Delaware City, Delaware

Step inside New Jersey's oldest active courthouse, built in 1735, and imagine the trials held within its walls. This building has been the seat of justice in Salem County for almost three centuries. Constructed in 1735,…

Ever wondered how ships get from the Delaware River to the Chesapeake Bay without going all the way around the Delmarva Peninsula? You're driving right alongside the answer! This isn't just a ditch; it's a 14-mile-long…

The twin suspension spans connecting Delaware to New Jersey are dedicated to veterans of all wars.

Ever wonder what life was like for the rich and powerful right before the American Revolution? Step back in time at this meticulously preserved 18th-century Georgian house, offering a glimpse into the life of a wealthy…

Ever wonder what a 19th-century road trip looked like? You're driving on a piece of history right now! This very ground was once a vital artery, part of one of America's earliest railroads. Back in the 1830s, the New…

The Battle of Cooch's Bridge on September 3, 1777, was the only Revolutionary War battle fought on Delaware soil.

Look at that stunning dome! This church, St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, tells a powerful story of hope and new beginnings for thousands of immigrants. Before World War I, Wilmington saw an incredible surge of…

Ever wondered what it was like to cruise the Delaware River a hundred years ago? Right here in Wilmington, a magnificent steamboat named the State of Pennsylvania was born in 1923. She was built alongside her identical…

Before William Penn, before the Dutch, the Swedes were here. The colony of New Sweden established Fort Christina on the banks of the Christina River in 1638, making it the first permanent European settlement in the…

Ever wondered how trains zip through Wilmington without getting tangled in traffic? Look up! You're driving right alongside the answer: the magnificent Wilmington Rail Viaduct. This isn't just a bridge; it's a nearly…

Quaker abolitionist Thomas Garrett helped nearly 2,700 enslaved people escape to freedom through Wilmington.

Ever wonder where the first Swedish settlers in North America decided to drop anchor? It was right here! Fort Christina marks the spot where they established their initial foothold. In 1638, Peter Minuit, yes, *that*…

Ever wondered where Methodism took root in Wilmington? You're about to discover its very first home. Old Asbury Methodist Church, standing tall since 1789, is where the city's Methodist journey began. Imagine this: it’s…

The University of Delaware's roots go back to 1743, when a Presbyterian minister named Francis Alison opened a small school in New London, Pennsylvania. That school moved and evolved, receiving a charter from the state…

Ever wonder where decisions that shaped a city were made? You’re passing one of those places right now: Wilmington's Old Town Hall, built in 1798. This isn't just an old building; it was the beating heart of Wilmington…

Ever wonder what a whole neighborhood built on quiet conviction looks like? You're driving through it right now! This isn't just any old residential area; it's Quaker Hill, a living testament to Wilmington's deep Quaker…

This opulent building, once the headquarters of the DuPont company, showcases the ambition and power of one of America's most influential families. Built in 1908, this was one of Wilmington’s first high-rises, looking…

Everyone knows Paul Revere's ride, but Caesar Rodney's was arguably more consequential. On July 1, 1776, Delaware's two delegates in Philadelphia were split — Thomas McKean voted for independence, George Read voted…

Imagine a world where crossing the Delmarva Peninsula by water required a climb! That's where the Old Lock Pump House comes in. Built starting in 1837, this pump house was crucial for the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal.…

Pull over, and let's step back into the gritty reality of the American Revolution right here! Imagine thousands of weary Continental Army soldiers, right where you're standing, preparing for one of the most pivotal…

Ever wondered where the magic happened for some of America's most iconic illustrators? You're driving right by it! This unassuming building holds the echoes of artistic genius, where students of famed illustrator Howard…

Ever wondered what a boomtown looked like in the 1800s? Welcome to South Chesapeake City, a historic district that practically exploded with life during the canal's peak in the mid-19th century. This area reflects the…

The Delaware Art Museum exists because of one man's death and another man's obsession. When Howard Pyle, the father of American illustration, died in 1911, his Wilmington students and admirers founded a gallery to…

Pull over for a sec! You're about to pass a place where centuries of travelers found rest and refreshment, known by many names, including the Oak Hill Inn and Sign of the Three Tons. This building, now a private…

Alfred Irénée du Pont built Nemours in 1910 to impress his second wife, Alicia, and to spite his family. He'd been ousted from the DuPont company board in a bitter power struggle with his cousins, and he responded by…

Look out your window, because you're about to explore the haunting ruins of Bancroft Mills, a site that witnessed the rise and fall of early American industry, right here along the Brandywine. This wasn't just any mill;…

Eleuthère Irénée du Pont arrived in America in 1800 and was appalled by the quality of American gunpowder. He'd studied under Lavoisier at the French royal powder works, so he knew what good powder looked like. In 1802…

Ever wonder what a piece of Victorian England looks like in Delaware? That's Rockwood Museum and Park! Built between 1851 and 1854, this estate was the vision of banker Joseph Shipley. He wanted a country retreat in the…

Right here, you're near the birthplace of a company that would change America: DuPont. In 1802, Eleuthère Irénée du Pont, a French immigrant, established Eleutherian Mills on the Brandywine River. He started…

Look out your window! You're approaching a house built by a man who literally signed the U.S. Constitution, Jacob Broom. Jacob Broom, one of Delaware's Founding Fathers, built this very house in 1795. It was his home…

Ever wonder what religious freedom looked like before America was even America? You're driving right by a living piece of that history! This is Old Bohemia, St. Francis Xavier Church, a quiet spot that was once a…

Pull over here for a minute. This old building is more than just a pretty face. It's Lunn's Tavern, and for over two centuries, it's been a landmark in this area. This tavern was a gathering place for locals and…

Ever wondered what it's like to live among a national treasure? You're about to find out! Winterthur is home to one of the richest collections of Americana in the United States. It's truly a sight to behold. This grand…

Henry Francis du Pont had a problem most people would envy. He'd spent decades obsessively collecting American furniture, silver, textiles, and ceramics — roughly 90,000 objects spanning 1640 to 1860. His family estate…

The Brandywine Valley produced three generations of America's most beloved painters. Howard Pyle, the father of American illustration, established his school here in the late 1890s. His student N.C. Wyeth moved to…

Ever wonder where that familiar pinch of snuff came from? Look no further than this complex, where snuff tobacco was produced for over a century. The Garrett family brought snuff manufacturing to Delaware, establishing…

Ever wonder where that pinch of snuff came from? Well, you're driving right into the heart of an industrial empire that once dominated the snuff tobacco world! This isn't just any old mill; the Garrett Snuff Mills were…

Ever heard of a town built on a radical idea? That's Arden, Delaware. Founded in 1900 by sculptor Frank Stephens and architect William Lightfoot Price, Arden was envisioned as a Georgist single-tax community. Think…

Ever wondered what school was like for kids way back in the 1800s? This little stone schoolhouse, built in 1805 on land donated by Founding Father John Dickinson, offers a remarkable glimpse into early American…

Ever wondered who brought your favorite classic characters to life before movies existed? You're approaching the home of one of America's first superstar illustrators! This is the Darley House, or as its owner, Felix…

Imagine life in the early 18th century at this well-preserved English-style log cabin. The Harlan Log House, built around 1715 by Joshua Harlan, offers a glimpse into that era. Joshua was the son of George Harlan, who…

Pull over for a second; this little bend in the Brandywine River isn't just scenic, it's historic! For generations, this spot was home to Twaddell's Mill and House, a bustling center of activity. Back in the day, the…

Ever wondered what a town looks like when it’s practically a living museum? Smyrna is your answer. This historic district isn't just a handful of old buildings; it's 850 of them, giving you a deep dive into what life…

Imagine horse-drawn carriages crossing this now-gone covered bridge, a relic of a bygone era. The Rudolph and Arthur Covered Bridge, located in Chester County, Pennsylvania, was a beloved landmark for many years. The…

Ever wondered where Delaware’s early leaders lived? Right here, at Belmont Hall, you're looking at the former home of Thomas Collins, Delaware's eighth governor! He built this elegant Georgian house around 1773. Collins…

Experience the serenity of this historic Quaker meeting house near where William Penn first landed. This area near Chester was one of the earliest areas settled by Quakers in Pennsylvania. The original Chichester…

Prepare to be transported to the heart of American illustration! This is where N.C. Wyeth, the man who defined adventure for generations, lived and worked. In 1911, Wyeth built this house and studio in Chadds Ford. For…

Get ready to rumble across a piece of Chester County history! This is the Glen Hope Covered Bridge. Built in 1889, this 65-foot Burr truss bridge was a vital link for folks needing to cross Little Elk Creek. It's likely…

Delaware has the only circular state boundary in the United States, and it exists because of a jurisdictional accident from the 1680s. When King Charles II granted William Penn the land that became Pennsylvania in 1681,…