Milford chronicle., 1956-04-20
Old New Castle Day
Observation May 10Th

From the squat OfQ Dutcn house
with its curious 18th Century fur
nishings to the magnificcntly- CON
structed Read House on The Strapd
the 26 attractions OF this yeaI's
DAY IN Old New Castle. Satuf-
day, May 19, are bound to cayture
the fancy of all visitors to Deia-
wares former state and Colonial
capital.
Rich in history, romance and
legend, New Castle is know far
and wide as the most faithfully
preserved early American ccm-
munity in this part of the coun-
try. It's cobbied walks, its giant old
trees and its charming home, large
and small, make for an atmos
phere alien to this atomic age and
a welcome retreat from the busy
world.
Off the Delaware River side of
The Strand. lies a narrow passage
way known as Packet Alley. The
only evidence of it's past func
tion is a tablet erected at its en-
trance, recording that such no.
table figures as Stonewall Jackson,
Daniel Webster. Henry Clay, Sam
Houston. Louis Napoleon-yes, and
Davy Crockett himself passed
through this once bustlIng thor
oughfare enroute to Washington
In the days of packet boats.
Another relic of travel of bygone
days is the original ticket Office
of the now defunct New Castle &
Frenchtown Railroad. Built in 1882.
1t is the oldest known ticket Office
In America. The tiny structure was
resurrected in 1854 and replaced
in it's former spot with section OF
track and some of the original
stone sleepers.
The Old Dutch House. believed 10
be the oldest dwelling In Delaware. |
never fails to charm the newcomer
to New Castle. Restored i'm 1888
and completely and automatically /
furnished in the manner OF early |
Dutch settlers, 1t is now one of
the city's two museums. On "a
Day In Old New Castle" il Is oe-
cupied by residents in early Dutch |
Colonial costumes
The Amstel House, also mu-
scum, once entertained George |
Washington as a guest at famous
Delaware wedding. The main sec
tion of the house was built about |
1880 and the kitchen wing before
1900. In the beautiful old garden |
is a sundiai pedestal from Old
London Bridge.
Harmony House, the home of
a direct descendant of Lydia Dar-
ragh, the Revolutionary War her
oine who warned Washington OF
the British attack at Valley Forge,
exhibits personal belongings Of
this famous lady on "A Day in Old
New Castle"
The Read House, built in 1901
by George Read. signer of the
Declaration of Independence, for
his son, George Read III. is perhaps
the most impressive of New Castles
private homes. 1t is considered
perfect specimen OF Colonial arr
chitecture and is charTingly COM
pete with period furniture. It's
garden was laid out in 1887 by An
drew Jackson Downing, foremost
landscape gardner. of his day. -.
"A Day In Old New Castle" has
been sponsored since 1924 by I'M
manuel Episcopal Church on The
Green, itself one of the main at
fractions of the tour. 1t was built
In 1903. In its adjoining graveyard
lie the the remains of many Illus
trious Delawareans.
These are but few of thfAtreats
in store for visitors on "a Lay in
Old New Castle To seal the 18th
Century flavor, many OF the resi-
dents. including the children, don
Colonial costumes with the Dutch
and English influences prevailing.
New Castle traces Its origin to
the founding of Fort Casimir by
the Dutch on it's site in 1851. II
later was taken by the Swedes.
then recaptured by the Dutch and
named New Amstel In 1864. it was
captured in turn by the English
and the name changed to New Cas-
tie.
In 1852, land within a radius of
12 miles of New Castle was con-
veyed to William Penn bv James.
Duke of York 1t as here that Penn
first landed in America the same
year and on the site OF Emmanuel
Church was enacted the ceremony
in which Penn received the tokens
of his ownership of the land. Until
1776. New Castle was the Colonial
Capital of what is now Delaware
and It was the state capital from
1776 until May, 1777. when it was
transferred to Dover.
Visiting hours for the annual
historical observance are from 10
a. m. to p. m, Tickets may BE-
obtained on arrival at booths con-
veniently located about the town
EMERGENCY TREATMENT