5 Facts About Delaware's Capital: How Well Do You Know Dover?

Before the American Revolution was even thought of, Dover was making big waves in the New World. The city was founded in 1683 by William Penn and became the state’s capital in 1777. How well do you know about the capital of Delaware? Here are five facts about Dover.

1. Birthplace of inventor of phonograph: E.R. Johnson

Eldridge Reeves Johnson was born in Wilmington and grew up in Dover. Johnson was inventor of the phonograph and founder of the Victor Talking Machine Company, today known as RCA. Dover commissioned a museum to celebrate the famed inventor who brought entertainment to the world.

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Designed as a 1920's Victrola dealer's store, it features an extensive collection of phonographs, records, and memorabilia related to the Victor Talking Machine Company. It also has an oil painting of Nipper, the dog from the RCA trademark “His Master's Voice.”

2. Sign on the dotted line

Many know Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution. But Dover played a crucial role in the process. On Dec. 7, 1787, delegates from the 13 colonies met at the Golden Fleece Inn on the Green in Dover.

It was here that America’s founding fathers once again took to the task of reinventing the wheel. The first charter gave too much power to the states, but the Dover initiative would help balance the new country.

3. Home of penman of Revolution: John Dickinson

Famously known as the penman of the Revolution, John Dickinson was born 1732 and rose to fame in 1767 for writing the "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies."

These letters helped change public opinion against the Townshend Acts created by British Parliament. Dickinson also helped write the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution.

Dickinson’s home is now a museum in Dover, and visitors can see the records and tools from his career. It is furnished with family pieces and antiques of the period.

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4. A fresh, free start

Dover, like many colonial cities, had deep ties with the Underground Railroad. Slavery was heavily debated in these states and, yes, the North had a minority of prominent citizens who made money trading in human lives.

Maryland was a slave state, while Pennsylvania and New Jersey had outlawed the practice. This made Dover a popular stop to help free Maryland slaves and send them to protected neighbors.

It was also home to a large Quaker community that encouraged a sustained emancipation effort in the early 19th century. There were very few slaves in the area, but the institution was supported, if not practiced, by a small majority, who saw to its continuation.

5. Honoring our fallen troops

Dover is home to one of the nation’s most trusted and honored command units — the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations. Located on Dover Air Force Base, this unit houses the only continental mortuary services for the military.

The unit was created Dec. 15, 2008, by an order of the U.S. Air Force’s Directorate of Services, Manpower and Personnel.

Officers and enlisted team members honor their fallen comrades by carefully creating a memorial service, ironing flags, coordinating returned flights, and working with families to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.

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