Ryves Holt House
Encyclopedia
Ryves Holt House is purportedly the oldest surviving house in the U.S. state of Delaware
. It is located at 218 Second Street in Lewes, Delaware
.
The building, which has been dated to 1665 using dendrochronology
, served as one of the earliest inns in the region. It was run for a time by Philip Russell, who was "recorded as a cupbearer to William Penn
". After coming to "Port Lewes" in 1721, Ryves Holt, the first Chief Justice of Sussex County
, purchased the house. The Lewes Historical Society currently owns and operates the building and the Historical Society hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets and further information are available at the nearby Rabbits Ferry House.
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
. It is located at 218 Second Street in Lewes, Delaware
Lewes, Delaware
Lewes is an incorporated city in Sussex County, Delaware, USA, on the Delmarva Peninsula. According to the 2010 census, the population is 2,747, a decrease of 6.3% from 2000....
.
The building, which has been dated to 1665 using dendrochronology
Dendrochronology
Dendrochronology or tree-ring dating is the scientific method of dating based on the analysis of patterns of tree-rings. Dendrochronology can date the time at which tree rings were formed, in many types of wood, to the exact calendar year...
, served as one of the earliest inns in the region. It was run for a time by Philip Russell, who was "recorded as a cupbearer to William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
". After coming to "Port Lewes" in 1721, Ryves Holt, the first Chief Justice of Sussex County
Sussex County, Delaware
Sussex County is a county located in the southern part of the U.S. state of Delaware. As of 2010 the population was 197,145, an increase of 25.9% over the previous decade. The county seat is Georgetown. The Seaford Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Sussex County.Sussex County is...
, purchased the house. The Lewes Historical Society currently owns and operates the building and the Historical Society hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets and further information are available at the nearby Rabbits Ferry House.