Community

The Trustees of The New Castle Common has, since its inception, been involved in the community in many different ways. Over the years Trust projects have included:

The purchase and development of Battery Park
Establishment of the river walkway
Support of wetlands rehabilitation
Major renovations to the Old Town Hall
Construction of the Good Will Fire Company building, and its new addition
Construction of the Public Library in the1960's and major support of its renovation and expansion
Funding for the Public Safety building
Scholarship grant program for city residents
Concerts in the Park
Penn Farm Restoration
Provide land for New Castle Little League

Other community projects in which the Trustees have played a role

New Castle Academy
Chartered 1801, drawing by B. Latrobe, 1804, image courtesy of Delaware Public Archives.

The very first appropriation of funds in 1798 was for educational purposes. For a time all the funds of the trust were devoted to the erection and maintenance of the New Castle Academy. Later the Arsenal Building on the Green (then a one-story building) was taken by the Trustees and rebuilt and there the Trustees established the New Castle Institute. The Trustees then opened and entirely supported all the public schools of the town until 1875, when the Board of Education was created. About 1931, when William Penn High School was built, the State appropriation was not sufficient without serious curtailment of the plans. The value of the building was secured by the aid of the Trustees to the extent of $20,000. (Source: The Blue Book)

Hermitage Natural Area

This area is named for “The Hermitage”, a house built by Nicholas Van Dyke Jr. between 1801 and 1818. Over the years the area has been a farm, a summer retreat and pasture. It is now being developed as a nature area with three trails, and a wildlife safety zone for hiking photography and nature study. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife, from birds to beavers.