Wednesday, July 30

As we were on the interstate in Dover, Delaware, we saw a major race track.

 

Being NASCAR fans we had to turn off and see the track if possible.  As we pulled in toward the track we saw a huge hotel with the sign Dover Downs.  That made it sound like a horse race track but we knew the lighting and the seating was for a car race track.  We went into the hotel lobby that turned out to be a casino!  Finding a security guard we asked questions and learned this is a NASCAR track (the monster mile) and WITHIN the car track is a horse track.  There is also a huge casino there.  We were not able to get a track tour and left with only a few pictures.  As we were leaving we saw a sign for “Historic Dover” and decided to drive through.

 

The drive through ended up being several hours of a wonderful walking tour – completely free.  First, the current capital which they call “state house” is built on the style of the 1800’s.

 

Behind it is the ORIGINAL state house that was built in early 1800 and we had a great tour.

 

This building had been used as the state house until the mid 1900’s when the new building was built.  As a result it had been “remodeled” several times and the Historic Society completely renovated it to the original styles.  It is wonderful. 

We then walked through the town and saw the oldest house in Dover,

 

the original Baptist Church

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and the building that held the “Golden Fleece Tavern” where the Declaration of Independence was signed.  Delaware’s delegation was the first to sign the Declaration and now their “name” is “The First State.” 

We also saw a house that closely resembles one of my “Snow Village” houses.  I wonder if that is where Dept. 56 got the idea. 

As we got to their welcome center we saw a sign about a display of the “Illegal Activity – Underground Railroad.”  We went through the display and learned about the support of both a white man and a free black man for the Underground Railroad that was used by many runaway slaves.  What was astounding was the difference in legal sanctions for the two men.  The white man was fined a large sum of money while the black man was sentenced to 7 years in jails and then to be sold into slavery.  They were convicted for the same crime but the sentences were extremely different.  I hope we have come a LONG way from this type of discrimination in our legal processes.  We left Dover and headed to Atlantic City where we found a nice hotel outside the city.  We were tired but it was a really good day.