New Castle was the first capital of the state of Delaware. It is a beautiful city that has a historic area that is fun to walk. Some of the streets are cobblestone. Almost anything you might want to visit will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Plan your visit for later in the week to enjoy going into some of the historic buildings.
If you happen to arrive early in the week, don’t worry, a walk down to the waterfront is worth doing. Enjoy the stellar views of the Delaware River Bridge. The ticket office for the New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad is located on the edge of the Battery Park. It is cute little white building that dates from 1832 and is a reminder of the first railroad in the state of Delaware. You can’t get too close to the building because it is surrounded by a white picket fence but it is worth the effort.
The downtown historic area has several other buildings that are worth visiting. Among the best are the Read House and Gardens. The house is built in the Federal style and was constructed for the son of George Reed who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and also the Constitution. Twelve of the twenty-two rooms in the house are open to the public. Three rooms are decorated in the Colonial Revival style that reflects the age of the house. The other nine rooms are decorated in the style of the 1920s when the Laird family lived in the home. The gardens at the house are a tribute to the second owner William Cooper and are done in the style typical of the mid-19th century.
If you park along the green, you will be able to take a stroll over to Immanuel Episcopal Church. It dates from the early 18th century but due to a fire was largely rebuilt. The churchyard also has stones dating back to 1707 and is an interesting place to take a walk.
The New Castle Historical Society oversees three historic buildings, The Amstel House, The Dutch House and The Old Library Museum. The first two can be visited separately or on a combination ticket, they have guided tours. The Old Library is a self-guided tour.
Additional historic buildings worthy of notice are the courthouse and the Presbyterian Church. When you have had your fill of touring historic buildings, consider including one more as the destination for your lunch or dinner. Jessop’s Tavern offers a historic menu that reflects the many groups who are a part of the history of New Castle. Everything is made in-house and whether you want a starter, a sandwich or a full meal, you will find it here and it will be delivered by a server in period garb.
If you love books, especially used and antique book, Oak Knoll Books will offer you a great place to satisfy your desire to browse the stacks. The collection they have in stock is eclectic and you can order from them online as well. It is even open on Mondays.
If you are looking for a way to spend an interesting day, New Castle has a lot to offer. We made our base in Newark, DE and came here as a day trip.
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