Location: New Castle
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What to do and see in New Castle, Delaware (DE): The Best Sights & Landmarks
New Castle, Delaware, "the first capital of the first state," was founded in 1651. Having been home to Native Americans, the Dutch, and the British, New Castle truly is a "uniquely American place." The Amstel House is a Georgian mansion dating back to 1730. The Dutch House has survived from an even earlier period, featuring furnishings from the 17th century. With ancient graveyards, town greens, old churches and traditional English gardens, New Castle brings history alive.
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1. New Castle Presbyterian Church
2. New Castle Court House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Delaware approved the Declaration of Independence in this building, which was constructed in 1732.
Reviewed By iggnacious - New York City, United States
We loved the history and how our tour guide -- Bob -- brought it all to life. The court house in itself is fascinating and Bob made it all the better. We left wanting to learn more!
3. Dutch House Museum and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
This house dates back to the late 1600s and is documented to be the oldest structure in town, and the second oldest in the state. The Dutch House is a rare example of an early Colonial-era middle class family home.
Reviewed By shawnh777 - Washington DC, United States
We enjoyed visiting the Dutch House on a double tour with the Amstel House, shortly after we toured the Read House, and you should visit all three. the Dutch and Amstel House can be booked through a tour at the Arsenal, while the Read House is a separate price charged at the house itself. The Dutch House is the oldest of the three, built in the 17th century. On the tour, you get to see the three rooms on the lower level, and get an interesting history of the home and the people who have lived there, including the mistakes made about the home's history over time. The tour guide was exceptional and brought the home alive.
4. Amstel House Museum and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
The Amstel House is the first mansion in Delaware and was home to an early Governor. Originally known as "The Corner," this was the most important home in the late 1700s. High society came to this house, including George Washington, who attended a wedding here.
Reviewed By shawnh777 - Washington DC, United States
The Amstel House fills the gap between the Dutch House and the Read House in telling the story of New Castle's history. The architecture is brought alive by excellent tour guides, who share the homes surprising connection to George Washington. It's incredible to be able to walk through history across three homes that takes you from the early 17th century to the present day.
5. Read House and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By shawnh777 - Washington DC, United States
This mansion tells the stories of three families who lived there from the early 1800s through the donation of the building to the Historical Society. It is kept in excellent condition, with period furniture throughout and most of the original architecture intact. We popped in and paid a few dollars for a tour through the rooms, which lasted about 40 minutes. You go through the first and second floors, including the servant spaces and kitchen, and hear a lot about the history of the house from the unliked Mr. Read to the fun-loving Lairds with their tenuous grasp of history. I highly recommend you visit this home after visiting the Dutch House and Amstel House, so that you get three different homes, built as the wealth of New Castle increased over 170 years.
6. Old Library Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
The Old Library Museum serves as the exhibit space for the New Castle Historical Society. The building is currently closed, but arrangements for access are being made and a new exhibit is being developed. Please check back, or visit our website, for updates on when the Old Library Museum will reopen. The building served as the library for New Castle City from the 1890s through the 1960s. It is an excellent example of Victorian architecture.
Reviewed By shawnh777 - Washington DC, United States
This is a one-room, free-to-enter, historic building in New Castle. You walk in to find a volunteer to welcome you. When we were there, the library was hosting a small exhibit on the Italian immigrant experience. You can't go wrong by popping in if you are near the New Castle Green to learn a little history and see the building.
7. Immanuel Episcopal Church
8. Frenchtown Railroad Ticket Office
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 14 reviews
Constructed in 1832, the Frenchtown Railroad Ticket Office is a tiny building that was once part of a railroad in the Civil War period. The building found its home in Battery Park, New Castle, Delware in the 1950's.
9. Rivercross Fellowship Church
10. Gracelawn Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
1.0 based on 1 reviews
Founded in 1934, Gracelawn Memorial Park is an 80-acre cemetery for all faiths. We provide a haven of peace in a beautiful setting located just north of historic New Castle, Delaware. Gracelawn has been serving families for more than 70 years, with over 50,000 individuals having pre-selected their burial property with us. Our staff of 18 services approximately 800 interments annually, offering traditional ground burial, in-ground lawn crypts, and above-ground entombment or inurnment in one of our stately mausoleums. Our Memorial Chapel harmoniously blends the contemporary and the traditional into a lovely facility to be used by our lot owners for the final services for a loved one. The twelve magnificent colored cut glass windows were designed especially for our Chapel. Through the perpetual care taken to maintain the beauty and tranquility of our grounds, we render respect for those interred here and for their families. Gracelawn's natural beauty and inspirational statuary provide the perfect surroundings for visiting the final resting place of a loved one. We’re proud to be a member of the Dignity Memorial® network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers. Dignity Memorial providers offer exclusive benefits, including National Transferability of Prearranged Services, the Bereavement Travel Program, the 24-Hour Compassion Helpline® and access to an acclaimed grief management library. As North America’s largest provider of funeral, cremation and cemetery services, the Dignity Memorial brand is your assurance of quality, value, caring service and exceptional customer satisfaction. All of our services are designed to help our families through one of the most personal and challenging stages of life. We understand losing a loved one is an emotional and difficult experience, and we are committed to helping families with compassionate, professional and personal service. Please contact us if you need immediate assistance, or if you would like more information about our services.
