first-state | PA | 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:

New Castle Court House Museum

The New Castle Court House Museum is open Wednesday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Sunday 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tours are available at 10:00 a.m., 11:00a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. During tours, visitors are welcome to check out the waiting area to pick up information, ask questions, or get their passport stamped. The New Castle Court House Museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Exceptions:

Christmas Day (December 25, 2026 - December 25, 2026)

Memorial Day (May 29, 2027 - May 29, 2027)

Memorial Day Holiday Closure (May 29, 2027 - May 29, 2027)

Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19, 2026 - June 19, 2026)

Independence Day (July 4, 2026 - July 4, 2026)

Independence Day Holiday Closure (July 4, 2026 - July 4, 2026)

Closed Independence Day (July 4, 2026 - July 4, 2026)

Labor Day (September 7, 2026 - September 7, 2026)

Labor Day Holiday Closure (September 7, 2026 - September 7, 2026)

Labor Day to Fall Time Change (September 7, 2026 - November 2, 2026)

Columbus Day (October 12, 2026 - October 12, 2026)

Columbus Day Holiday Closure (October 12, 2026 - October 12, 2026)

Fall Time Change - Spring Time Change (November 2, 2026 - March 8, 2027)

Veterans Day Holiday Closure (November 11, 2026 - November 11, 2026)

Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026 - November 26, 2026)

Thanksgiving Holiday Closure (November 26, 2026 - November 26, 2026)

Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 2026 - November 26, 2026)

Closed Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 2026 - November 26, 2026)

Closed December 24th (December 24, 2026 - December 24, 2026)

Christmas Day (December 25, 2026 - December 25, 2026)

Christmas Holiday Closure (December 25, 2026 - December 25, 2026)

Closed Christmas Day (December 25, 2026 - December 25, 2026)

Closed Christmas Day (December 25, 2026 - December 25, 2026)

Closed December 25th (December 25, 2026 - December 25, 2026)

Closed New Year's Day (January 1, 2027 - January 1, 2027)

New Year's Day Holiday Closure (January 1, 2027 - January 1, 2027)

New Year's Day (January 1, 2027 - January 1, 2027)

New Year's Day (January 1, 2027 - January 1, 2027)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Closure (January 18, 2027 - January 18, 2027)

Closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 18, 2027 - January 18, 2027)

Washington's Birthday Holiday Closure (February 15, 2027 - February 15, 2027)

Memorial Day to Labor Day (May 31, 2026 - September 7, 2026)

Old Swedes Historic Site

Old Swedes Historic Site is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10:00am to 3:00pm. 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 January-February (January 1, 2027 - March 5, 2027)

Closed Independence Day (July 4, 2026 - July 4, 2026)

Closed Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 2026 - November 26, 2026)

Closed December 24th (December 24, 2026 - December 24, 2026)

Closed December 25th (December 25, 2026 - December 25, 2026)

Closed New Year's Day (January 1, 2027 - January 1, 2027)

Fort Christina

The park is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The last guided tour begins at 3:00 p.m. After Labor Day, the park is open on Saturdays and Sundays through October, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visits by appointment are available during closed hours throughout the fall, winter, and spring, depending on staff availability. To schedule an appointment or ask questions, please call 302-429-7447.

Exceptions:

Juneteenth (June 19, 2026 - June 19, 2026)

Independence Day (July 4, 2026 - July 4, 2026)

Labor Day (September 7, 2026 - September 7, 2026)

Closed Columbus Day (October 12, 2026 - October 12, 2026)

Closed Veterans Day (November 11, 2026 - November 11, 2026)

Closed Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 2026 - November 26, 2026)

Closed Christmas Day (December 25, 2026 - December 25, 2026)

Closed New Year's Day (January 1, 2027 - January 1, 2027)

Closed MLK (January 1, 2027 - January 18, 2027)

Closed Washington's Birthday (February 15, 2027 - February 15, 2027)

Memorial Day (May 29, 2027 - May 29, 2027)

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,a larger field lot on the corner of Brandywine Creek Rd. and Ramsey Rd. is open to accommodate visitor parking.

The Dover Green

The Dover Green is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Cancellation stamps are available at the Old State House. Guided walking tours begin at the John Bell House (43 The Green) Thursday through Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Tours are $6.50 per person, and children ages 8 and under may join for free. On the first Saturday of every month, guided walking tours are offered at no cost.

John Dickinson Plantation

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