Carper celebrates NPS centennial with visit to Lewes

For more than a decade, Delaware’s Sen. Tom Carper was on a mission to bring a national park to Delaware.

In 2013, President Barack Obama, in a proclamation, created the First State National Monument. In 2015, 99 years after the creation of the National Park Service, Carper got his wish when the monument was redesignated as the First State National Historical Park. Prior to the designation, Delaware was the only state without a national park.

The First State National Historical Park groups together some of Delaware’s rich historical locations: the Ryves Holt House in Lewes, the oldest standing house in Delaware, built in 1665; New Castle Court House and Sheriff’s House, New Castle Green, Beaver Valley, Dover Green, Fort Christiana, Old Swedes Church and John Dickinson Plantation.

The Ryves Holt House is open for tours. Lewes Historical Society Executive Director Mike DiPaolo said the society is developing interpretative tours and exhibits. He said he’d like to tell the stories of the Zwaanendael settlement, War of 1812 Commodore Jacob Jones who lived in the home, and Delaware’s border dispute with Maryland. He’d also like to see interpretations embrace the home’s past history as a tavern and courthouse.

When a property is added to the National Park Service, the park service buys the property, receives it as a donation or works out an easement with property owners. In the case of the Ryves Holt House, the park service is working on an easement with Lewes Historical Society and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

For more information, go to www.nps.gov/frst.