Historical Civil War–Era Hotel on Georgetown's Circle

In 1836, a large brick structure was built in Georgetown, Delaware, on the town's circle, and it was soon converted into The Union Hotel. When the Civil War broke out, Union supporters co-opted the hotel as their unofficial clubhouse, gathering there before taking to the streets to scuffle with Confederate sympathizers. In the years since, the building has served as a county courthouse, a post office, and a bank before it was fully restored and reopened in 2008 as Brick Hotel On The Circle. Today, the hotel serves as a welcoming home base for exploring Georgetown’s historic buildings and antique stores.

Each of Brick Hotel’s 14 guest rooms is furnished individually with antiques such as period bedsteads and old-fashioned clocks. Daisy stained-glass wall art decorates the Lazy Daisy room, and the Mayor's Manor—a tongue-in-cheek nod to the innkeeper's short stint as Georgetown's mayor—incorporates a pineapple motif as a symbol of hospitality and a celebration of prickly fruit. In the hotel’s original section, a few rooms offer a small fireplace and views overlooking the circle.

After settling in, head downstairs to Brick Hotel's in-house tavern and restaurant—open Tuesday through Saturday—to enjoy cold ale served with seared scallops or Maryland crab cakes. The restaurant’s winter menu also encompasses burgers topped with blue cheese and flat-iron steak. When the restaurant opens, the chef whips up a treat and then picks a specific wine to pair with it, and on Thursdays, Brick Hotel hosts an afternoon tea where you can nibble on scones, cream puffs, and an assortment of sandwich samples ($18–$24/person; reservations required).

Georgetown, Delaware: Charming Colonial-Era Town

Located in southern Delaware, across Delaware Bay from New Jersey, Georgetown was laid out in a mile-diameter circle in 1791, starting with the town square. Historical buildings are everywhere—opposite Brick Hotel On The Circle is the stately white tower of the Sussex County Courthouse, and there are several more notable buildings within a short walk from the hotel. Downtown Georgetown is lined with shops and churches, including the 1794 St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

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