Visit Historic Georgetown

By Lynn R. Parks

Historic Georgetown, founded in the 18^th century as the seat of government for Sussex County, was originally laid out in a circle. Only recently was the town expanded beyond its original circle. At the heart of town is the newly-refurbished Circle, out from which roads still head in four directions.

"Our town is no longer circular," said town manager David Baird. "But the Circle is still the center of all activities in Georgetown."

The Circle recently got a $475,000 facelift. According to Baird, renovations of the Circle included a new fountain, new lighting and new sidewalks, made from brick pavers and concrete. New landscaping was put in, including 25-foot oak trees, shrubberies, perennials and bulbs.

The Circle also has new planters and benches.

"I am very pleased," said Baird. "It was a tremendous facelift for the Circle."

"It is fabulous," added Donna Koskey, who owns Chardon LTD, a business on the Circle. "It is top-shelf. Everyone is enjoying it."

In addition to several businesses, the Circle is home to state, county and town buildings. The Sussex County Courthouse is on the Circle, as is Georgetown Town Hall.

It is also the scene of Georgetown’s annual Caroling on the Circle as well as its biannual Return Day, held two days after Election Day to allow politicians to make peace after hard-fought battles.

Return Day harkens back to the early days in the county, when voters would return to the county seat to hear elections results. "We basically close the town down," said Rosalie Walls with the Georgetown Historical Society. "We have a parade where politicians ride in carriages and cars, and then we bury the hatchet to symbolize the end of fighting. As far as I know, we are the only county in the United States to still do something like this."

Georgetown is home to three museums. A small museum featuring antique firefighting equipment owned by the Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department is set up in the fire hall and is open when volunteers are present. For details, call 856-7700.

The Treasures of the Sea exhibit at Delaware Technical and Community College just east of US 13 on Delaware 18 features treasures and artifacts taken from the shipwreck of the Attocha, discovered off the coast of Delaware. Genuine gold coins from the wreck are available for sale.

The museum is open Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is $2.50 for adults, $2 for people 65 and older, $1 for students and free for children 4 and under. For details, call 856-5700.

The Nutter D. Marvel Museum south of Georgetown features a collection of historic buildings and horse drawn carriages. The museum also has on display thousands of photographs, newspaper clippings, books and other memorabilia about Georgetown. The buildings which house the collection include two barrel-roof barns, a 100-year-old church, a one-room school house, a blacksmith shop, two old railroad freight buildings, a dining room with kitchen, storage buildings and an office.

Marvel, local entrepreneur, horseman and legislator, died in 1988. His collection was given to the town of Georgetown in 1992 by his grandchildren.

On the last weekend of January, the museum hosts a Civil War encampment with soldiers from both Union and Confederate ranks and a skirmish both days at 1 p.m. According to Wesley Jones, reenactor with the First North Carolina Battery A Artillery and a member of the Georgetown Historical Society, the event includes demonstrations and vendors with 19^th-century era wares. It also includes period music.

Jones’ wife Debra, also a reenactor, plays the part of Rose O’Neal Greenhow, a Washington, D.C., socialite and spy for the Confederates.

Admission is $3 per person per day. For more information, contact the Georgetown Historical Society at 855-9660.

The Historic Georgetown Association is in the process of restoring the town’s train station near the heart of downtown. According to Carlton Moore, chairman of the restoration effort, the association hopes to make the station a base for regular excursions, commuter and special event passenger service.

The station held an open house during Return Day 2002, during which a restored 1950s train, owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad, pulled in. It was also part of this year’s Christmas house tour. For details on the station, call Moore, 934-8818.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and the historical society have put together a self-guided walking tour of the downtown area. Pamphlets are available at the chamber office and at town hall, both on the Circle.

Downtown Georgetown is home to several antique stores. There are also several antique stores on US 9, east of town.

For more information about the town, call the chamber, 302-856-1544.