The John Bell House

The John Bell House. . , An extremely rare example of a one-and-a-half-story 18th century timber-frame building, the John Bell House has stood on the historic Dover Green witnessing many key events of Dover, the State of Delaware, and the United States., Constructed around 1750, the structure was built by John Bell II and gifted to his son, John Bell III to use as a hatter's shop. This small building was part of the larger lot which included the second most pouplar tavern on The Green: the Tavern at the Sign of King George., Afterwards, this building became: a post office and print shop run by a Revolutionary War veteran, the law office of abolitionist and ally of Abraham Lincoln-Nathaniel Smithers, a private residence, and more., Witnessing the Revolution, abolition and slaveyr, and the Suffrage movement, today, the John Bell House stands as the Interpretive Center at the heart of First State Heritage Park, Delaware's first urban park without boundaries. After being purchased by Delaware State Parks in 2005, it was a painstakingly preserved to reflect its early years., [Captions:] , This advertisement was posted by John Bell II in November 1772, putting his family's tavern up for lease. The John Bell House appears to be listed among its outbuildings., This map, created by Leon DeValinger, depicts what Dover looked like in 1776. The Bell property depicted on the south side of The Green., This series of images shows the John Bell House over time, from the turn of the 20th century, near collapse in the 1920s, how it appeared when Delaware State Parks acquired it, and the building in its new use today. , Dover Green in 1898. . Bell House in 1920s. . John Bell House as Office, c. 2010. . Historical Interpreters in front of the John Bell House, 2024.