East Dover Hundred in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Hall House

First State Heritage Park

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 28, 2022

1. Hall House Marker

Inscription.

Hall House. First State Heritage Park. , The land on which Hall House stands was originally part of the Woodburn property. In 1885, Thomas Wilson, Jr. purchased an acre from his uncle living in Woodburn and built this house, which was completed in 1887. In 1983, during the administration of Governor Pierre S. du Pont IV, the State of Delaware purchased the house to expand guest and meeting facilities for Woodburn.,

🥀 The interior has three floors that include a vestibule, entrance hall, two parlors, dining room, kitchen and seven bedrooms. During the administration of Governor Thomas R. Carper, one of the greatest achievements of First Lady Martha Carper was the renovation of Hall House, which was in a state of disrepair. Under her direction, The Friends of Woodburn staged a designer showcase event that brought together Delaware interior designers, artists, and landscape professionals to transform Hall House into a delightful Victorian treasure.

, [Captions:] , The house was named Hall House by First Lady Elise du Pont to honor Delaware's 36th Governor, John Wood Hall, who served from 1879-83. The grandson of the governor, Frank Hall, owned this house from 1918 to 1953., Changes made to the parlor during the designer showcase renovation included placing a portrait of Governor Hall above the mantel., The furniture suite in this third floor bedroom originally belonged to Annie Jump Cannon (1853-1941). Cannon, a nationally known astronomer, grew up in Dover at 34 S. State Street, now the official residence of the Wesley College President., Martha Stacy Carper, First Lady of Delaware from 1993 to 2001, A departure from the Victorian theme reflected in most of the house, the kitchen was thoroughly modernized to fully serve the entertainment function of Hall House., The stained glass window in the entrance hall was commissioned for Hall House. It features an etched Great Seal of the State of Delaware within a diamond, as well as several state symbols such as the Blue Hen, the Lady Bug, the American Holly Tree and the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly., [Sidebar:] , Hall House combines several eclectic styles of mid- to late-nineteenth century Victorian architecture, including elements of Queen Anne and Stick., The spacious wrap-around porch, with its spindle work detailing, is a characteristic feature of the Queen Anne style. It was used throughout the day as a room, as an escape from the heat of the indoors, and as a place to retire after dining to socialize with both family and passing neighbors., Also a feature of the Queen Anne and Stick styles are the multiple ornamental surface textures. Wooden slat siding is combined with partnered rounded edge shingles, plain squared edge, shingles, and patterned stick work. During the administration of Governor Michael N. Castle (1985-92), paint analysis was undertaken and the house's exterior was returned to its original colors., Other architectural details are the trusses seen under the gables, the brackets under the eaves, and the lattice work on the front porch., As glassmaking technology improved during the nineteenth century, windows were no longer limited to small pieces of glass glazed into frames Using glass as a decorative element as opposed to just letting in light, large windows were surrounded by multiple smaller panes., 🥀 Hall House is open for tours by appointment. 302.739.5656 or [email protected]

The land on which Hall House stands was originally part of the Woodburn property. In 1885, Thomas Wilson, Jr. purchased an acre from his uncle living in Woodburn and built this house, which was completed in 1887. In 1983, during the administration of Governor Pierre S. du Pont IV, the State of Delaware purchased the house to expand guest and meeting facilities for Woodburn.

🥀 The interior has three floors that include a vestibule, entrance hall, two parlors, dining room, kitchen and seven bedrooms. During the administration of Governor Thomas R. Carper, one of the greatest achievements of First Lady Martha Carper was the renovation of Hall House, which was in a state of disrepair. Under her direction, The Friends of Woodburn staged a designer showcase event that brought together Delaware interior designers, artists, and landscape professionals to transform Hall House into a delightful Victorian treasure.

[Captions:]
The house was named Hall House by First Lady Elise du Pont to honor Delaware's 36th Governor, John Wood Hall, who served from 1879-83. The grandson of the governor, Frank Hall, owned this house from 1918 to 1953.

Changes made to the parlor during the designer showcase renovation included placing a portrait of Governor Hall above the mantel.

The furniture suite in this third floor bedroom originally belonged to Annie Jump Cannon (1853-1941). Cannon, a nationally known astronomer, grew up in Dover at 34 S. State Street, now the official residence of the Wesley College President.

Martha Stacy Carper, First Lady of Delaware from 1993 to 2001

A departure from the Victorian theme reflected in most of the house, the kitchen was thoroughly modernized to fully serve the entertainment function of Hall House.

The stained glass window in the entrance hall was commissioned for Hall House. It features an etched Great Seal of the State of Delaware within a diamond, as well as several state symbols such as the Blue Hen, the Lady Bug, the American Holly Tree and the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly.

[Sidebar:]
Hall House combines several eclectic styles of mid- to late-nineteenth century Victorian architecture, including elements of Queen Anne and Stick.

The spacious wrap-around porch, with its spindle work detailing, is a characteristic feature of the Queen Anne style. It was used throughout the day as a room, as an escape from the heat of the indoors, and as a place to retire after dining to socialize with both family and passing neighbors.

Also a feature of the Queen Anne and Stick styles are the multiple ornamental surface textures. Wooden slat siding is combined with partnered rounded edge shingles, plain squared edge, shingles, and patterned stick work. During the administration of Governor Michael N. Castle (1985-92), paint analysis was undertaken and the house's exterior was returned to its original colors.

Other architectural details are the trusses seen under the gables, the brackets under the eaves, and the lattice work on the front porch.

As glassmaking technology improved during the nineteenth century, windows were no longer limited to small pieces of glass glazed into frames Using glass as a decorative element as opposed to just letting in light, large windows were surrounded by multiple smaller panes.

🥀 Hall House is open for tours by appointment. 302.739.5656 or [email protected]

Erected by Delaware

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State Parks.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Delaware State Parks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 39° 9.712′ N, 75° 31.389′ W. Marker is in Dover, Delaware, in Kent County. It is in East Dover Hundred. It is on Kings Highway Southwest north of Pennsylvania Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 181 Kings Hwy SW, Dover DE 19901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Woodburn: The Governor's House

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 28, 2022

2. Hall House Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Woodburn (within shouting distance of this marker); Sequoia - A California Redwood (within shouting distance of this marker); Richardson and Robbins Complex (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Annie Jump Cannon (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wesley College (approx. 0.2 miles away); …and His Accomplishments (approx. ¼ mile away); Crawford Carroll, the Man… (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.

Other markers no longer nearby. Hall House (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Woodburn: The Governor's House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Woodburn: The Governor's House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 483 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 30, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.