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

Delaware Public Archives

Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 1, 2025

1. Delaware Public Archives Marker

Inscription. Governor John Clark first encouraged the archiving of records in 1818, but taking action took time. In 1905, citizens fearing document loss urged lawmakers, who ultimately formed the Division of Public Records. Walter G. Tatnall became the first state archivist in 1913, based in the Old State House. To expand, the Hall of Records was built in 1938. Underground storage was added in 1970. As the Hall aged, residents pushed for a new building. This state-of-the-art facility opened in 2001, joined to the updated Hall. One of the oldest U. S. archives, this site preserves and shares the history of the First State and its people.

Erected 2025 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number DE-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.

Location. 39° 9.503′ N, 75° 31.203′ W. Marker is in Dover, Delaware, in Kent County. It is in East Dover Hundred. It can be reached from Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this

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postal address: 121 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, 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: USS Delaware (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Delaware Public Archives (within shouting distance of this marker); The State of Delaware Historical Markers Program (within shouting distance of this marker); Armed Forces Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Afghanistan-Iraq Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Legislative Hall: Delaware's Capitol Building (about 300 feet away); We hold in respectful memory… (about 300 feet away); The Women of the Delaware Women's Military Service Monument (about

Delaware Public Archives Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 1, 2025

2. Delaware Public Archives Marker - wide view

300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.

More about this marker. This marker is the first of a new marker design for the Delaware Public Archives, unveiled in a ceremony on April 29, 2025. It features the Great Seal of the State of Delaware prominently at the top.

Also see . . . Delaware Unveils New Look for Historical Markers. A news story about the unveiling of this new marker design for the State of Delaware.

On Tuesday, the Delaware Public Archives unveiled a redesigned version of the state’s historic markers that will be used for all new signs moving forward.

The new design features the Delaware state seal at the top, can hold up to 630 characters, and weighs approximately 165 pounds.

(Submitted on May 1, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 195 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 1, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.