With multiple sites spread throughout the state of Delaware and a few hundred acres in Pennsylvania, First State National Historical Park (NHP) has much to offer history buffs, and nature enthusiasts alike! Most of our sites are managed and interpreted by our partners, so please make sure you check the" Operating Hours & Seasons" page prior to visiting. Each of our sites has specific seasonal events that are found on our calendar!
The park's six sites are listed below from North to South in the state:
Wilmington:
Brandywine Valley: This area is located at: 39.833690 - 75.574920
Old Swedes Historic Site: 606 N. Church Street, Wilmington DE, 19801
Fort Christina: 1110 East 7th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
New Castle:
The Sheriff's House Welcome Center: 10 Market Street, New Castle DE 19720
The New Castle Court House Museum: 211 Delaware Street, New Castle, DE 19720
Dover:
The Dover Green: 25 The Green, Dover DE 19901
The John Dickinson Plantation: 340 Kits Hummock Road, Dover DE 19901
The park's headquarters and Welcome Center is located at:
First State National Historical Park
10 Market Street
New Castle, DE 19720
Standard operating hours are included below, however, those hours change seasonally at each of the seven sites. Please visit the "Operating Hours & Seasons" page for links to partner websites.
Park District - New Castle Court House Museum- Sunday:1:30 PM–4:30 PM
- Monday and Tuesday:Closed
- Wednesday-Saturday:10:00 AM–4:00 PM
211 Delaware Street, New Castle DE 19720
The New Castle Court House Museum is open 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. Closures & Seasonal ExceptionsClosed December 24thDecember 24–December 24 Holidays2025–2026 | New Year's Day | January 1, 2026 | Closed |
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| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | January 19, 2026 | Closed |
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| Independence Day | July 4, 2025 | Closed |
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| Thanksgiving Day | November 27, 2025 | Closed |
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| Christmas Day | December 25, 2025 | Closed |
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| Holiday | Date | Hours |
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Park District - Old Swedes Historic SiteClosed today - Sunday-Wednesday:Closed
- Thursday-Saturday:10:00 AM–3:00 PM
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. Closures & Seasonal ExceptionsClosed December 24thDecember 24–December 24 Holidays2025–2026 | New Year's Day | January 1, 2026 | Closed |
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| Independence Day | July 4, 2025 | Closed |
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| Thanksgiving Day | November 27, 2025 | Closed |
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| Christmas Day | December 25, 2025 | Closed |
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| Holiday | Date | Hours |
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Park District - Fort Christina Closed today - Sunday:Closed
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday-Saturday:Closed
*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 Closures & Seasonal ExceptionsHolidays2025–2026 | New Year's Day | January 1, 2026 | Closed |
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| Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | January 19, 2026 | Closed |
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| Washington's Birthday | February 16, 2026 | Closed |
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| Memorial Day | May 26, 2025 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM |
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| Juneteenth National Independence Day | June 19, 2025 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM |
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| Independence Day | July 4, 2025 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM |
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| Labor Day | September 1, 2025 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM |
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| Columbus Day | October 13, 2025 | Closed |
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| Veterans Day | November 11, 2025 | Closed |
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| Thanksgiving Day | November 27, 2025 | Closed |
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| Christmas Day | December 25, 2025 | Closed |
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| Holiday | Date | Hours |
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Park District - Brandywine ValleyThe 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. Park District - 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. Park District - John Dickinson Plantation- Sunday and Monday:Closed
- Tuesday-Saturday:10:00 AM–4:00 PM
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. Closures & Seasonal ExceptionsClosed December 24thDecember 24–December 24 Holidays2025–2026 | New Year's Day | January 1, 2026 | Closed |
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| Independence Day | July 4, 2025 | Closed |
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| Thanksgiving Day | November 27, 2025 | Closed |
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| Christmas Day | December 25, 2025 | Closed |
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| Holiday | Date | Hours |
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First State National Historical park is a FEE-FREE park, however some of our operating partners may charge a small fee for tours and special programs.
We do not carry any of the annual passes, currently the closest location to purchase a pass is:
In addition, please refer to this link for locations across the country to purchase interagency passes.
Entrance Fee-free This site is fee-free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required.
There are six sites throughout the state that collectively tell First State National Historical Park's story, and can be visited in any order. The Sheriff's House Welcome Center, located in Historic New Center, serves as the park's visitor center.
The Welcome Center is located in Historic New Castle inside the Sheriff’s House. The center will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Exhibits in the center share nationally significant stories that shaped the nation’s first state through photos and audio-visual displays. Staff are also available to provide details about visiting partner sites throughout the state. Closed today - Sunday-Wednesday:Closed
- Thursday-Saturday:9:00 AM–4:30 PM
The building will be open Thursday through Saturday 9:00am to 4:30pm. Closures & Seasonal ExceptionsWinter HoursJanuary 5–March 5 Winter hours means that the Sheriff's House will be closed to the public from the first Sunday of January (01/05/25) to the first Thursday in March (03/06/25). Holidays2025–2026 | Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. | January 19, 2026 | Closed |
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| Washington's Birthday | February 16, 2026 | Closed |
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| Holiday | Date | Hours |
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Public WiFi is not available.
Visitors should not experience many cellular access interruptions at Fort Christina, the Old Swedes Historic Site, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Dover Green, or the John Dickinson Plantation. There may be some minor cellular interruptions while hiking the trails at Brandywine Valley.
Fees & Passes
Learn what sites are completely free and what sites may have a small-fee for special programs and tours.
Permits & Reservations
There are a variety of permits that you can apply for at First State National Historical Park. Please review the various types below and fol
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