Discover Dover: History and Culture

There are several themes to explore during a stay in Dover: Delaware’s political history, historic architecture, aviation, art and motorsports. If you’re looking for a hotel in Dover, these highlights can help you choose destinations based on your interests and plan your visits. The sites and attractions also differ in whether you need to observe set tour times or specific opening hours.

Political History and Tours

The Old State House was built in 1791 and served as Delaware’s capitol until 1933. Its rooms include an 18th-century-style courtroom and the former chambers of the state legislature. Open tours are offered Wednesday through Saturday at 10, 11, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Since tour times may change, check the schedule before your visit.

The State Capitol is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Guided tours are also offered; check opening hours and tour availability before your trip. This distinction can help you plan around the Capitol’s opening hours and the specifically listed tour times at the Old State House.

Historic Homes and Dover’s Green

The John Dickinson Plantation offers another way to explore history. It was John Dickinson’s childhood home; he lived there from the age of eight to 18. Guided mansion tours take place Thursday through Saturday at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. The stories shared include those of tenant farmers, indentured servants, and free and enslaved Black people associated with the plantation. The focus therefore extends beyond Dickinson’s biography to include the different groups whose lives were connected to the plantation.

The John Bell House offers a distinct architectural theme. Dating to the mid-18th century, it is considered the oldest wood-frame building in Dover. It is also an example of early architecture in the Chesapeake region and Delaware. The house serves as the First State Heritage Park’s interpretive center. In the park, visitors can walk through Dover’s Historic Green with historical interpreters dressed in 18th-century clothing and learn about the lives of people who lived there over three centuries.

The listed tour times at the Plantation and the Old State House differ in focus and schedule: both offer tours Thursday through Saturday, while the Old State House also offers tours on Wednesdays. The stated times can help you plan your visit around the historical topics you want to explore. Check for current tour times before your trip.

Aviation, Art and Motorsports

The Air Mobility Command Museum connects Dover’s history with aviation and military history. During World War II, Hangar 1301 at what was then Dover Army Airfield was used for secret missile development; it later became the museum’s home. Be sure to use the correct entrance: the museum is accessible only through its museum gate on Route 9, not through Dover Air Force Base.

The Biggs Museum of American Art arranges its collection along a timeline spanning 1700 to the present. This provides a chronological framework for viewing the American art on display. The Dover Motor Speedway offers a very different perspective on engineering: the concrete oval is one mile long, with turns banked at 24 degrees. For more than 50 years, the speedway has welcomed motorsports fans, concertgoers and visitors from across the country. While the Biggs Museum’s collection is organized chronologically, the speedway puts the track’s specific measurements in the spotlight.

Planning Your Stay

The First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries offers exhibits and detailed information about local and statewide attractions, events and activities. It can be a useful starting point if you want to explore more things to see in Dover or Delaware. When planning, it helps to keep the differences between attractions in mind: set tour times at historic homes, specified public opening hours at the State Capitol, and a collection at the Biggs Museum organized along a timeline. This way, you can shape your stay around the topics that interest you most.

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