Hagley Museum near Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Powder Yard

— Eleutherian Mills Hagley Yard —

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 6, 2023

1. The Powder Yard Marker

Inscription.
This site was once part of the largest manufactory of gunpowder in the United States. The DuPont Company built this second powder yard on the Hagley property, purchased in 1813, when the original 1803 mills operating upstream could no longer meet the increasing demand for gunpowder. The operation was expanded again in 1837. That location, downstream and on the opposite side of the Brandywine, evolved in to the DuPont Experimental Station, the research center where such products as nylon, Tyvek, Kevlar, Corian, and Nomex were created.

At the height of production in the Hagley Yard, thirty-three mills were in operation. Today, some mills have been restored to operating condition, some adapted for exhibits and museum activities, and others stabilized to prevent further deterioration.

The complete powder making process is illustrated by dioramas in the Millwright Shop.

Erected by Hagley Museum and Library.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1813.

Location. 39° 46.682′ N, 75° 34.44′ W. Marker is near Wilmington, Delaware,

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in New Castle County. It is in Hagley Museum. It can be reached from Hagley Creek Road south of Blacksmith Hill Road, on the right when traveling north. It is on the Hagley Museum property, reachable on foot or by tram after paying the entrance fee, on the walkway between the millrace and the mills buildings. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Hagley Creek Rd, Wilmington DE 19807, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic

and on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Eagle Roll Mills (a few steps from this marker); The DuPont Company Grows Quickly (within shouting distance of this marker); Beyond the Brandywine (within shouting distance of this marker); Sourcing Materials (within shouting distance

The Powder Yard and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 6, 2023

2. The Powder Yard and Marker

The stone buildings are the powder mills. The millrace is out of frame on the right. Water flows beneath the pathway to wheels or turbines that are located between every two buildings, powering the buildings on its left and its right.

of this marker); Rocks (within shouting distance of this marker); Water (within shouting distance of this marker); Roll Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); J.E. Rhoads & Sons of Delaware Tanbark Stone (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for Eleutherian Mills. Excerpt:

From 1802 to 1921, Eleutherian Mills was a gunpowder mill site used for the manufacture of explosives founded by Eleuthère Irénée du Pont, which grew into the DuPont company. The name also refers to the house on the hill above the mills, which was the first du Pont family home in America. ...

Starting initially by reworking damaged gunpowder and refining saltpetre for the U.S. government, he quickly moved into gunpowder manufacture. ... The first domestic supplies of high-quality gunpowder in the U.S. were made here. By the end of 1804, DuPont had sold 39,000 pounds of powder; the following year, sales tripled. The federal government and John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company became regular customers. In 1813, the Hagley property, just downstream from
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 6, 2023

3. Powder Yard Millrace
the original mills, was purchased, doubling the size and capacity of the mills. ...

Between 1802 and 1921 there were 288 explosions leading to the deaths of 228 people. The three most deadly and remembered explosions occurred in 1818, 1890 and 1915. ... Another explosion in 1857 fatally injured five employees, including company partner Alexis Irénée du Pont.

(Submitted on June 13, 2023.)

Water Turbine Powering Two Mills image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 6, 2023

4. Water Turbine Powering Two Mills

The pipe carrying the water downhill from the millrace pokes through the retaining wall and into the turbine.

A Mill House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 6, 2023

5. A Mill House

Each building has three very thick stone stone wall sides, with the fourth side open, facing the creek. The lack of a fourth wall and a flimsy sloped roof is part of the design so that accidental explosions are directed towards the creek and away from workers and other buildings in the yard. Brandywine Creek can be seen in the distance on the right.

A Section of the Hagley Powder Yard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 6, 2023

6. A Section of the Hagley Powder Yard

A water wheel can be seen in the center distance. In the center is a blast wall, protecting the yard from the door to the mill.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 443 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 13, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.