Delaware claims to be the “First State” as it was the first among the 13 original colonies to ratify the United States Constitution. This distinction is reflected in the state’s first urban “park without borders”, the First State Heritage Park.

First State Heritage Park can be found in the city of Dover in Kent County, Delaware. Founded in 2004, the park aims to preserve and link the cultural and historic sites within the city since it became the seat of Delaware government in 1777. A product of state and city partnership under the Delaware State Parks authority, the park highlights Delaware’s role as the “First State”. Open all year to the public, the park also conducts special guided tours to those who want to go deeper into Delaware’s history.

The park is a living link of several important sites. These are the Welcome Center and Galleries, the John Bell House, Delaware Public Archives, the Old State House, the State Capitol, the Woodburn and Hall House (or a.k.a. Governor’s House), and Biggs Museum of American Art.