'''New Castle''' [http://www.newcastlecity.net/] is a quiet town in Delaware, one of the United States of America.
Soft breezes blow from the river over the cobblestone streets and through the quiet town. Walk along the brick walkways and cobblestone streets and instantly walk into the past.
New Castle's history began in the 1650s with a dispute between the Swedish and the Dutch over the land. New Castle was the bustling port for Dutch, Swedish, English, and Finnish settlers and traders in the 17th century. William Penn landed in New Castle in 1682. New Castle was incorporated in 1875.
New Castle is the home of three signers of the ''Declaration of Independence'': George Reed, George Ross, and Thomas McKean.
Get in
By car
'''Directions from Interstate 95''':
Once in Delaware_c
:From I-95 North / South, follow signs for I-295 toward _gNY-NJ-Delaware Memorial Bridge._h
:Take the last exit before the bridge, Route 9 South (New Castle).
:Follow Route 9 South for approximately 2 miles. Get in left lane.
:Go straight at stop sign. You are now on 6th Street.
:Go straight through next stop sign. Turn left onto Delaware Street at next light.
:Continue 4 blocks to the main square. Free parking is available throughout the square and along side streets.
'''Directions from NJ Turnpike / I-295 South''':
:After crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge, stay to the right through the toll plaza.
:Take the second exit after the toll plaza for Route 9 South (New Castle).
:Follow Route 9 South for approximately 2 miles. Get in left lane.
:Go straight at stop sign. You are now on 6th Street.
:Go straight through next stop sign. Turn left onto Delaware Street at next light.
:Continue 4 blocks to the main square. Free parking is available throughout the square and along side streets.
'''Directions from Route 13 North / South''':
:Take Route 273 East at large intersection (Hare_fs Corner).
:Follow Route 273 East toward New Castle approximately 2 miles.
:Go straight through the intersection at Route 141 to continue on Route 273 East / Route 9 North.
:Follow Route 273 East / Route 9 North for about 1/2 mile.
:After crossing railroad tracks, bear right into Historic New Castle. You are now on Delaware Street.
:Follow Delaware Street about 5 blocks to the main square. Free parking is available throughout the square and along side streets.
Get around
Tree-lined cobblestone streets, brick sidewalks, and even a drinking fountain for your dog! All these things help make Historic New Castle an extremely walkable small town. Its museums, shops, restaurants, and parks are all within a few minutes walk of each other. So park the car and enjoy a trip back in time in this beautiful river town!
See
The ''New Castle Historical Society's'' decorative arts and archival collections on display in the '''Dutch House''' and the '''Amstel House''' span over 300 years of local and national history. The furniture, ceramics, textiles, watercolors, photographs, silver collection, books, manuscripts, documents, and newspapers of early colonial life are preserved in these houses. The archival collection contains over 1,000 photographs of the town and waterfront in the 19th and 20th centuries. For information about the Historical Society visit www.newcastlehistory.org or call 302-322-2794.
The '''Dutch House''' is the oldest house in New Castle (1690-1700), and is a charming middle class home of the early colonial period. Its colonial Dutch furnishings include a massive kas (a cupboard) and Queen Anne yoke back, duck foot side chairs in old paint stamped "Coutant" and the Delft ceramics that reflect the town's early Dutch period. 32 East Third Street. 302-322-2794. http://newcastlehistory.org/houses/visit.html
The '''Amstel House''' is an early Georgian residence that reflects the refinement and style of the early 1700s. The unique five bay, gable-end facade was built by Dr. John Finney in the 1730s. The Amstel House Garden has a Renaissance-era pilaster, originally from London Bridge, topped with a 1789 English sundial. The public and private Gardens and Battery Park are havens from a slower relaxing life of our ancestors. 2 East Fourth Street. 302-322-2794. http://newcastlehistory.org/houses/visit.html
The '''Old Library Museum''' is an 1892 hexagonal brick structure. Sunlight radiates from the soaring skylight and draws the eye to the extensive, breathtaking original interior woodwork. The Stitchery Exhibit, the Artifacts of Childhood Exhibit, and the Passing on the Story: African-Americans in New Castle Exhibit reflect colonial life. 40 East Third Street. 302-322-2794. http://newcastlehistory.org/houses/visit.html
'''Old New Castle Court House''' is one of the oldest surviving courthouses in the United States. The original 1732 court house was built over the remains of Delaware's first court house of 1689. The Court House was the statehouse and meeting place of Delaware's colonial and first State Assembly from 1732 to 1777 when New Castle was Delaware's capital. Significant events took place at the Court House involving slavery, abolition, and the ''Underground Railroad''. 210 Delaware Street
The '''George Read II House''' was built in 1801 and the Garden was designed in 1847. This Federal style house was owned by George Read II, the son of a signer of the ''Declaration of Independence'' and the ''U.S. Constitution''. This early 19th century house has 14,000 square feet, 22 rooms, and a one and a half acre garden.
'''New Castle Frenchtown Railroad''' was constructed in 1832. Steam locomotive "''Delaware''" pulled the train that operated in the pre-Civil War period. This railroad was an important connecting link between the north and south. Located in Battery Park.
'''Immanuel Episcopal Church''' was founded in 1689 and built in 1703. Tombstones line the sanctuary. Tombstones in adjoining graveyard date from 1707. '''New Castle Presbyterian Church''' was built in 1707. The first congregation was Dutch. Located on The Green.
'''New Castle Presbyterian Church''' was built in 1707 and restored in the 1950s. Located on East 2nd Street.
'''New Castle United Methodist Church''' began as a small brick chapel in 1820. The present church was built in 1863. Located on Delaware Street betwen 5th and 6th Streets.
'''Booth House''' was built in 1730. The '''Arsenal on the Green''', '''Immanuel Parish House''', also known as the '''Thomas House''', '''Alexander Home''' also known as the '''Sloopes House''', and the '''Old Academy Building''' are other historical buildings in New Castle.
Do
Be sure to visit the museums of the New Castle Historical Society. The Society operates the Amstel House Museum (c. 1738), the Dutch House Museum (c. 1690-1700), and the Old Library Museum. For information on these museums visit www.newcastlehistory.org.
The New Castle Courthouse (c. 1732) is a Delaware State Museum and provides a good introduction to the town.
Buy
Cactus Wren Gallery. 06 Delaware Street. n historic New Castle, just minutes from I-95.. 02-328-7595. ww.CactusWrenGallery.com. 0 to 5 Tues-Sat, 1 to 5 Sun. Offering fine Native American jewelry and art. Of the over 100 artists represented, many are well known award-winners. All pieces are authentic and many are one-of-a-kind.
Shops include jewelry, decorative arts, antiques, custom framing, needlework, rubber stamps, rare books, and art.
Eat
Restaurants range from inexpensive sandwich shops to colonial taverns and fine dining.
'''Jessop's Tavern''' for killer pub food with a historical flair as well as some fine local brews.
'''The Arsenal at Old New Castle''' offers both a pub atmosphere with Civil War decor or fine dining in the 1812 Dining Room.
'''Prince''' '''on Delaware''' features wonderful selections made form the freshest ingredients.
'''Three Crowns''' is a nice coffee and ice cream shop located abouyt a block from Battery Park. They serve homemade ice cream from Delaware's Woodside Dairy.
'''Port-Fino Pizza and Restaurant'''
'''New Castle Deli'''.
Drink
'''Jessop's Tavern''', Delaware Street. A favorite watering hole, just a block from the Delaware River. Pub standards like Guinness and New Castle Brown Ale are available on tap, and be sure to try Jessop's Wheat - brewed locally by the award-winning Stewart's Brewpub.
'''The Arsenal at Old New Castle''' also has a cozy atmosphere in its informal pub. Original Civil War uniforms, muskets, and swords adorn the walls - a great place to spend a couple of hours!
Sleep
Kentucky Derby Inn. un4theroses@webtv.net. If you'd like to stay right in the historic district.
The Terry House Bed & Breakfast. 30 Delaware Street. 5 minutes south of Wilmington. 02-322-2505. ttp://www.terryhouse.com.
Spacious guest rooms with private baths, queen size beds and modern amenities. The rooms offer a view of Battery Park or Market Square and the Court House and the Delaware River during the winter months. Wireless internet access.
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Get out
Cultural & Historical Attractions Near Historic New Castle include:
Biggs Museum of American Art - [http://www.biggsmuseum.org/]
Delaware Art Museum - [http://www.delart.org/]
Delaware Historical Society - [http://www.hsd.org/]
Fort Delaware - [http://www.destateparks.com/fdsp/]
Greenbank Mill - [http://www.greenbankmill.org/]
Hagley Museum & Library - [http://www.hagley.lib.de.us/]
Historic Houses of Odessa - [http://www.historicodessa.org/]
Iron Hill Museum - [http://www.ironhillmuseum.org//]
New Sweden Center - [http://www.colonialnewsweden.org//]
Old Swedes Church - [http://www.oldswedes.org/]
Rockwood Museum - [http://www.rockwood.org/home/webpage1.asp]
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate - [http://winterthur.org/]
Historic New Castle is located about 45 minutes from Philadelphia, 75 minutes from Baltimore, 90 minutes from Washington DC, and 2 hours from New York City.