https://www.nps.gov/frst News releases from First State National Historical Park. en-us https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/first-state-national-historical-park-finalizes-the-brandywine-valley-trail-plan.htm Mon, 09 Dec 2024 07:00:00 EST 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.  https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/first-state-national-historical-park-finalizes-the-brandywine-valley-trail-plan.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/draft-brandywine-valley-trail-plan-environmental-assessment.htm Tue, 02 Jul 2024 06:09:00 EST 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.  https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/draft-brandywine-valley-trail-plan-environmental-assessment.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/first-welcome-center.htm Mon, 06 May 2024 12:02:00 EST First State National Historical Park open's the park’s first welcome center at the Sheriff’s House, located in New Castle. The center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/first-welcome-center.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/naturalization-ceremony-2023.htm Wed, 11 Oct 2023 11:20:00 EST At an intimate naturalization ceremony at First State National Historical Park in New Castle, Delaware, 20 people from 12 different countries became United States citizens. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/naturalization-ceremony-2023.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/2023-05-27-traffic-pattern.htm Fri, 12 May 2023 11:52:00 EST NEW Traffic Pattern at Smith Bridge Parking Lot, beginning Saturday, May 27th https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/2023-05-27-traffic-pattern.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/first-state-national-historical-park-kicks-off-national-park-week-with-a-celebration-at-the-sheriff-s-house-in-new-castle.htm Mon, 18 Apr 2022 10:55:00 EST The National Park Service and US Senator Tom Carper kicked off National Park Week Friday morning with a press event to celebrate the rehabilitation of the historic Sheriff’s House in New Castle, Delaware. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/first-state-national-historical-park-kicks-off-national-park-week-with-a-celebration-at-the-sheriff-s-house-in-new-castle.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/boles-super.htm Thu, 20 Jan 2022 09:36:00 EST National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Gay Vietzke announced that Joshua Boles will serve as the new superintendent of First State National Historical Park in Delaware and Pennsylvania. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/boles-super.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/nps-to-begin-5-million-restoration-of-sheriff-s-house-in-first-state-national-historical-park.htm Wed, 01 Dec 2021 09:48:00 EST 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. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/nps-to-begin-5-million-restoration-of-sheriff-s-house-in-first-state-national-historical-park.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/partial-closure-of-smith-bridge-parking-lot.htm Mon, 29 Nov 2021 11:19:00 EST Beginning November 29, 2021, First State National Historical Park will be restricting access to the Smith Bridge Parking Lot by closing the right side of the lot to allow for the landscape to recover and maintenance. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/partial-closure-of-smith-bridge-parking-lot.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/scouts-explore-their-watershed.htm Thu, 15 Apr 2021 07:19:00 EST 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. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/scouts-explore-their-watershed.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/martina-meyers-named-chief-ranger-of-first-state-national-historical-park.htm Thu, 25 Mar 2021 06:33:00 EST First State National Historical Park (NHP) Superintendent Cinda Waldbuesser has named Martina Meyers as the park’s first Chief Ranger. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/martina-meyers-named-chief-ranger-of-first-state-national-historical-park.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/rehabilitation-of-sheriff-s-house.htm Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:13:00 EST During the week of November 16, 2020, the National Park Service will begin work on the rehabilitation of Sheriff’s House. The Sheriff’s House is adjacent to the New Castle Court House Museum on the Green in New Castle, Delaware. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/rehabilitation-of-sheriff-s-house.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/the-national-park-service-has-named-the-northern-unit-of-the-park.htm Mon, 08 Jun 2020 07:24:00 EST After a thorough review of all comments, the National Park Service has decided to name the northern unit of the park Brandywine Valley. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/the-national-park-service-has-named-the-northern-unit-of-the-park.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/community-open-house.htm Mon, 09 Mar 2020 08:46:00 EST 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. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/community-open-house.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/cinda-super.htm Tue, 17 Dec 2019 06:43:00 EST National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Gay Vietzke has named Cinda Waldbuesser as the new superintendent of First State National Historical Park in Delaware. Waldbuesser will begin her new assignment in January. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/cinda-super.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/receives-approval-for-rehabilitation.htm Wed, 04 Sep 2019 19:12:00 EST 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.  https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/receives-approval-for-rehabilitation.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/delaware-fourth-graders-become-preservationists.htm Sun, 19 May 2019 07:35:00 EST 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. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/delaware-fourth-graders-become-preservationists.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/archaeology-around-sheriff-s-house.htm Fri, 29 Mar 2019 06:05:00 EST 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. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/archaeology-around-sheriff-s-house.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/sheriffs-house-fonsi.htm Wed, 01 Aug 2018 06:19:00 EST 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. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/sheriffs-house-fonsi.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/first-state-national-historical-park-seeks-residential-property-management-company.htm Fri, 05 Aug 2016 12:32:00 EST 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. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/first-state-national-historical-park-seeks-residential-property-management-company.htm https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/bioblitz2016.htm Mon, 02 May 2016 10:47:00 EST Get ready to explore First State National Historical Park like never before! On May 20-21, First State will participate in the National Parks BioBlitz. https://www.nps.gov/frst/learn/news/bioblitz2016.htm