Golden Fleece Tavern Site (Dover)
Dover, Delaware, USA
331 South State Street, Dover, DE 19901, USA
MUSEUM
VISITOR INFORMATION
Do not assume a modern business using the Golden Fleece name is the 1787 venue or copy a nearby Green marker’s street number without evidence. Map point reviewed October 3, 2026: Original Golden Fleece Tavern property, now the Parke Green Gallery at 331 South State Street; not the modern bar of the same name. Visitor information reviewed October 3, 2026: MUSEUM describes the gallery’s art and historic-site interpretation within the existing categories. Book its mini tour during operating hours. Parking is nearby street parking, not a dedicated lot. The original tavern was demolished and is not tagged as surviving; restroom access is unverified.
Visitor amenities reviewed October 3, 2026: No confirmed information was found for public restrooms. The NO entries reflect unverified provision, rather than confirmed absence. Check locally before relying on facilities.
The former tavern site is represented by a marker and nearby Parke Green Galleries interpretation. Gallery mini-tours require advance arrangements. A current tour fee and reliable opening schedule were not confirmed; the operator’s tour page blocked automated access.
Peak visitation season unconfirmed. No reliable site-specific monthly attendance pattern was established.
May-June or September-October for Dover walks and a confirmed Golden Fleece interpretive tour. Contact the current gallery operator beforehand to verify opening, availability and the precise meeting place.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
HISTORIC SITES NEARBY
Nearby Historic Sites
miles
Landmark
WHO WAS HERE
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PEOPLE WHO LIVED HERE
About Golden Fleece Tavern Site (Dover)
Dover’s Golden Fleece Tavern hosted the convention that unanimously ratified the Constitution on December 7, 1787, making Delaware the first state to do so. The tavern also housed legislative meetings. Its former property is commemorated by a marker and later buildings near the Green.
The Golden Fleece was demolished around 1830 and replaced by the Capitol Hotel, which was later altered. A historical marker and interpretation at the property protect the association. The current building and nearby Green provide context without retaining the original 1787 tavern meeting room.
History happened here at Golden Fleece Tavern Site (Dover)
Built in the 1730s and also known as Battell’s Tavern, the Golden Fleece became a center of community and political activity. After state government moved to Dover in 1777, the Legislative Council met here until the State House was completed in 1791. The tavern also supported wartime communications and committee work.
Thirty delegates convened here on December 3, 1787, to consider the federal Constitution. Their unanimous approval on December 7 made Delaware the first ratifying state. The Council later approved the Bill of Rights here in January 1790. These events gave the building its reputation as a capitol tavern. Its subsequent demolition and replacement make the surviving commemoration a record of the original property rather than an intact convention interior.
PEOPLE WHO DIED HERE
PEOPLE AT REST HERE
EXTERNAL LINKS
Research reviewed October 2, 2026. Event IDs 88847485-e32a-4704-a985-f95b6d53ce31; Events Latest 10PM.csv rows 315.
https://archives.delaware.gov/delaware-historical-markers/golden-fleece-tavern/
Map location reviewed October 3, 2026. Original Golden Fleece Tavern property, now the Parke Green Gallery at 331 South State Street; not the modern bar of the same name. Map geometry © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/628944053
https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright
Visitor classification and amenities reviewed October 3, 2026. Destination: Parke Green Galleries interpretation at the original Golden Fleece property.
https://delawarescene.com/organization/1222/parke-green-galleries
Prose batch 2 researched October 3, 2026. Fast pass; proofing pending. Original tavern distinct from later hotel/gallery and modern bar sharing the name.
Visitor admission and access fields reviewed October 3, 2026. Destination: Parke Green Galleries interpretation at the original Golden Fleece property. Prior operator mini-tour evidence retained. The current tour page blocks automated access, so no fee or daily schedule inferred.