WELCOME
Welcome to Historic Downtown Dover
We drive business and job opportunities, growth of economic and cultural assets & development of commercial and residential real estate, while preserving our historic qualities.
- Strategic Master Plan
- Our Mission & Values
- Organizational Structure
- Partnership Board & Staff
- Planning Committees
- 2022 Annual Report
OUR HISTORY
Historically Happening in Dover
Dover was founded as the court town for newly established Kent County in 1683 by William Penn, the proprietor of the territory generally known as the "Lower Counties on the Delaware."
- Downtown Dover History
VISIT DOWNTOWN
What is the Capital Key?
A program of the Downtown Dover Partnership Merchant Committee whereby residents, shoppers, visitors and friends of downtown can access value, savings, and special offers from participating downtown merchants. There is no cost to participate!
- Save Downtown with The Capital Key
- All Businesses (A-Z)
- Arts
- Banks
- Bed & Breakfast
- Meeting Venue
- Museums
- Parks
- Personal Services
- Public Buildings
- Restaurants & Taverns
- Retail
- Parking Downtown
- Download Map & Complete Listing - PDF
DOING BUSINESS HERE
Opening Your Own Business?
New business start-ups can happen easier and faster in Dover. Why? Every place you need to register and license your business is practically within walking distance of downtown.
- Guide for Merchants
- Top Ten Reasons
- How the DDP Works for You
- Incentives
- Download Development Boundary Map
- Partners & Resources
EVENTS CALENDAR
It's Historically Happening Downtown
Follow us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all our events or call us at 302-678-2940.
- First Saturday
- Busking Program
- Paint Dover
- Window Contest
- Capital City Market
CONTACT US
Downtown Dover Partnership
101 West Loockerman Street, Suite 1B
Dover, DE 19904

Phone: 302-678-2940
- Newsletter Sign-Up
- Contact Information

Paint Dover!

Paint Dover! 2023 will take place Oct 3-6!

Coming soon! Information and registration for the Fifth Annual Paint Dover! event. 2023's event will include "dueling demos" - multiple painting demonstrations, painted simultaneously - and expanded boundaries in which to paint our lovely downtown residences, business district, parklike settings, and DSU Downtown campus! After this year's success, the Biggs Museum will host the Opening Exhibition in 2023!

Click here to register for Paint Dover! 2023

Thank you to the partners and sponsors of Paint Dover! 2022

Biggs Museum, BLICK Art Supplies, City of Dover, DE Division of the Arts, Del-One FCU, Dover Art League, Jerry's Artarama of Delaware, National Endowment for the Arts, and PNC Bank.

2022 Schedule

Oct. 4-7 Paint Dover!

Artists & art-lovers enjoyed three days of outdoor painting in varied weather conditions! The event culminated in a french-themed Opening Exhibition at the Biggs Museum of American Art on Oct. 6 and a live art demonstration with artist judge, Jim Rehak on Oct. 7.

Oct. 13-31 Extended Exhibition

Downtown stores displayed artwork from Paint Dover!

Oct. 18-31 Virtual Exhibition

Voting the People's Choice Best Painting Award took place through Nov. 7. The winner is Katie Yost with "Rainy Day on Loockerman." (featured in text).

Click here to view the 2022 Virtual Exhibition

Click here to read the Paint Dover press release.

Paint Dover! is a plein air painting event and art competition in downtown Dover, Delaware, with three days of painting options, culminating in an artwork exhibition, competition, and sales to the public.

Participating Paint Dover! artists from around the region take to the streets, parks, sidewalks and outdoor cafes to participate in this annual event in the cooler fall season. Inspired by downtown Dover’s architectural landscape, historic commercial buildings, gardens and scenery, artists quickly capture changing light and shadows, and the “spirit” of downtown Dover. The community is invited to watch artists paint outdoors throughout the three days, attend the exhibition, and purchase artwork. Over $1,000 in awards are presented! An extended exhibition takes place virtually and downtown.