Dover
KC-38: originally installed in 1940. County seat since 1680. William Penn in 1683 ordered Town site laid out and named Dover. Plotted in 1717. Temporary capital in 1777 and permanent capital since 1779. Federal Constitution ratified here in 1787, making Delaware first State in Union. State Constitutional Convention held here in 1791-1792, 1831, 1852, and […]
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KC-34: originally installed in 1940. County seat since 1680. William Penn in 1683 ordered Town site laid out and named Dover. Plotted in 1717. Temporary capital in 1777 and permanent capital since 1779. Federal Constitution ratified here in 1787, making Delaware first State in Union. State Constitutional Convention held here in 1791-1792, 1831, 1852, and […]
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KC-35: Originally Installed in 1966. County seat since 1680. William Penn in 1683 ordered Town site laid out and named Dover. Plotted in 1717. Temporary capitol in 1777 and permanent capitol since 1779. Federal Constitution ratified here in 1787, making Delaware first State in Union. State Constitutional Convention held here in 1791-1792, 1831, 1852, and […]
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RG# 6100 In 1683, William Penn first introduced the idea of a town to be called Dover as the court town for Kent County. However, it was not until 1717 that a plot was laid out for streets, squares, and lots. By 1722, a courthouse was built on the square (now known as The […]
Read MoreYearbooks at DPA
The Delaware Public Archives has a small collection of yearbooks researchers can use to learn about academic life through the 20th Century.
Read MoreOysters Everywhere!
Delaware Public Archives
Read MoreContact, Hours & Location
Mabel Lloyd Ridgely Reseach Room & First State Heritage Park Welcome Center
Read MoreThe Cold War’s Effect on Dover Air Force Base and its Surrounding Communities
Dover Air Force Base has been a cornerstone of Dover, Delaware for over 60 years. What is little understood is the impact the base has had on the communities that surround it. On Saturday, August 6, at 10:30 a.m. MSgt Eric Czerwinski, USAF, (Retired) will present a program at the Delaware Public Archives about Dover […]
Read MoreNew Collection of Survey Records Arrives at Archives
This past spring, a Dover family donated to the Delaware Public Archives a collection of Survey Records: rough surveys, plots, and calculations created by John C. Hopkins, a longtime surveyor in the area. Most of these materials focus on the Dover area. These materials, once processed, will become part of an already existing collection known […]
Read MoreDover Days
This Saturday will be the 77th annual Old Dover Days Festival. There will be the traditional Maypole dance, parade, house tours, and many other events. Did you know that Mabel Lloyd Ridgely was one of the founders of Dover Days? Did you know that the research room was named in honor of her? Mrs. Ridgely had […]
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