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.
Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.
