History & Heritage

The First State

Delaware's heritage has been preserved for new generations to discover through living history programs, one-of-a-kind museums, digital public archives, nationally recognized historic sites, and designated State Parks.  Visitors can now learn about Delaware’s place in American History by following the Delaware History Trail—a unique collection of 36 significant historical sites that begin to tell of the story of the state that started the nation. 

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Georgetown Train Station

• 140 Layton Ave.
• Georgetown, DE 19947
• Phone: (302) 855-5750
• Visit Website
• Region: Sussex

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Governor Ross Mansion and Plantation

• 23669 Ross Station Road
• Seaford, DE 19973
• Phone: (302) 628-9500
• Visit Website
• Region: Sussex

Walk back into time when life was more gracious. Explore a complete Victorian Italianate mansion with slave quarters, barns, sheds and spacious grounds. Learn what life was like before the Civil War, see more »

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Greenbank Mills & Philips Farm

• 500 Greenbank Rd.
• Wilmington, DE 19801
• Phone: (302) 999-9001
• Visit Website
• Region: New Castle

Greenbank Mills and Philips Farm, a living history museum open Saturdays, April to November, and by appointment. Visitors investigate themes from the viewpoint of the Philips family, this creates a see more »

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Hagley Museum and Library

• 298 Buck Road East
• Wilmington, DE 19807
• Phone: (302) 658-2400
• Visit Website
• Region: New Castle

Located on 235 acres along the banks of the Brandywine River in Wilmington, Delaware, Hagley is the site of the gunpowder works founded by E. I. du Pont in 1802. Hagley Museum and Gardens is an see more »

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Hale-Byrnes House

• 606 Stanton-Christiana Rd.
• Newark, DE 19702
• Phone: (302) 737-5792
• Visit Website
• Region: New Castle

The Historic Hale-Byrnes House was the site of a Council of War on September 6, 1777, five days before the Battle of the Brandywine. The house was built during the eighteenth century. The oldest see more »

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Harrington Historical Society Museum

• 108 Fleming St.
• Harrington, DE 19952
• Phone: (302) 398-3698
• Region: Kent

The museum has a collection of memorabilia of Harrington. It also has the railroad complex on Hanley St. and includes the railroad tower, caboose and watchman’s hut. see more »

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Hiram Rodney Burton House

• 110 Shipcarpentar St.
• Lewes, DE 19958
• Phone: (302) 645-7670
• Visit Website
• Region: Sussex

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Historic Houses of Odessa

• Second and Main Sts
• Odessa, DE 19730
• Phone: (302) 378-4119
• Visit Website
• Region: New Castle

Five historic houses. Nearly 20 acres of surrounding property, outbuildings, and gardens. An outstanding private collection of household furnishings, fine and decorative arts. And programs and tours see more »

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Iron Hill Museum

• 1355 Old Baltimore Pk.
• Newark, DE 19702
• Phone: (302) 368-5703
• Visit Website
• Region: New Castle

The Iron Hill Museum is the primary resource for the study of human/natural history of the Iron Hill Area. Its programs, collections and library interpret the relationships between the people and the see more »

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John Dickinson Plantation

• 340 Kitts Hummock Rd.
• Dover, DE 19901
• Phone: (302) 739-3277
• Visit Website
• Region: Kent

Home of John Dickinson, one of the founding fathers of the United States, signer of the Constitution and "Penman of the Revolution." The Plantation features Dickinson's original 1740 brick home, see more »

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Johnson Victrola Museum

• 375 S. New St.
• Dover, DE 19901
• Phone: (302) 744-5055
• Visit Website
• Region: Kent

The Johnson Victoria Museum highlights the life and achievements of Delaware's native son. Eldridge Reeves Johnson, founder of the Victor Talking Machine Company. Through phonographs, memorabilia, see more »

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Judge Morris Estate

• 76 Polly Drummond Hill Rd.
• Newark, DE 19711
• Phone: (302) 761-6952
• Visit Website
• Region: New Castle

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Lewes Historical Society

• 110 Shipcarpenter St
• Lewes, DE 19958
• Phone: (302) 645-7670
• Visit Website
• Region: Sussex

The Lewes Historical Society began in 1961 as local residents identified a need to preserve Lewes' architectural heritage and for an organization to act as a steward for Lewes' past - a history that see more »

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Lightship Overfalls Maritime Museum

• Front St
• Lewes, DE 19958
• Phone: (302) 644-8050
• Visit Website
• Region: Sussex

The Lightship (floating lighthouse) Overfalls is a maritime treasure. The U.S. fleet of 179 has few survivors. This ship was saved by volunteers who explain the importance of keeping this segment of see more »

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Lombardy Hall Foundation

• 1611 Concord Pike
• Wilmington, DE 19803
• Phone: (302) 798-3828
• Region: New Castle

In 1968, the Lombardy Hall Foundation was chartered with the objective of restoring the Bedford house. A substantial financial gift was received from a couple interested in preserving its heritage, see more »

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Lewes Canalfront Park

• 211 Front Street
• Lewes, DE 19958
• Phone: (302) 645-2795
• Visit Website

The Lewes Canalfront Park features twenty-two new dock slips for recreational and commercial boating, launch area for canoes and kayaks, scenic overlooks for pedestrians and a playground. The park is see more »