Rehabilitation of the Sheriff’s House is underway

The National Parks Service (NPS) has begun work to rehabilitate the historic Sheriff’s House within the First State National Historical Park.

The restoration of the Sheriff’s House is expected to take about 14 months and will transform the building to serve as the principal location for visitors exploring the park’s six sites. 

“The Sheriff’s House will interpret the nationally significant stories that shaped the nation’s first state through photos, exhibits and audio-visual displays,” said Dan Dilworth, First State National Historical Park acting superintendent. 

The improvements will help encourage visitors to get a more in-depth, place-based visitor experience at the partner sites throughout the state. In addition, the rehabilitation will provide NPS staff office space on the second floor. 

Work will include exterior accessibility improvements, utility improvements, exterior stone repair and repointing, interior restoration and replacement work, and exhibit fabrication and installation.

Because the Sheriff’s House is located between the New Castle Court House Museum and the New Castle Arsenal, construction will be limited to the area immediately adjacent to the Sheriff’s House to limit the impact to visitors and staff. The Sheriff’s House is a contributing feature to the New Castle National Historic Landmark Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The project is funded through the NPS’s construction program.