Citizens’ Hose Company No. 1, Inc.
KC-106: The history of Citizens’ Hose Company No. 1, Inc. began on January 6, 1886, when thirty residents of Smyrna voted to “go into permanent organization” to serve the firefighting needs of the community. Their charter was approved by the Delaware Legislature on January 19, 1886. The Smyrna Opera House was expanded to accommodate the […]
Rescue House Of Prayer Temple of Deliverance
KC-104: Originally Installed in 2007. Organized on December 9, 1877, the Felton Methodist Protestant Church originally held services for several years in the Knights of Pythias Hall. In 1880, a parcel of land on High Street was deeded to the church trustees by Job Butterworth and his wife Elizabeth for the purpose of constructing a […]
Thomas D. Clayton School
KC-103: Originally Installed on 2007. In 1919, a new era for education in Delaware was initiated when a statewide effort to replace old and outdated facilities was undertaken. In 1922, the new Smyrna Colored School opened its doors for African-Americans and other persons of color residing in Central Delaware. The school was attended by grades […]
School District No. 5
KC-102: Originally Installed in 2007. In 1829 the Delaware General Assembly enacted legislation resulting in the establishment of a public school system. The state was subdivided into local districts. One of these was School District #5, which was created to serve the needs of students in this area. In 1854 a two-story brick schoolhouse was […]
Christ Church
KC-101: Originally Installed in 2006. Christ Church Mispillion was the second parish in Delaware established by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. The Rev. Thomas Crawford first held services of the Church of England in lower Kent County in 1704. The previous church was located at Church Hill about […]
Site of Whatcoat Church
KC-100: In 1791 Daniel Lowber granted permission for “the society of people called Methodists” to erect a “meeting house” at this location. The site was formally conveyed to church trustees in 1796. Adjoining land was obtained in 1813 for use as a public burying ground. The church was named for Richard Whatcoat (1736-1806), a native […]
Cheney Clow’s Rebellion
During the American Revolution many Delawareans remained loyal to the British Crown. In 1778 a group of Loyalists under the leadership of local resident Cheney Clow constructed a fort near this location. Concerned that they would march on Dover, a detachment of Delaware militia commanded by Lt. Col. Charles Pope was sent to investigate. Arriving […]
Delaware Public Archives
KC-96: The first recorded attempt to establish a state archives in Delaware was in 1818, when Governor John Clark urged establishment of a place for public records to be “securely kept and preserved.” Nearly a century passed before action was undertaken. By the early 20th century the possible loss of Delaware’s rich documentary heritage had […]
Cow Marsh Primitive Baptist Church
Organized on July 18, 1781, the “Baptist Church at Mount Moriah,” also called Cow Marsh Baptist Church, was the fourth Primitive Baptist congregation formally constituted in Delaware. For many years members met in area homes. In 1793, Job Meredith conveyed two acres of land to Joseph Flood upon which a church was built the following […]
Kent County’s First Presbyterian Church
KC-94: Originally Installed in 2005. A Presbyterian Society, present in Kent from c1694, was organized and worshipped in a log church on this site from c1708 until 1791. The Presbytery of Philadelphia recognized its congregation in 1714. The present church was built in 1791 and served its congregation until 1924 when a new church was […]
