It was January 18, 1740 when Samuel Dickinson, a wealthy Quaker tobacco planter and merchant of Talbot County, Maryland moved his family to the plantation on Jones Neck, southeast of Dover, Delaware. John Dickinson was seven years old at the time. Over the next 68 years, until his death in 1808, John Dickinson split time between this country plantation that he inherited from his father, and his city homes in Philadelphia and later, Wilmington. And throughout that time, he played a key role in the birth of a new nation-the United States of America.

Location

The John Dickinson Plantation is located at 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE 19901.

Directions

The Plantation is located southeast of the Dover Air Force Base on Kitts Hummock Road (County Road 68). Kitts Hummock Road intersects with the northbound side of Delaware Route 9, one-half mile northeast of the intersection of Route 9 and U.S. Route 113.

Contact Information

Phone: (302) 739-3277
Email: Gloria Henry, Site Supervisor

Hours of Operation

Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1:30-4:30 p.m., except closed Sundays in January and February. Closed Mondays and state holidays.

Admission

Free and open to the public. Donations are accepted.

Parking

Ample, free parking is available. Accomodations for buses are also available.

Disabled Access

The Visitor Center and the first floor of the mansion are accessible to people with disabilities.

Visitor Center

The Visitor Center at the John Dickinson Plantation contains an exhibit on the life of John Dickinson, as well as the history of the plantation. Orientation videos and historic interpreters help visitors become further acquainted with the life and times of the "Penman of the Revolution."

Touring the Plantation

Tours are conducted by historic interpreters dressed in 18th Century clothing. Tours for large groups require prior reservations. For more information on group tours, go to our Plantation Activities page.

Shopping

The Visitor Center also houses The History Store, home to a variety of items to complement your visit to the Plantation. We also offer packaged "grab bags" for school tours.