The history of Delaware as a political entity dates back to the early colonization of North America by European-American settlers. It is made up of three counties established since 1638, before the time of William Penn. Each had its own settlement history. Their early inhabitants tended to identify more closely with the county than the colony or state. Large parts of southern and western Delaware were thought to have been in Maryland until 1767. All of the state has existed in the wide economic and political circle of Philadelphia.
History
New Castle Historic Court House
In 1681 Charles II, king of England, granted William Penn land in Pennsylvania including the “Lower Three Counties” on the west bank of the Delaware Bay. It wasn’t until 1682 that …
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Historic Old New Castle
Historic New Castle served as the colonial capital of Delaware until 1777 and provides valuable stories of our country’s earliest settlers and founding fathers. This is the location where William …
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George Read II House In New Castle
On the New Castle riverfront, in the heart of the old city, the twenty-two room, 14,000-square-foot National Historic Landmark Read House dominates the streetscape with a monumental simplicity and distinctive Philadelphia …
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Kej605 Delawares Tall Ship | Kalmar Nyckel
The Kalmar Nyckel offers a wide array of sailing opportunities from April through October. Guests are invited to haul lines, set sails, and enjoy tales of the original Kalmar Nyckel …
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First State National Historical Park
First State National Historical Park (NHP) is made up of seven sites spread throughout the entire state of Delaware. The park focuses on the story of first settlement through the …
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Battle of Cooch’s Bridge
On 3 September 1777, approximately 800 Americans forming the “Special Corps”: of Brigadier General William Maxwell engaged several thousand Hessian and Anspach “Jägers” (light infantry) and British light infantry in …
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Fort Delaware
Fort Delaware is a harbor defense facility, designed by chief engineer Joseph Gilbert Totten and located on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River. During the American Civil War, the …
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