The Delaware History Museum – Wilmington, Delaware
Enter the world of the Delaware History Museum and find what exhibits are being shown at different times of the year to showcase the past. The Museum is located in a renovated art-deco Woolworth store so not only are the displays interesting to see but so is the building itself.
There are three galleries of changing interactive exhibits. You will be able to see those things that were used in everyday life, costumes, children’s toys, regional decorative arts, and paintings. We all know that George Washington was a big man (both physically and in history) and he greets you at the door of the gift shop. This statue stands nine feel tall and is a folk-art statue.
Hours: Closed: Sunday
Closed: Monday (except for pre-scheduled school tours)
Wednesday-Friday: 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closed major Holidays.
There is admission charged.
Old Town Hall is also part of the presentation of the history of Delaware. This building was constructed in 1798 and was the center of political and social activities for Wilmington during the mercantile-milling economy. This is a Federal-style structure, typical of the time.
The facility had the city’s meeting chambers, offices, and jail. It also served as the headquarters and gathering place for civic organizations and included a subscription library. The facility was where the area observed the death of George Washington in 1799. There were also dinners for the Marquis de Lafayette and President Andrew Jackson held here. Henry Clay’s body was laid in state in the Old Town Hall in 1851. He was a well known political figure of the time influencing presidents and policy for he future of the county.
Included in the area is the Willingtown Square where there are four historic buildings, dating form 1748 to the early 1800′s located. Although they are not open for tours the history of these buildings is worth taking a little time and looking at them while you are in the area. Willingtown Square is named after Thomas Willing, who in 1731 laid out the village that was to become the city of Wilmington. The houses found in Willingtown Square have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places
The Cook-Simms House was built in 1778 and at the time was in the heart of the downtown area of Wilmington. The building displays Flemish-bond brick with a belt course between the first and second floors.
The Coxe Houses were built in 1801. There are two houses that were built by Thomas Coxe, who owned a brickyard, for his two daughters. Built like Philadelphia "trinity" or "Band Box" houses then popular, each unit had only one room on each of its three floors. Members of the Coxe family lived in these houses until 1957.
Next is the Jacobs House built in 1748. It is a two story brick home with pent eaves. This house, too, has the Flemish bond brickwork with glazed headers and a molded water table.
Jacob and Obadiah Dingee Houses built in 1771 and 1773 are the final group included in this area. The houses were built side by side. They sued old-fashioned glassed headers on the Flemish bond bricks. The brothers were cabinet makers and probably used the first floor as a work shop and lived upstairs.
While you are in the area be sure to go visit the Read House in New Castle. Located in the heart of Delaware’s Colonial Capital on the Delaware River this is a building built in 1801 by the son of one of Delaware’s signers of the Declaration of Independence.
This is a 22 room, 14,000 square-foot mansion and was the largest house in Delaware when it was built. It cost the builder, George Read Jr., nearly $12,000 to build (that would be nearly $2.5 million today). The family portion of the house is very spacious while the servants areas are very cramped.
The house included elaborate hot-air roasting ovens and steam tables which were new technology at the time.
The house was carefully restored and furnished and ranks among the best house museums in the country.
Wander through the beautiful garden too. It is still intact after 150 years.
Hours: Wednesday-Friday:
11:00-4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00-4:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00-4:00 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
(except for prescheduled school groups)
Read House Winter Hours:
(January-February)
Saturdays: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Sundays: 11:00-4:00 P.M.
(Monday thru Friday
by appointment only)
Closed Major Holidays
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