Dover, Delaware
December 7, 1787, is a key date in American history. Thirty delegates, ten from each of Delaware’s three counties, met at the Golden Fleece Tavern to become the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. As the second smallest state, Delaware knew early on that the United States would be stronger together as a nation than we ever could be if we were apart.
The Golden Fleece was first built in the 1730s, and briefly served as the home of the Upper House of Delaware’s Assembly when the state government moved to Dover in 1777. The Golden Fleece was also the location where Delaware later ratified the Bill of Rights in January 1790. Delaware eventually built a capitol building in 1791, but not before the tavern became entrenched in American history.
The Capitol Hotel replaced the original tavern in the 1830s. The hotel remained open until the 1920s, but has since been renovated to pay homage to the original Golden Fleece Tavern. Today, the tavern hosts a gift shop and the art studio for N. Taylor Collins. I had the chance to meet with Ms. Collins, and she graciously signed a couple of her postcard prints that I picked up for my nieces. Her studio was neat, and if someone was interested in Delaware-based artwork, it is well worth a visit to Dover to add to their collection.
I enjoyed our brief visit to the Golden Fleece and was glad to learn about this significant place in Delaware and American history.
