Dover Landmarks and Monuments

(Dover, Delaware - DE, USA)

As Delaware's capital city, Dover is understandably home to a number of the state's most important and powerful buildings. Some of the city's landmarks are extremely historic and more than 250 years old, and others date from the 20th century.

The rather beautiful Delaware Legislative Hall serves as the state capitol and is where you will find the Delaware General Assembly's offices. Standing directly opposite the Old State House and built between the years 1931 to 1933, during the Great Depression, the hall boasts Colonial Revival style architecture.

A stroll around the Dover Green Historic District will reveal literally dozens of 18th- and 19th-century buildings, which radiate outwards from The Green and include the Eagle Tavern, the King Dougall House and the Kent County Court House, as well as the Old State House.

The Old State House is a real piece of history in Dover and dates from the late 1780s. This was the earliest permanent capitol building to be erected in Dover and when it was completed, it was called home by both the governments of Kent County and the state of Delaware. With elegant Georgian brick architecture and a small tower, the building was used by the state government right up until the 1930s and is now home to the Delaware State House Museum.

Delaware Legislative Hall / Delaware State Capitol Building

Address: Legislative Avenue, Dover, Delaware (DE), 19901, USA
Tel: +1 302 739 9194
The Delaware Legislative Hall features two prominent wings, which face forward and make the overall structure U-shaped. The three-tiered white-washed bell tower is a prominent element and topped by an ornate weathervane. The formal gardens are another important feature and give this landmark a feeling of stature. Guided tours of the hall are available throughout the year and are completely free of charge.
Open hours: Monday to Friday, June to September - 10:00 to 16:00, October to May - 10:00 to 13:00; first Saturday each month - 09:00 to 16:30
Admission: free

Bradford-Loockerman House

Address: 419 South State Street, Dover, Delaware (DE), 19901, USA
The Bradford-Loockerman House is especially historic, since it has its origins in the early years of the 1740s. Various additions have been made over the years, with the style of architecture being described as Medieval meets Georgian. A large landscaped garden at the rear of the property enjoys a southerly aspect, although there is no garden at the front and the house opens straight onto the sidewalk. In 1972, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Open hours: view from exterior only
Admission: free

John Bullen House

Address: 214 South State Street, Dover, Delaware (DE), 19904, USA
Residing within the very heart of Dover is the John Bullen House, which has a red-brick facade and ornate navy blue wooden shutters on each window. Building work commenced in the year 1775 and was finished in 1781. The 1950s saw the property purchased by the Farmers Bank of the State of Delaware, while in 1975, it joined the other landmarks on America's prestigious National Register of Historic Places.
Open hours: view from exterior only
Admission: free

Delaware Governor's Mansion

Address: Kings Highway, Dover, Delaware (DE), 19901, USA
Tel: +1 302 739 5656
Just a couple of blocks away from the campus of Wesley College, the Governor's Mansion also goes by the name of the Woodburn House and was constructed in 1790 by Charles Hillyard III. Governor Jacob Stout leased the property in the year 1820, although a few years later it was sold to a Quaker family, who immediately freed the estate's slaves. In the second decade of the 20th century, many modifications were made, including the addition of a front porch, pillars and a reflecting pool. The 1950s saw the Woodburn House owned by a local school, while in 1965, the state managed to purchase the house and it has been used as the official residence of the Delaware governor ever since. In 1972, the Governor's Mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Open hours: guided tours, Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 16:00 by appointment
Admission: free

John Dickinson House

Address: 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, Delaware (DE), 19901, USA
Tel: +1 302 739 3277
Known to locals as simply Poplar Hall and built between the years of 1739 and 1740, this historic landmark is open to the general public and resides on the southeastern side of Delaware's capital city, close to the Dover Air Force Base (AFB). The mansion features understated Georgian architecture and is sited within the spacious John Dickinson Plantation, which covers an area of more than 5,000 hectares / 12,350 acres. American lawyer, politician and revolutionary leader John Dickinson (1732 to 1808) grew up here and later became one of the USA's founding fathers.
Open hours: Wednesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 15:30
Admission: free

Greenwold

Address: 625 South State Street, Dover, Delaware (DE), 19901, USA
Often referred to as the Manlove Hayes House, Greenwold is a historic residence located on South State Street, being found just across from St. Jones River and the Capital Green. The house dates back to the early 1860s and in 1973 was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Many of the original features remain, including a lengthy verandah, a cross-gable roof and cornicing.
Open hours: view from exterior only
Admission: free

Christ Church

Address: South State Street / West Water Street, Dover, Delaware (DE), 19901, USA
Built as long ago as 1734, this red-brick Episcopal church resides on the corner of South State Street and West Water Street, within the Dover Green Historic District. The earliest plans for the town allocated this plot for a house of worship, for use by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. In the late 1850s and 1880s, much remodeling work was carried out, and in 1972, the church appeared on the National Register of Historic Places. The adjoining cemetery is worth a look and is where you will find the grave of renowned American politician Caesar Rodney (1728 to 1784), who is remembered for being the President of Delaware and also as one of those who signed the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776 (ratified soon after, on July 4th).
Open hours: daily - hours vary
Admission: free donations suggested

Eden Hill House

Address: West Water Street, Dover, Delaware (DE), 19901, USA
This historic house lies within the city center, where it dates back to the late 1740s and joined the National Register of Historic Places more than 200 years later, in the year 1973. The Eden Hill House was originally the house of affluent Nicholas Ridgely and his family. It was built in two adjoining sections, each of which features a gable roof. A bright white facade is accompanied by a grey slate roof and dark green shutters. This landmark continues to be a private residence and still remains in the Ridgely family. Interestingly, both the current descendent and Nicholas himself have worked for the Delaware Supreme Court.
Open hours: view from exterior only
Admission: free