By Dupont Museum Delaware opened with the help of volunteers. Their aim is to preserve artifacts belonging to the DuPont family while providing education about its history for public.
Hagley Museum still primarily centers on telling its family’s history, yet has expanded into American history and graduate study programs that are nationally-renowned.
History
Hagley Museum and Library is home to both DuPont Company and its family, but its story extends much further. Spanning 235 acres along Delaware’s Brandywine River in Wilmington, it houses both original gunpowder mills as well as family estate.
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Furthermore, its collection comprises an expansive research library tracing American business history from 18th to present-day; including over 5,000 patent models as a testament to America’s innovators and business leaders.
Hagley Museum and Library is an ideal destination for anyone with an interest in industrial history or Delaware history. Not only can visitors delve into its past as an industrial center that produced black powder for use by its workers’ community; visitors may also explore several historic buildings on site and tour Eleutherian Mills mansion; plus the recently installed Nation of Inventors exhibit showcasing hundreds of small “patent models” representing America’s great innovators!
One of the Museum of Natural History’s most exciting features is its world-class collections of plants, animals and seashells. Its bird collection contains over 2 million feathers while its mollusks make up one of North America’s largest mollusk collections. Established by John duPont of DuPont Chemical fortune and avid naturalist since childhood he began collecting specimens to build the museum from childhood on scientific expeditions as an adult.
Hagley Museum and Library was initially dedicated solely to documenting the history of duPont Company; this remains an integral component of its mission today; however, over time the museum has expanded to incorporate lesser known companies as well.
The museum has also responded to changing needs of its audience by creating programs to reach a wide variety of individuals. These programs emphasize the significance of preserving and celebrating non-Western objects like Persian-style rugs or Bombay ebony chairs; as well as advocating a multifaceted approach that extends beyond traditional interpretation methods – particularly relevant in an age when historic house museums may struggle to draw younger visitors.
Exhibits
The DuPont name is synonymous with American innovation. Established by a family of entrepreneurs in 1802 along the Brandywine Riverbanks, their legacy lives on at this 235-acre museum site, featuring nature-surrounded spots and du Pont family home as well as 5,000 patent models from American inventors outside their company’s walls.
John Eleuthere du Pont was an active naturalist and philanthropist before earning his doctorate in natural science, collecting seashells and bird eggs as part of his hobby collection that now ranks second-largest in North America.
Other exhibits explore the history and importance of this company in 19th-century America, while taking a walk along the Powder Yard Trail allows visitors to witness how black powder was manufactured by this company and used during war, blast mines to extract coal, cut canal and railroad paths or cut paths through forests and scrub.
Worker’s Hill Community Site offers another highlight. Here, period-dressed staff interpret the lives of workers living nearby the powder yards. In addition, visitors can explore ruins of former Company Town consisting of industrial buildings and homes.
As well as their physical exhibits, the museum also maintains an expansive online presence through educational videos and an array of resources on Delaware history such as yearbooks and documents. Furthermore, public programs are regularly hosted at the museum.
In the summer months, the museum offers special programs and events tailored specifically towards children and families, including an adult “Secret Garden Tour”, as well as an annual family program which showcases various aspects of its history.
Furthermore, temporary exhibitions showcasing art, technology, and innovation fill its expansive exhibition space; including sculpture gardens as well as galleries dedicated solely to artwork display.
Programs
Hagley Museum and Library sits on 235 acres along Wilmington’s Brandywine River and chronicles DuPont’s early history; founded by the du Pont family. DuPont produced black powder that powered guns in war, mines to extract coal, railroads and canals – as well as creating paths through woodlands for railroads and canals.
Today, its research library boasts a growing collection of business records while its primary focus remains the story of du Pont family members.
Visitors of the museum are encouraged to explore and interact with objects on display and ask staff any questions that arise. Costumes and props help encourage this interaction, as does showing visitors that museum staff members are eager to share their knowledge.
Most programs at museums are free and open to the public, though reservations are strongly advised. A program schedule can be found on their websites or purchased directly by calling ahead; tickets can also be bought online through ticketsnavigator.
The programs cover an array of subjects related to military aviation history as presented by knowledgeable interpreters.
Some programs at the museum are tailored toward children, while others target adults. Their educational offerings provide invaluable resources for school groups and community organizations, while their staff is committed to creating an unforgettable experience for visitors – something recognized by Delaware state authorities.
The museum hosts numerous cultural events and concerts each year. Concerts feature local musicians and bands on an equipped stage; after the performances are often followed by receptions for artists and their families.
A few popular cultural events that the museum holds include classical music concerts and jazz festivals; additionally it provides educational programs on American history and culture.
Admission
Delaware State Parks offer visitors an abundance of picturesque ocean beaches, inland ponds, forests, rolling hills and piedmont streams for day trip exploration or surf fishing adventures.
When purchasing a day pass or surf fishing permit from them, your funds go directly into supporting Delaware’s natural heritage as the fees remain within their parks and play an essential role in protecting open space, wildlife habitats and recreation opportunities while offering visitor assistance and education services to park visitors.
Hagley Museum and Library
Hagley has earned itself a place on USA Today’s “10 Best” readers’ choice lists for good reason; it demonstrates how the DuPont family made history.
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Spanning over 235 acres, Hagley features historic structures, captivating demonstrations and historical grandeur to fascinate visitors of all ages. Whether taking in its home tour, gunpowder mill tour, rotating exhibits or rotating exhibitions; Hagley will enchant any visitor.
Reconstructed 1890s village and rotating exhibitions featuring 12,000 artifacts educate families about Delaware farm history and 19th-century life in Powering Inventions, while children can climb aboard authentic tractors from Powering Inventions while engaging with hands-on exhibits such as climbing onto buggies or conducting bands with instruments found around the farm.
Regional Journey Gallery: Explore deciduous and mixed forests, wetlands, salt marshes and beaches through an interactive floor map of your region. At Ellice & Rosa McDonald Foundation PaleoZone you can examine fossils from the Cretaceous Period including bones of flying “bat lizard” dinosaurs as well as larger aquatic Mosasaurs – an experience not to be missed!
Winterthur Museum and Garden occupies 1,000 acres of preserve land, featuring an acclaimed 60-acre naturalistic garden ranked among America’s finest. Complementing its historic home and gardens are rotating exhibits and an acclaimed research library; additionally there is the Rest, Relax and Recharge Cafe providing healthy prepackaged sandwiches, salads and snacks from Jamestown Catering; coffee, water and other beverages can also be purchased here.
In addition to this there is the Delaware Community Foundation Respite Room that provides dedicated calming space for visitors with sensory challenges or developmental disabilities as well as providing private options for nursing parents – additional improvements include revamped meeting, event and temporary exhibit spaces as well as improvements at Winterthur!
