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

Woodburn: The Governor's House

First State Heritage Park Historic Sites

— Delaware State Parks —

Woodburn: The Governor's House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 15, 2023

1. Woodburn: The Governor's House Marker

Inscription.

Woodburn: The Governor's House. First State Heritage Park Historic Sites. , This house was built for Charles Hillyard III ca. 1798. At the time it was considered one of the grandest in Kent County. When Hillyard died in 1814, his son-in-law, Dr. Martin W. Bates purchased the house. Bates lived here with his wife Mary and her three younger sisters. The house was sold to Daniel and Mary Cowgill in 1825. The first known reference to the name "Woodburn" was in an 1845 letter written by a Cowgill family member. Before there was an official residence, Governors who did not live in Dover would often stay in rented quarters or with friends when the General Assembly was in session.,

🥀 The State of Delaware purchased Woodburn in 1965, during the term of Governor Charles L. Terry, Jr., to serve as the official residence of Governor of Delaware. First Lady Jessica Irby Terry supervised the design of the interior of Woodburn during the renovations that followed the purchase. Inspired by the sophistication of the interior architecture, Mrs. Terry chose furnishings, textile treatments, and accessories that reflected the elegance and classicism of the Georgian style of the late 18th century., 🥀 In 1966, the tradition of opening Woodburn to the public was begun by First Lady Jessica Irby Terry. Woodburn became a symbol of grace and elegance but retained a sense of warmth and intimacy. First Lady Jeanne Tribbitt, who resided full-time at Woodburn with Governor Tribbitt (1973-77), once remarked "Woodburn is a home, not a museum." During the last forty years, not all Governors have occupied the house as their primary residence, but it has always been used for many state functions, from dinners and receptions to festivals, picnics and public events., 🥀 Woodburn is open for tours by appointment. 302.739.5656

, [Captions:] , Even before it was the Governor's residence, the house was a popular subject for early 20th-century postcards like the one above, which pictures the south porch., A late 19th-century photograph (right) shows unidentified people on the porch on the north steps of the house., A portrait gallery of the First Ladies of Delaware, including Jessica Irby Terry (left) graces the entrance and stair halls., The Governor's House is furnished with antiques, portraits, ceramics, and silver spanning three centuries from the collections of the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs., The public is invited to Woodburn several times each year, including on Dover Days (First Saturday in May) pictured at right., [Sidebar:] , 🥀 The First State Heritage Park is Delaware's first urban "park without boundaries," linking historical and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777, 🥀 The park is a partnership of state agencies working in collaboration with local government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector., 🥀 Tours, exhibits, and special events are offered by the park throughout the year., 🥀 For more information, visit: , First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries , 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulecard North, Dover , Or visit: , destateparks.com/heritagepark

This house was built for Charles Hillyard III ca. 1798. At the time it was considered one of the grandest in Kent County. When Hillyard died in 1814, his son-in-law, Dr. Martin W. Bates purchased the house. Bates lived here with his wife Mary and her three younger sisters. The house was sold to Daniel and Mary Cowgill in 1825. The first known reference to the name "Woodburn" was in an 1845 letter written by a Cowgill family member. Before there was an official residence, Governors who did not live in Dover would often stay in rented quarters or with friends when the General Assembly was in session.

🥀 The State of Delaware purchased Woodburn in 1965, during the term of Governor Charles L. Terry, Jr., to serve as the official residence of Governor of Delaware. First Lady Jessica Irby Terry supervised the design of the interior of Woodburn during the renovations that followed the purchase. Inspired by the sophistication of the interior architecture, Mrs. Terry chose furnishings, textile treatments, and accessories that reflected the elegance and classicism of the Georgian style of the late 18th century.

🥀 In 1966, the tradition of opening Woodburn to the public was begun by First Lady Jessica Irby Terry. Woodburn became a symbol of grace and elegance but retained a sense of warmth
Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online
and intimacy. First Lady Jeanne Tribbitt, who resided full-time at Woodburn with Governor Tribbitt (1973-77), once remarked "Woodburn is a home, not a museum." During the last forty years, not all Governors have occupied the house as their primary residence, but it has always been used for many state functions, from dinners and receptions to festivals, picnics and public events.

🥀 Woodburn is open for tours by appointment. 302.739.5656

[Captions:]
Even before it was the Governor's residence, the house was a popular subject for early 20th-century postcards like the one above, which pictures the south porch.

A late 19th-century photograph (right) shows unidentified people on the porch on the north steps of the house.

A portrait gallery of the First Ladies of Delaware, including Jessica Irby Terry (left) graces the entrance and stair halls.

The Governor's House is furnished with antiques, portraits, ceramics, and silver spanning three centuries from the collections of the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.

The public is invited to Woodburn several times each year, including on Dover Days (First Saturday in May) pictured at right.

[Sidebar:]
🥀 The First State Heritage Park is Delaware's first urban "park without boundaries,"

Woodburn: The Governor's House with Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Pete Skillman, April 5, 2024

2. Woodburn: The Governor's House with Marker

linking historical and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777

🥀 The park is a partnership of state agencies working in collaboration with local government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector.

🥀 Tours, exhibits, and special events are offered by the park throughout the year.

🥀 For more information, visit:
First State Heritage Park Welcome Center & Galleries
121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulecard North, Dover
Or visit:
destateparks.com/heritagepark

Erected by Delaware State Parks.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Delaware State Parks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1798.

Location. 39° 9.698′ N, 75° 31.398′ W. Marker is in Dover, Delaware, in Kent County. Marker is at the intersection of Kings Highway Southwest and Pennsylvania Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Kings Highway Southwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 151 Kings Hwy SW, Dover DE 19901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hall House (within shouting distance of this marker); Woodburn (within shouting distance of this marker); Sequoia - A California Redwood

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Richardson and Robbins Complex (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Annie Jump Cannon (about 700 feet away); Wesley College (approx. 0.2 miles away); …and His Accomplishments (approx. 0.2 miles away); Crawford Carroll, the Man… (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker, whose inscription was slightly different.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 75 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 17, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on April 6, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.