OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT SOURCES ONLYTHE STATE & NATION RELEASE ARCHIVE
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PERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE

Travel Archive

Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.

2026-07-29

1 STORIES

National Park Service Proposes Rule to Allow Bicycle Use on Designated Trails at First State National Historical Park

Trail with green corn field on the right and green trees and srhubs on the left.
National Park Service · Original image and credit

WILMINGTON, Del. — The National Park Service is proposing to allow bicycle use on approximately 25 miles of designated trails within the Brandywine Valley unit of First State National Historical Park and is seeking public comment on the proposed rule from July 30 through Sept. 28.

Official NPS source

2024-12-09

1 STORIES

First State National Historical Park Finalizes the Brandywine Valley Trail Plan

A administrative road leads downhill surrounded by vibrant colored fall leaves.
National Park Service · Original image and credit

The Brandywine Valley Trail Plan at First State National Historical Park can move forward. The plan defines a designated shared-use 27.8-mile trail network that will provide high-quality recreational opportunities, promote visitor safety and enjoyment and preserve connectivity with leased property within the Brandywine Valley section of the park and neighboring properties.

Official NPS source

2024-07-02

1 STORIES

First State National Historical Park seeks public input on Draft Brandywine Valley Trail Plan Environmental Assessment July 2 – August 1, 2024

Front page of the Draft Brandywine Valley Trails Management Plan has an image of a group of youth hiking.
National Park Service · Original image and credit

The National Park Service (NPS) invites public input from July 2 to August 1, 2024, on a draft Trail Plan for First State National Historical Park’s Brandywine Valley unit. Public input will help shape the trail plan, which will establish a cohesive and sustainable trail network for the Brandywine Valley unit.

Official NPS source

2024-05-06

1 STORIES

2023-10-11

1 STORIES

2023-05-12

1 STORIES

2022-04-18

1 STORIES

2022-01-20

1 STORIES

2021-12-01

1 STORIES

NPS to Begin $5 Million Restoration of Sheriff’s House in First State National Historical Park

A red-brown bricked two story building.
National Park Service · Original image and credit

The National Park Service (NPS) awarded a $5.4 million construction contract to rehabilitate the historic Sheriff’s House at First State National Historical Park in Delaware. The Sheriff’s House is a contributing feature to the New Castle National Historic Landmark Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Official NPS source

2021-11-29

1 STORIES

2021-04-15

1 STORIES

Scouts Explore Their Watershed

A person places a mini raft built out of sticks in the creek.
National Park Service · Original image and credit

Through a Challenge Cost Share Grant from the National Park Trust, First State National Historical Park (NHP) and Stroud Water Research Center (the Stroud Center) developed an engaging youth program, called Youth Watershed Explorers, that consisted of a mix of at-home and in-park experiences.

Official NPS source

2021-03-25

1 STORIES

2020-11-13

1 STORIES

2020-06-08

1 STORIES

2020-03-09

1 STORIES

First State National Historical Park to Hold Community Open House for Input into Name of Northern Portion of the Park

A view of a a field overlooking a house after coming out of the woods
National Park Service · Original image and credit

The National Park Service is working to determine a consistent name which will be used on park signs and in official documents to call the 1,100 acres of the park located in Wilmington DE. The park will hold an open house to gather public input into this decision. UPDATE: Out of an abundance of caution related to COVID-19, we are cancelling the open house scheduled for March 24th. Instead of a meeting, we will take written comments and questions until March 27th. Details can be found on the First State NHP Facebook Page.

Official NPS source

2019-12-17

1 STORIES

2019-09-04

1 STORIES

Sheriff's House in First State National Historical Park Receives Approval for Rehabilitation

Front of the Sheriff's House in Historic New Castle
National Park Service · Original image and credit

The National Park Service Development Advisory Board has approved the project scope and schematic design for adaptive re-use of the historic Sheriff's House, a preliminary step in rehabilitation of the building. The Sheriff’s House is adjacent to the New Castle Courthouse on the Green in New Castle, Delaware.

Official NPS source

2019-05-19

1 STORIES

Delaware Fourth Graders Become Preservationists

A park ranger swears in a group of 4th-graders.
National Park Service · Original image and credit

Over the course of four days in April and May, the park hosted nearly 1,000 Delaware 4th grade students to experience ArCH (Arts, Culture and Heritage) Preservation Field Days on The Green in Dover. ArCH Preservation Field Days is a yearly event, done in partnership with First State Heritage Park in Dover, to introduce elementary-aged students to all of the ways science, art, history and heritage relate to historic preservation.

Official NPS source

2019-03-29

1 STORIES

Archaeology Work to Begin Around Sheriff's House

Front of the Sheriff's House in Historic New Castle
National Park Service · Original image and credit

First State National Historical Park, in partnership with the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, is initiating an archaeological investigation prior to the final planning for the rehabilitation of the Sheriff’s House and the adjacent exterior perimeter as the park’s new office and visitor center.

Official NPS source

2018-08-01

1 STORIES

NPS Issues Decision on Sheriff’s House Rehabilitation and Use Plan

Front angle of the Sheriff's House in Historic New Castle.
National Park Service · Original image and credit

The National Park Service has issued a decision regarding the future of the Sheriff’s House at First State National Historical Park and concluding the park’s environmental assessment (EA) planning process. The decision document, known as a Finding of No Significant Impact, or “FONSI,” describes the alternatives considered, the alternative selected for implementation, and the rationale used to make the selection. The FONSI also describes the mitigation measures that will be taken to ensure the protection of natural and cultural resources and the quality of the visitor experience at the park.

Official NPS source

2016-08-05

1 STORIES

First State National Historical Park seeks residential Property Management Company

Stone house at First State NHP
National Park Service · Original image and credit

The National Park Service (NPS) is offering a unique opportunity to manage approximately 350 acres of leased property within the First State National Historical Park (FRST) through a Request For Proposals (RFP). The leased property includes eleven single family homes, four horse farms and approximately 240 acres of agricultural land.

Official NPS source

2016-05-02

1 STORIES