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

First State National Historical Park

National Historical Park · Delaware, Pennsylvania

NPS Photo

📍 StateDelaware, Pennsylvania

🏛️ TypeNational Historical Park

🎟️ EntryFree

🏃 Activities15

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National Park Service unit in Delaware and Pennsylvania, United States

First State National Historical Park is a National Park Service unit which lies primarily in the state of Delaware but which extends partly into Pennsylvania in Chadds Ford. Initially created as First State National Monument by President Barack Obama under the Antiquities Act on March 25, 2013, the park was later redesignated as First State National Historical Park by Congress.

Wikipedia WikidataSource: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

About First State National Historical Park

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 Photos

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

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

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

Rolling agricultural hills on a bright sunny day.

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

Activities

Biking Mountain Biking Fishing Freshwater Fishing Fly Fishing Food Picnicking Hands-On Citizen Science Hiking Front-Country Hiking Horse Trekking Horseback Riding Living History Junior Ranger Program

Operating Hours

New Castle Court House Museum

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.

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Closed	Closed	10:00AM - 4:00PM	10:00AM - 4:00PM	10:00AM - 4:00PM	10:00AM - 4:00PM	1:30PM - 4:30PM

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.

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Closed	Closed	Closed	10:00AM - 3:00PM	10:00AM - 3:00PM	10:00AM - 3:00PM	Closed

Fort Christina

The park is open weekends until October 26, from 10:00am-4:00pm. Visits by appointment are available during closed hours throughout the fall, winter, and spring, pending staff availability. To schedule an appointment, call 302-429-7447 with any questions.

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Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed	10:00AM - 4:00PM	10:00AM - 4:00PM

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.

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Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset

The Dover Green

The Dover Green is open sunrise-sunset. The cancellation stamps are located at the Old State House. Guided walking tours are available starting at the John Bell House (43 The Green) Thursday - Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Guided walking tours are $6.50 per person (children 8 and under are free). Free guided walking tours are available on the first Saturday of every month. Free guided tours of Legislative Hall are available Thursday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

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Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset

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 Monday and Sunday. Hours are subject to change. For more information, call 302-739-3277.

mon	tue	wed	thu	fri	sat	sun
Closed	10:00AM - 4:00PM	10:00AM - 4:00PM	10:00AM - 4:00PM	10:00AM - 4:00PM	10:00AM - 4:00PM	Closed

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter First State National Historical Park?

First State National Historical Park is free to enter.

What are the best activities at First State National Historical Park?

Popular activities at First State National Historical Park include: Biking, Mountain Biking, Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Fly Fishing, Food, Picnicking, Hands-On.

What is the weather like at First State National Historical Park?

For details and information, visit, http://www.nps.gov/frst/index.htm.

How do I get to First State National Historical Park?

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.