Located in old downtown Dover near the historic Courthouse and State House, The Green is a wide open park plaza in Dover, Delaware. Serving as the symbolic heart of the city, The Green is connected to the history of the city and nation but is also surrounded by a mix of uses that enable connection and engagement no matter the time of day or year.
From the Colonial Era to Modern Dover
Laid out in 1717 in accordance with William Penn’s 1683 orders, the one-acre expanse of grass and foliage that defines The Green has played a role in the American Revolution, for Women’s Rights, in Civil Rights and more. It was originally “New Court House Green,” and then “Court House Square,” and then “Market Square,” highlighting the various was The Green has been connected to the community throughout the eras. The lives of all of Dover’s residents mingled on The Green
In the Colonial Era, The Green was the heart of Dover. During the American Revolution, it was the setting for troop reviews, markets and public gatherings. In 1787, delegates met at the Golden Fleece Tavern that faced The Green to ratify the United States Constitution, defining Delaware as “The First State.”
What has remained consistent is the history that literally surrounds the area. The Old State House and the John Bell House are two of the most notable buildings but there are over seventy-five buildings are architecturally noteworthy, with styles that include Colonial Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Gothic Revival, Federal and Neo-Georgian.
This significance has impacted the sorts of activities that take place across the year at The Green. Special events are held on The Green throughout the year such as Old Dover Days, the Spring and Summer Performing Arts Series, First Night Dover, 4th of July festivities, Caroling on The Green, plus many others.
Trees shade this historic site, which features a wide-open area that the community can utilize freely and for a variety of purposes. The Green is central to Dover’s heritage tourism program, offering exhibits, tours, and special programs. This variety is connected to the history and legacy of the space, highlighting what it can mean to cultivate engagement in the present that connects to both the past and future of an entire region and nation.
A Beloved Space in Dover
Owned by the city of Dover, The Green is located within walking distance to stores, restaurants, and other historic sites in the capital city of Delaware. With numerous markers and monuments that call out the history in the space, the Green has been recognized as one of the most beloved and oft-used public spaces in Dover, showcasing what it can mean for an otherwise empty green space to become something so much more.
