Hagley Museum near Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Industrial Power
The Brandywine River drops 33 feet from the upper dam at Eleutherian Mills to the dam visible here. This potential power led E. I. du Pont to locate his gunpowder works here. The du Ponts built dams and raceways to carry water to waterwheels and turbines. The powder works depended mainly on waterpower during 120 years of operation. Until the coming of steam power, industrial operations were largely confined to the banks of the Brandywine. With the installation of steam engines in the 1850s new areas of the property were opened to mill construction.
The use of steam power expanded after the opening of a steam plant (on the hill above) in 1884.
With the development of hydroelectric power in the 1890s the river became another primary power source. In 1900, turbines in the gray building to the right used waterpower to generate electricity for lighting mills, offices, homes and churches.
Erected by Hagley Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.
Location. 39° 46.57′ N, 75° 34.597′ W. Marker is near Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Hagley Museum. Marker is on Hagley Creek Road, on the left when traveling south. Marker is on the Hagley Museum grounds, reachable on foot or by tram after paying the entrance fee. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Hagley Creek Road, Wilmington DE 19807, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Brandywine River Powder Mills (a few steps from this marker); Transmitting Power With Line Shafts and Gears (within shouting distance of this marker); Site O: Power Plant (within shouting distance of this marker); Explosion of 1920 (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Power of Powder / Press House Operations (about 700 feet away); Missile Map of January 2, 1920 Explosion (about 700 feet away); Workers' Housing Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brandywine Manufacturer's Sunday School (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.
Also see . . . Hagley Museum and Library. (Submitted on September 1, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.