Home of John G. Townsend, Jr.

Constructed in 1904, this was the residence of John G. Townsend, Jr. (1871-1964), an agricultural pioneer and statesman whose public career included service as Governor of Delaware from 1917 to 1921, United States Senator from 1929 to 1941, and a member of the delegation to the first session of the United Nations General Assembly in 1946. As governor, he fought for reform and modernization of Delaware’s education and transportation systems. In the Senate, he was an architect of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and other New Deal-era programs that reformed and rebuilt the nation’s banking industry. He was also a business leader who found success as a lumberman, farmer, strawberry broker, orchardist, canner, banker, and contractor, and he was one of the pioneers of the Delmarva poultry industry. His personal magnetism drew many friendships, and people from all walks of life came here to visit him, including former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and future President Richard Nixon. After his death, the Townsend family donated the home to the Selbyville Public Library.

Selbyville, Delaware · United States