Delaware Public Archives

Delaware Public Archives is a Delaware historical marker in Dover, Kent County, dedicated 2025.

Kent County · dedicated 2025 · 121 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd N, Dover

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Governor John Clark first encouraged the archiving of records in 1818, but taking action took time. In 1905, citizens fearing document loss urged lawmakers, who ultimately formed the Division of Public Records. Walter G. Tatnall became the first state archivist in 1913, based in the Old State House. To expand, the Hall of Records was built in 1938. Underground storage was added in 1970. As the Hall aged, residents pushed for a new building. This state-of-the-art facility opened in 2001, joined to the updated Hall. One of the oldest U.S. archives, this site preserves and shares the history of the First State and its people.

TodayHistorical map

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David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

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under a mile from where William Gabby lived in the 1760s

what this marker records spans 1777 to 1789, overlapping William Gabby's years here

From one family's 77-marker roster

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The marker isn't at this spotOur pin may be off. If you know where it stands, tell us.I couldn't find the markerWe record what the source recorded. We have not been to look.The sign reads differentlyThat would be an error, and we can pass it to the program.The historical map looks wrongThe period map behind the pin, not the marker itself.Something else

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Source: State of Delaware Historical Markers Program, administered by the Delaware Public Archives.
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