Milford chronicle., 1960-04-22
State Plans For
Historic ObserUances
CONTINUED from page one)


of the signers of the Constitution
of the United States, or that were
contemporary to his times.
A perennial favorite among Do
yer Day visitors is the Ridgely
House on historic Dover Green,
built in 1928 and occupied by mem
bers of the Ridgely family since
1867. It's present occupant, Mrs.
Henry Ridgely, is a member of the
Public Archives Commission and
a leader of The Friends of Old De-
yer, sponsors of the annual two
day celebration.
The Ridgely House contains a
LOwestoft porcelain tea set, given
to Mary Vining Caesar Rodney's
niece) by General Mad" Anthony
Wayne, Revolutionary War hero,
to whom she was betrothed. Also
to be seen there is a set of tables
which belonged to Commodore Ja-
cob Jones of the War of 1872. The
house is furnished throughout
with rare antiques and much origi-
nal paneling and flooring remains.
Included among other places of
interest which will be on public
view during the two days are: The
old State House (1722) second old
est in the United States; Dover's
first post Office, typical of early
18th century clapbOard dwellings;
Christ Episcopal Church (173D and
churchyard; the present capital
building, Legislative Hall; the
Hall of Records, which contains
such outstanding documents as
William Penn's order to lay out
Dover Green in 1888; "Great Ge-
neva" and "Aspendale'', both un-
usual examples of early Kent
County farm homes; and the three
buildings of the Delaware State
Museum, one of which houses what
is believed to be the oldest log
cabin in the United States.
Governor and Mrs. j. Caleb BOggs
are expected to preside over a
reception in the executive offices,
Legislative Hall, from 2 to p. m.
on Saturday, May Z, and the Mayor
and Council will welcome visitors
at a public reception in the Old
State House at 2 p. m. on Sunday,
May s.
Homes, gardens and public build
ings will be open from II a. m. to
5 p. m. on May and from / p. m.
to p. m. on May 8.
Folk dances will be performed on
The Dover Green at IL a. m. and
p. m, May z and at p. m. May
8. There will also be dancing in
the Ridgely Garden at IL noon on
May Z. At p. M, May Z, May Day
exercises, including the Growing
of May Queen, will take place on
the campus of Wesley College. Spe-
cial IL a. m. Old Dover Days SER
vices will be offered in many
churches of the area on May s.
New Castle, widely known as one
of the most authentic and COM
plete centers of early Americana
concentrated in one small area, is
preparing again to welcome hun
dreds of visitors to it's old homes,
buildings and landmarks at the an
nual observance of "a Day mold
New Castle" on Saturday, May 21.
Sponsored annually sby Immanu-
el Episcopal Church-on-the-G Green,
built in 1903, the 18th Century
theme of the occasion is carried
out by the Colonial cOstuming of
the townspeople who welcome Wis
itors to the nearly three dozen
homes, churches, museums and
public buildings open on "A Day
in Old New Castle.
Former colonial and state capi-
tai of Delaware, New Castle traces
it's founding to the building of Fort
Casimir by the Dutch in 1851 on
this site. 1t later fell into the hands
of the Swedes; was subsequently
retaken by the Dutch; and then
was finally captured by the British
who gave it it's present name.
1t was on the site of Emmanuel
Church in 1883 that William Penn
received the token of his owner
ship of land within a radius of IL
miles of New Castle, which had
been conveyed to him by James,
Duke of York, year earlier.
With Emmanuel Church and its
equally historic church yard as the
focal point of the tour, visitors
are free to amble through the
towns narrow streets, many still
cobbled, and to leisurely view the
many features of the days pro-
gram. Visiting hours are from 10
a. m. to p. m. in public places,
while home owners open their
doors to guests from IL a. m. to
5 p. m.
A favorite spot among regular pa
irons of "A Day in Old New Castle
-as we'll as visitors at other times
lis the Old Dutch House, of late
18th Century vintage, which is now
museum. Completely furnished
after the fashion of it's early Dutch
occupants, it's many quaint items
fascinate the visitor.
The Amstel House, also muse
um, is another highlight of the tour.
Here George Washington was a
guest at a famous Delaware we'd
ding where he is said to have kiss
ed all the pretty girls" In the
garden is an ancient sundial ped
estal said to be from Old London
Bridge.
In Harmony House, a private
residence, personal belongings of
Lydia Darragh, Revolutionary War
heroine, are on view. Mrs. Dar-
ragh is credited by some histor-
ians with having warned General
Washington of surprise British
attack upon Valley Forge.
Other treats include the original
New Castle and Frenchtown Rail-
road ticket Office, built in 1882 and
believed to be the oldest existing
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