Location: Wilmington
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Top 7 History Museums in Wilmington, Delaware (DE)
Wilmington, Delaware was first settled by the Swedish in 1638. Over time, the area has also been home to the Dutch, the British and the Quakers, a long diverse history that has left its mark on the surrounding area. Visit Fort Christina and experience what it was like to be one of the first colonists in Wilmington. The Delaware Art Museum, with a extensive collection of American art, celebrates the Brandywine School, a style of painting named for the nearby Brandywine Creek.
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1. Hagley Museum And Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 773 reviews
Hagley is the former industrial site of the original black powder works of the DuPont Company founded in Delaware in 1802 and powered by the natural resources that surrounded it. Today, it is 235 acres of wooded rolling hills along the rushing Brandywine River dotted with hundreds of stone ruins of the black powder industry, dozens of restored buildings associated with the business, and the first du Pont family home built in America. Here, for more than 200 years, the DuPont Company and family experimented, innovated, and pursued the American Dream. Hagley has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1972. The site is a National Historic Landmark, National Recreation Trail, and a Historic Engineering Landmark.
Reviewed By JPGPhilly - Worcester, United States
Hagley is a gem and definitely worth a visit, even during the abbreviated winter tour schedule. our tour was memorable in large part due to the wit and wisdom of our tour guide / interpreter - Rodney. the tour encompasses two parts - the beginnings of the DuPont fame and fortune as black powder makers and their first manor house on site. honestly Winterthur and Nemours are more impressive, but it all began here at Hagley and the black powder making process is unique. there is a restored and working 19th century water powered machining building on site that is fascinating
2. Nemours Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 673 reviews
Opening April 1st, 2021 Owned and developed by our founder, Alfred I. duPont (1864-1935), Nemours Estate comprises an exquisite 77-room Mansion, the largest formal French gardens in North America, a Chauffeur's Garage housing a collection of vintage automobiles used on the Estate, and nearly 200 acres of scenic woodlands, meadows and lawns.
Reviewed By rochelleforster - Randolph, United States
We had a few hours before our return home and stopped at this museum. Given the cold weather, we toured the house. It is worth taking a guided tour as we learned so many interesting facts about the family, their possessions and the history of the estate. The furnishings are intact to the time when the family lived here which makes it so neat. And Alfred DuPont was way ahead of his time in so many ideas he created for the house and the things he put into it, like a back up generator; controls in his bathroom to make sure tings were working properly; bottling his water, 2 tanks with 1 for back up and so on. Fascinating to hear the stories too.
3. Rockwood Park & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By retired605 - Newark, United States
I thoroughly enjoyed our private tour with Leone for Newark History Museum volunteers. She was a wonderful guide and very passionate about the Museum. It was interesting hearing about the Shipley and Bringhurst families and the history of the estate - a part of Delaware history. I was amazed at the number of original artifacts that exist in the house and how impressive the restoration had been on a house that had been sitting untouched for 20 years. I would definitely recommend this tour whenever public tours begin again.
4. Delaware History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
In 2016 the Delaware History Museum reopened after extensive renovation. Come enjoy the exhibition, Delaware: One State, Many Stories! The exhibition is suitable for all ages. One of the most striking features of the renovation is a two-story glass connector linking the 18th-century Old Town Hall building to the Delaware History Museum and Jane and Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage. Now fully accessible, Old Town Hall is used for rotating exhibits and education programs.
5. Greenbank Mills & Philips Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Greenbank Mills & Philips Farm is a living history museum with tours and programs focusing on a variety of aspects of the Early Republic (1790-1830): the gristmill, the textile factory, and daily life at the 1794 Philips House and 19th century farm with heritage livestock. Open to the public the second Saturday of the month (April-October) from 11-3pm except holiday weekends. Greenbank Mills & Philips Farm is open through the week, year round, by reservation both for groups and individuals.
6. Delaware Military Museum
Overall Ratings
2.0 based on 1 reviews
The Delaware Military Museum is dedicated to recognizing the sacrifices of Delawareans for more than 350 years of military service to Delaware and the nation. With exhibits spanning the colonial era, to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts the museum offers a first-hand look at the artifacts, images, and stories of our service men and women. Library and archive.
7. Hendrickson House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
