. Many
important events occurred in the area known as First
State Heritage Park that includes The Green and the
Delaware Constitution Monument. There are 12 park sites
and free walking tours including “Tales of Slavery and
Freedom” are offered. The John Bell House, the oldest
wooden structure in Dover, houses the park’s
interpretive center.
www.destateparks.com/park/first-state-heritage
Thirty delegates met at the
nearby 1730s Golden Fleece Tavern on Dec. 7, 1787 to
ratify the Constitution and the site is still visible.
The tavern was female owned and served as a legislative
meeting place until 1791. The current Golden Fleece
Tavern features good food and a number of activities. In
1792 the Georgian-style Old State House, with an 18th-century
courthouse and chambers of the State Legislature, was
constructed. Fun
fact, a colonial jury was allowed no food, water or
bathroom breaks until they reached a verdict.
www.goldenfleecetavern.com The Green is also the site of the first mail murder, The Chocolate Candy Murder, in the United States. The plot involves a straying husband who wished to return to his wife and a mistress who didn’t agree. The California mistress sent the Dover wife a box of poisoned candy resulting in her death. The story went viral and the mistress went to San Quentin. Walking tours originate at the Delaware Store and cover approximately ¼-mile. There is a fee and reservations are strongly suggested.Www.delaware-store.com/walking-tours/walking-tour-chocolate-candy-murder
Eldridge Reeves Johnson, founder of the 1901 Victor Talking Machine Company and an innovator in the recording industry, was awarded a Grammy Award in 1985. His company once encompassed 10-blocks in Camden and recorded the greatest artists of the era. He retired in 1927 and sold his company for $155-million (more than $2-billion in 2018) to RCA in 1929. The two-level Johnson Victrola Museum interprets his life and career and displays artifacts, models and memorabilia. Photo ops with a giant Nipper the RCA dog are offered. www.history.delaware.gov/museums Before leaving downtown Dover you should stop in for a meal in an 18th-century restored mansion, the Grey Fox Grille & Public House. The floors and ceilings are original and the food is fresh and spectacular. www.greyfoxgrille.com
Georgian-style Belmont Hall
was built in 1773 by Thomas Collins. Collins invited the
Assembly to meet in Belmont Hall when it was no longer
safe to meet in the capitol in 1776. The mansion’s tower
was built for use by sentries. It is a now available for
event rental. www.belmonthall.org
The “Penman of the
Revolution”, John Dickinson’s ancestral home was a
3,000-acre plantation built in 1740. At one time he
owned as many as 37 slaves but in 1777, because of his
Quaker beliefs, he conditionally freed them and in 1786
freed them unconditionally. Tours of the complex include
the restored mansion, slave dwellings, displays and
stories of the enslaved. Tours are guided and begin with
an orientation video.
www.dickinsonmansion.org
Bombay Hook National Wildlife
Refuge consists of more than 15,000-acres of protected
tidal salt marsh. The location is the site of spring and
fall migrations and features a 12-mile wildlife drive, 5
walking trails and three 30-foot observation towers. The 2,500-acre Fifer Orchards
was established in 1919. In addition to seasonal
activities it offers the Farm and Country Store with
heritage and heirloom fruits and vegetables, specialty
foods, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, U-Pick
and free tours.
A real must is a visit to the Air Mobility Command Museum (AMC), the world’s sole museum dedicated to airlift and air refueling history. Hangar 1301 was once home to secret operations and now houses the museum. The complex has three sections, an indoor museum with planes that you can touch, and in some cases, climb aboard, an outdoor display with numerous aircraft including Air Force Two and a control tower you can ascend for a spectacular view. The simulator experiences, usually very pricey, and the museum are free. www.amc.org
AAA Four Diamond Dover Downs Hotel and Casino provides perfect accommodations. There are 10 dining and drinking options, entertainment and amenity filled deluxe rooms. One-hour Track tours are available and showcase the over the track bridge seats, Victory Lane and the 46-ft. tall Monster Monument on Victory Plaza. The monster holds aloft a full-sized stock car and his glowing eyes can be seen from the highway. Check the website for special packages. www.doverdowns.com
Delaware has something for everyone and everything is
unique and affordable.
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