2007 Earth Day and Cultural Affairs

Delaware, April 20, 2007 - Under a sunny sky and just the right temperatures, NRCS staff participated in a tree planting and cultural resources event for Earth Day 2007. The event took place at Belmont Hall in Smyrna on April 20. Belmont Hall is owned by the state and operated by Delaware’s Historical and Cultural Affairs. The lands around the home has been restored to a lush garden landscape and wooded habitat. However, the facility lost several trees last summer during a storm event, which needed to be replaced.

This history of the home is quite rich. The original part of the home was built in 1686 and sat on a 600 acre tract of land once known as Pearman’s Choice. It was the site of patriotic meetings and congregations during the revolutionary war. It has seen battle, murder and fire. It was the home of the state’s fifth governor, and is the site where Delaware’s first legislature met. In 1827, under the ownership of John Clock, the land became a show place for “scientific farming”.