first-state | DE | Find park

Red, yellow, and green leaves lay on the grass in front of a colonial building.

Each fall, an 18th Century Market Fair is recreated to commemorate the original purpose of The Green.

A view of the front of the John Dickinson House on the Plantation.

John Dickinson is most famously known as the "Penman of the Revolution" at this site, visitors learn the stories of the many residents: tenant farmers, indentured servants, free and enslaved Black men, women, and children and the Dickinson family.

A brick bath leads to a door of an old church surrounded by vegetation.

Old Swedes Historic Site contains burials that can be traced back to the original settlement of the Swedes.

Pews line the side of the room leading to the English style court room.

The New Castle Court House Museum was the first court of Delaware and has seen a variety of significant moments in history.

Rolling agricultural hills on a bright sunny day.

The Brandywine Valley unit is most known for its recreational opportunities.

A replica of the original Kalmar Nyckel ship sails by the monument at Fort Christina.

This site commernmates the Swedes original landing and the fort that once stood in the area.

Physical Address:

First State National Historical Park

New Castle, DE 19720

Mailing Address:

First State National Historical Park

New Castle, DE 19720

contact-details

Phone Number: 302-317-3854 Voice

Email Address: firststate@nps.gov
Description: We appreciate your patience as we are receiving an increase in inquiries and will respond as quickly as we can.

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a distinct character that tolerated diversity in religion and national origin and valued independence.

park designation:National Historical Park

Directions:

First State National Historical Park is made up of six individual sites throughout Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania that explore early settlement through the ratification of the US Constitution. Please visit the individual pages for directions or hours of operation.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Welcome Center

10 Market Street, New Castle DE 19720 The park's welcome center is a great place to start your trip to understand how six individual sites can make up one National Park Unit. Inside the Welcome Center is a small theater, exhibits, and either a volunteer or Park Ranger who can answer any questions you may have.

Exceptions:

Closed Thanksgiving Day (November 28, 2024 - November 28, 2024)

Closed Christmas Day (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

Closed New Year's Day (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

New Castle Court House Museum

211 Delaware Street, New Castle DE 19720 The New Castle Court House Museum is open Monday 10:00AM to 4:00 PM, Wednesday - Saturday 10:00AM to 4:00PM, and Sunday 1:30PM to 4:30PM with tours being offered every hour. Please be aware that during tours the New Castle Court House Museum does lock their doors, they re-open the doors at the next available tour time. The New Castle Court House Museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Exceptions:

Closed Thanksgiving Day (November 28, 2024 - November 28, 2024)

Closed December 24th (December 24, 2024 - December 24, 2024)

Closed Christmas Day (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

Closed Christmas Day (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

Closed December 25th (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

Closed New Year's Day (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 20, 2025 - January 20, 2025)

Closed Independence Day (July 4, 2025 - July 4, 2025)

Old Swedes Historic Site

Old Swedes Historic Site is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10:00am to 3:00pm with the last tour starting at 2:00pm. Tours are available by reservation and have a small fee: Adult $12, Student (6-15) $7, under 6 free and members free. Self-Guided Cemetery Tour, $5. Old Swedes Historic Site is a partner organization to the National Park Service and does not receive NPS funds. As such, they cannot honor National Parks Annual Passes. You can book your tour by visiting their website.

Exceptions:

Closed Thanksgiving Day (November 28, 2024 - November 28, 2024)

Closed December 24th (December 24, 2024 - December 24, 2024)

Closed December 25th (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

Closed New Year's Day (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Closed Independence Day (July 4, 2025 - July 4, 2025)

Fort Christina

*During the Summer* Fort Christina is open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm; with special hours on the following holidays: Memorial Day (Monday, May 26, 10:00am-4:00pm), Juneteenth (Wednesday, June 19, 10:00am-4:00pm), Independance Day (Friday, July 4th 10:00am-4:00pm), Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 1, 10:00am-4:00pm). Visits by appointment are available during closed hours throughout the fall, winter, and spring, pending staff availability. Please call with any question at 302-429-7447

Exceptions:

Closed Veterans Day (November 11, 2025 - November 11, 2025)

Closed Thanksgiving Day (November 28, 2024 - November 28, 2024)

Closed Christmas Day (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

Closed New Year's Day (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Closed MLK (January 1, 2025 - January 20, 2025)

Closed Washington's Birthday (February 17, 2025 - February 17, 2025)

Memorial Day (May 29, 2025 - May 29, 2025)

Juneteenth (June 19, 2025 - June 19, 2025)

Independence Day (July 4, 2025 - July 4, 2025)

Labor Day (September 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025)

Closed Columbus Day (October 13, 2025 - October 13, 2025)

Brandywine Valley

The Brandywine Valley is open sunrise to sunset and is free to access. *From Memorial Day to Labor Day, on weekends and holidays, the Smith Bridge Parking Lot is converted to loading/unloading and accessible parking. A larger field lot on the corner of Brandywine Creek Rd. and Ramsey Rd. is open during this time to accommodate visitor parking.

The Dover Green

The Dover Green is open sunrise to sunset. The cancellation stamps are located at the Old State House. Free guided walking tours are available starting at the John Bell House (43 The Green) Thursday - Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Free guided tours of Legislative Hall are available Thursday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. *The John Bell House and Legislative Hall will be CLOSED 11/28 & 11/29 for the Thanksgiving holiday. *The John Bell House and Legislative Hall will be CLOSED 12/25 for Christmas.

John Dickinson Plantation

Tuesdays: OUTDOOR VISITATION ONLY. Grounds open 10:00am - 4:00pm Wednesdays: Visitor center and grounds open 10:00am - 4:00pm Thursdays through Saturdays: Visitor center and grounds open 10:00am - 4:00pm. Guided tours of the mansion at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. Hours are subject to change. For more information, call 302-739-3277.