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Trustee Emeritus Award for Excellence in the Stewardship of Historic Sites
In November
2000, the National Trust for Historic Preservation presented this
prestigious award to
The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America "for acquiring,
restoring, and interpreting a collection of historic properties that offer
invaluable opportunities to experience the rich variety of America's
heritage."
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NSCDA in Delaware Museum Property |
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
(1740)
Address:
Corner of S. Park and West Street
Wilmington, DE 19802
Open:
April through October, second
Sunday of the month,
2:00 to 4::00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m.
to 4:00 p.m. or by application to the President of NSCDA in Delaware.
Directions:
From
I-95, take Delaware Avenue Exit, follow to West Street to Park
Drive.
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Photo courtesy of John R. Schoonover |
| The little gambrel-roofed, brick
structure was the first Presbyterian church built in Wilmington.
It was completed in 1740, and that date is outlined in glazed brick on
the north wall of the building.
After the Battle of the Brandywine
(1777), when the British occupied Wilmington, the church was used as a
hospital for wounded American soldiers.
In 1838, several churches combined
with the First Church, and the congregation became too big for the little
building. It was used as a school for forty years, then the Historical
Society of Delaware used it as a library and museum from 1878 to 1917.
In an attempt to save the historic building, The National Society of The
Colonial Dames of America in the State of Delaware and the Sons of Colonial
Wars moved it brick by brick to its present location. The interior
was restored to its original condition in 1981. The high, coved ceiling,
presentor's box, the pulpit, and sounding board are all reproductions of
the original 1740 interior.
The church is owned and maintained
by The NSCDA in the State of Delaware.
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
ACCREDITED: NSCDA MUSEUM
PROPERTIES |
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