FSC-2013 Belmont Hall (Smyrna) Traditional Geocache
FSC-2013 Belmont Hall (Smyrna)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache was originally placed for the First State Challenge 2013 sponsored by Delaware Geocachers! Although the challenge has ended, this cache is still available to be found!!
Cache Details:
Use parking coords for state owned road off of Smyrna-Leipsic road into Belmont hall. The State of Delaware owns the property of Belmont Hall. WE have permission to be on the grounds. NOTE No tresspassing signs along the right side of the road are for the cemetery, NOT Belmont Hall.
The cache is very close to the parking lot. You can walk around the beautiful property and gardens; just be aware that weddings are held outside at times.
Description:
The home known today as Belmont Hall is one of the most historic houses in Delaware. The Friends of Belmont Hall are very excited to be part of the 2013 First State Challenge mainly because many people don't know about Belmont Hall. Tours of the mansion are offered at a very low cost
In 1684 William Penn granted a 600 acre parcel of land to Henry Pearman who named his property Pearman’s Choice. Thomas Collins purchased 91 ½ acres of the original grant in 1771 from John Moore. At that time there was a house on the property that was referred to as “The Manor House near Duck Creek”.
Collins finished building the Georgian house, as it stands today, in 1773 and named it Belmont Hall. Although the brickwork appears to suggest that the entire house was constructed at the same time, family history and architectural evidence indicate that Collins enlarged the dwelling by building the large front of the house. He connected the old and new parts of the house after making extensive improvements to the two older rear wings – a kitchen and a dining room with bedrooms above.
Collins was elected to Delaware’s 1st General Assembly where he served from 1776-1782 as Councilman. When the General Assembly moved from New Castle to Dover in 1778, he became Speaker of the Council. The only person to be unanimously elected by the Assembly, Thomas Collins served as the 8th President/Governor of Delaware from 1786 until his death in 1789. When Delaware became the first state to ratify the Federal Constitution on December 7, 1787, Governor Collins was pleased to be able to certify and sign the document. Collins resided at Belmont Hall until his death on Sunday, March 29, 1789. He was the first sitting governor of Delaware to die in office. Belmont Hall is on the Historic American Building Survey (HABS); is marked by a State Historic Marker, a D.A.R. plaque and is listed on The National Registry of Historic Places.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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