Great Hall

It has been discovered that to date 17 families have either owned or occupied Woodburn. Descriptions of each family are listed below. You can either scroll down through all the families or pick a family as linked to view their time spent at Woodburn.

	The Hillyard Family - 1784-1814
	Senator Martin W. Bates Family - 1814-1825
	The Cowgill Family - 1825-1912
	Senator Daniel O. Hastings Family - 1912-1918
	The Hall Family - 1918-1953
	The Murray Family - 1953-1965
	Gov. Charles L. Terry, Jr. & Family - 1965-1969
	Gov. Russell W. Peterson & Family - 1969-1973
	Gov. Sherman W. Tribbitt & Family - 1973-1977
	Gov. Pierre S. du Pont & Family - 1977-1985
	Gov. Michael N. Castle & Family - 1985-1993
	Gov. Dale E. Wolf & Family - 1993
	Gov. Thomas R. Carper & Family - 1993-2000
	Gov. Ruth Ann Minner - 2001-present

The Hillyard family had land grants in Delaware as early as the 1680's and left their mark on early Delaware history. John Hillyard, the first of this family, came to Kent County, Delaware and received a land grant of about 2,000 acres. It was his great-grandson, Charles Hillyard III, who purchased the property and built Woodburn in ca. 1798.

Charles Hillyard III and his wife Mary had 10 children between 1782 and 1798, which made a large house like Woodburn a necessity.

At 54 years old, Charles Hillyard III died at Woodburn on January 25, 1814. His wife had preceded him in death. After Charles' death, his daughter Mary's family, the Bates, lived in the home for the next 11 years.

Sen. Martin W. Bates

Martin W. and his wife Mary (Hillyard) Bates purchased Woodburn from the estate of Charles Hillyard III on May 8, 1814 for $2,812.00. Mr. Bates was quite familiar with the home since he married Mary Hillyard, the daughter of Charles, and was a regular guest in their home.

Martin Bates was born on February 24, 1786 in Salisbury, CT. Lacking the funds to attend college, he was a self taught educator. He taught school in Maryland and Delaware, obtained a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, owned a mercantile business in Dover and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1822. He was later appointed to fill the U.S. Senate seat of the late John M. Clayton where he served from 1857-1859.

Martin and Mary Bates lived in Woodburn from 1814-1825. During this time, Martin Bates ran his mercantile business and studied law with the Honorable Thomas Clayton, who served as a U.S. Representative from 1815-1817 and U.S. Senator for Delaware from 1823-1827 and 1837-1847.

According to historical record, Martin Bates developed lameness later in life, among a number of other physical maladies. Historians are still unsure as to where the Bates family lived after leaving Woodburn. Martin Bates died in Dover, Delaware on January 1, 1869, and his internment was in the Old Methodist Cemetery in Dover.

Daniel Cowgill, Sr. purchased Woodburn from the Bates family on August 4, 1825 for $3,000.00. He had just married Mary Naudain, daughter of Andrew Naudain and Rebecca Snow, prior to moving into the house.

Edward H. Wilson married Coralee Cowgill, granddaughter of Daniel and daughter of Clayton, on September 15, 1877 in the Great Hall at Woodburn. The home was later transferred to them and to Harriet Louise (Cowgill) Haman by Daniel, Sr. and Clayton.

Woodburn was later sold to Edward H. Wilson's parents, Edward Warner and Sara Howell Wilson, for the sum of $1.00. Edward's sister, Sallie B. Holmes, lived there with her parents in 1885.

Sara Howell Wilson died testate on September 18, 1897. Various Wilson family members lived in the home until it was sold in 1912 by Sallie B. Holmes to U.S. Senator Daniel O. Hastings for $12,000.00.

U.S. Senator Daniel Oren Hastings served the residents of Delaware in many ways during his life, including Deputy Attorney General, 1904-1909; Secretary of State, 1909; Associate Justice of the Delaware State Supreme Court, 1909-1911; City Solicitor of Wilmington, 1911-1917; Judge of the Municipal Court of Wilmington, 1920-1929; and finally as U.S. Senator from December 10, 1928-January 2, 1937.

He lived at Woodburn mainly during the summers, preferring his Wilmington home in the winter. Historians credit him with many of the changes to Woodburn that we see today.

He added the brick porch on the three sides of the house, pillars on the south side, a French doorway in the drawing room and a reflecting pool in the garden and also removed the fireplace from the Great Hall. On September 12, 1918, Daniel Hastings sold Woodburn to Mr. & Mrs. Frank Hall for $18,000.00.

Frank Hall was born in the home of his grandfather, Governor John W. Hall (1879-1883) in Frederica, Delaware. This home is currently being used as a nursing home.

Mr. and Mrs. Hall made quite a few enhancements to the interior of the home, many of which are still present today. The high cost of heating the home caused the Halls to move to Bellevue Stratford in Philadelphia during the last few years of their ownership. After Mrs. Hall's death in 1952, Mr. Hall held an auction for the contents of the home. He then sold the house for $35,000.00 to Thomas and Elsie Murray in September, 1953. This purchase included the house and one and one-half acres of land. The remaining land was sold to the Elizabeth Murphy School for $25,000.00.

The Murrays did not make many changes to Woodburn, except for the renovation of the basement. The rest of Woodburn was kept structurally intact. Renovation work on the basement caused public speculation as to whether secret tunnels from the Underground Railroad existed. Those tunnels supposedly led from Woodburn to the St. Jones River.

In 1965, the Murrays sold Woodburn to the State of Delaware for $65,000.00 for use as the Governor's official residence.

Woodburn became the official residence of the Governor of Delaware under Governor Charles L. Terry. In addition to the purchase price, the State also appropriated $70,000 for renovations and repair work.

Mrs. Terry supervised the interior decorations during alterations. Furnishings were bought by the state and donated by prominent people. Many of the current furnishings, paintings, china and other pieces are on loan from different museum collections. Finally, in February 1966, the home was opened to the public for tours. During the Terry administration, Woodburn was open every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, from 2 to 5 p.m., with the First Lady present to greet visitors. The Terry's also started the annual tradition of a Christmas open house.

During the years Governor and Mrs. Terry occupied Woodburn, the house became a symbol of the elegant grace of its occupants and the state.

As a memorial to Governor Terry, Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Wheatley of Smyrna planted a Dawn redwood tree (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) in 1970.

Gov. & Mrs. Russell W. Peterson

When a reporter toured the house after the Petersons had moved in, she noted to Mrs. Lillian Peterson that she did not see a television anywhere. The late Mrs. Peterson replied graciously, "It's in the closet. You know, it is not an antique," which indicates the thought and care the Petersons invested in Woodburn.

They wanted the house to remain historically appropriate with the time period for all guests and tour groups. The Petersons had a teenage daughter, Elin, and she was the first teenager to live at Woodburn since the state's purchase. For her benefit, the Peterson's built a recreation room in the basement for entertaining friends.

The Petersons, following the example of the Terry family, had a weekly open house tour for the citizens of Delaware and those visiting the state.

After leaving Woodburn, Governor Peterson returned to continue the tradition started by Governor Tribbitt during the early 70's of the planting of a tree on the Woodburn grounds. He chose a Snow Fountain cherry (Prunus subhirtella var. pendula 'Snow Fountain'), which was planted on November 18, 1995.

The Tribbitts moved into Woodburn in January, 1973, along with their son Sherman (Tip). He was the first Governor to use Woodburn as a primary residence.

Gov. & Mrs. Sherman Tribbitt

Mrs. Tribbitt, following tradition, opened the home to weekly tours. The Tribbitts, like the Petersons, paid close attention to the home remaining in historical perspective. They converted the basement recreation room into a family living room and also hid televisions from the view of those touring the home.

Mrs. Tribbitt, always the gracious hostess, held many new events at Woodburn, including student tours, the Delaware Mother of the Year Tea and press breakfasts. Their goal was to make the entire house accessible to every Delawarean.

On June 29, 1975, the Tribbitts' daughter, Carole Jean, was married at Woodburn. This is only the second known marriage to take place in the house.

Since leaving office, the Tribbitts remain close to Woodburn in spirit and location. When his administration was over, they settled into another fine home blocks away from Woodburn. Mrs. Tribbitt's intense interest in Delaware History and her knowledge of the Governor's House make her a valuable resource in the activities of the Friends of Old Dover.

The Tribbitts started a tradition still followed today. Prior to leaving Woodburn, they planted a tree on the grounds. They planted a Blue Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca') on October 24, 1974 in the front yard. Since then, each Governor has also planted a tree. In fact, Governor Peterson returned to plant one, and a tree was planted in honor of Governor Terry.

The du Ponts, their four children and two dogs brought a lot of activity to the house. They held a Halloween celebration, which has become a Woodburn tradition turning the building into a haunted house. Another popular activity started by the du Ponts is the fall festival, which is open to the public.

First Lady Elise du Pont was especially interested in the period of Woodburn's architecture, and she researched the decor and colors of the late 1700's. Her research lead to changes in the paint colors of the main entertaining rooms. She also added additional furnishings and dishes from the state archives' collection and Delaware Historical Society. The du Ponts developed a corps of volunteers, numbering in the hundreds, from docents to clowns, to help with the home's many activities.

During the du Pont administration, the house on the north side of Woodburn, 181 Kings Highway, was bought by the state to add to the guest facilities at Woodburn. The house was officially named the Hall House for former Governor John W. Hall. With this purchase, six additional bedrooms were available for visitors.

At the end of the du Pont administration in June, 1984, the parting gift to Woodburn was a flowering Peach tree (Prunus persica) for the center of the driveway circle, in keeping with tradition.

Governor Castle was the first bachelor governor to occupy Woodburn. His residency had great impact on the house because of his involvement in a variety of renovation projects. New electric wiring, kitchen facilities, painting and wallpaper are just a few of the maintenance tasks required after 25 years.

Gov. & Mrs. Michael Castle

Governor Castle also encouraged public events held at Woodburn. Governor Castle started the annual Easter Egg hunt celebration. He continued the du Pont's fall festival event and the haunted house. Black-tie state dinners and barbeques alike became regularly scheduled events at Woodburn. In June, 1987, Governor Castle turned the house over to Lord & Lady de la Warr during their two-day visit to Dover, part of a two-week visit to Delaware.

On May 23, 1992, while he was still in office, Governor Castle married Jane DiSabatino. In celebration, two American Holly trees (Bride and Groom Trees) were planted behind Woodburn.

In keeping with the past tradition, Governor Castle planted a Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) on April 23, 1987. The seedling was from a tree traceable to one planted at Mt. Vernon by George Washington.

Gov. & Mrs. Dale E. Wolf

Governor Wolf's short time in office came about when he served as the state's Lieutenant Governor when Governor Mike Castle was elected to Delaware's lone seat in the U.S. Congress. The U.S. Congress is sworn in 17 days prior to the Governor of Delaware, making Dale Wolf Governor of Delaware for those 17 days.

Governor Wolf and his wife were gracious hosts during their short stay at Woodburn.

In keeping with past tradition, Governor and Mrs. Dale Wolf planted a Pink weeping cherry (Prunus subhirtella var. pendula 'Rosea') on January 10, 1993.

Governor Thomas R. Carper, First Lady Martha S. Carper and their two young sons became the official residents of Woodburn in January, 1993.

Gov. & Mrs. Thomas Carper

At that time, there were already several well established annual events hosted at Woodburn. Governor and Mrs. Carper chose to build on those events and always emphasized family values.

Then, in 1996, Mrs. Carper established The Friends of Woodburn, Inc., which took on the task of restoring Hall House, the annex to Woodburn used as the guesthouse for state visitors.

The foundation spearheaded a collaborative volunteer effort spanning two years. It included many Delaware designers, crafts people, and over two hundred docents. The renovations were supported with generous financial contributions from Delaware foundations, corporations and businesses. A demanding task and an example of the wonderful volunteerism that exists in Delaware, the completed restoration gave back to the state one of its crowning jewels.

Today, the restored Hall House represents a wonderful legacy for future Delawareans to share. The Friends of Woodburn foundation continues to provide financial support for both Hall House and Woodburn. As temporary stewards for these two historic sites, the Carpers were always cognizant of their responsibility and made important choices to ensure the longevity of both homes for future generations to enjoy.

In keeping with tree planting tradition, the Carpers planted an Eastern Redbud.

Gov. Ruth Ann Minner

Governor Minner became the official resident of the home in January, 2001. She has continued all the community events that were previously established by past Governors. She, as all the Governors in the past, is truly a gracious host in this lovely home. Governor Minner has become only the second Governor to use Woodburn as her primary residence. Ruth Ann Minner - a short biography