If you love the history of Delaware, you'll want to visit the Hagley Museum and Library, where you'll see the early 1800s come alive inside the restored mills, gardens and DuPont family home. Take a look:
The Hagley Museum and Library is located at the site of the gunpowder works built by E.I. du Pont at the turn of the 19th century. You'll find it at 200 Hagley Creek Rd., Wilmington, DE 19807.
The museum sits on 235 acres, nestled on the banks of the Brandywine River.
In the DuPont: The Explosives Era exhibition, you'll learn about the history of the DuPont family...
...and see how black powder was made back in the early 1800s.
On the first floor of the museum, you'll learn about the Brandywine River, its first inhabitants, and how the river made the mill possible.
See models of the river and the mill that give you a glimpse of how the Brandywine's energy was harnessed to provide power for the entire operation.
Hop on the tour bus to drive up the hill to The Georgian-style DuPont home. It was completed in 1803, and five generations of the DuPont family lived here.
Take a guided tour of the home to see how the family lived, and get a close-up look at period furniture, American folk art, and even items that the family brought from France when they came to American in 1799.
You'll also tour the E. I. du Pont Gardens, which are full of colorful plants and flowers.
Visit the First Office. Built in 1837, this building served as the main office for the company for five decades. Check out the telegraph, business ledgers, and office machinery that helped the company run smoothly.
Take a stroll along the beautiful Brandywine Creek, through the powder yards.
This area includes more than a mile of mill buildings, equipment, and three dams.
You can watch demonstrations of the black powder roll mill - the only operational roll mill of its kind left in the country - see an 1870s steam machine, and witness a black powder explosion.
Thousands of people lived here during the 120 years that the mill was in operation. Visit the Worker's Hill Community, where docents will show you what life was like for the people who worked and made their homes here.
You'll want to spend the day exploring this beautiful museum, mill, home and gardens. It's open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..
For more information, visit the Hagley Museum and Library's website. Have you visited the Hagley Museum and Library? We'd love to hear about your visit!
For more great Delaware history, you'll want to take a look at these vintage photos to see what Delaware's small towns looked like 100 years ago.
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