Hagley Museum near Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Site A: Millwright Shop
Powder Yard Trail
of saltpetre take seven parts, five hazel charcoal, and five of sulphur, and you will make thunder and a bright light, if you know the trick.
Roger Bacon, circa 1249
Welcome to Hagley's Powder Yard Trail! The trail is designed to explain how the DuPont Company made blasting powder and gunpowder. You will also discover the function of many buildings and sites throughout the powder yards.
The process of manufacturing explosive powder can be broken down into three major phases: preparation, production, and packing. Throughout the trail you will see icons that will help identify which step in the process took place at each site.
Preparation includes procuring the three ingredients, refining those ingredients to remove impurities, and measuring the ingredients for each batch of powder.
Production includes mixing the three ingredients together, pressing the mixed black powder to increase its force, sorting the powder grains into different sizes for different uses, and drying any excess moisture in the powder.
Packing includes pouring the finished powder into kegs or bags, storing it in a magazine, and thenshipping it to DuPont customers all over the country.
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Before you start the trail, see all of the steps of black powder production by going through the exhibit in this building. Then take a Powder Yard Trail map and enjoy your walk through history!
Erected by Hagley Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1249.
Location. 39° 46.728′ N, 75° 34.415′ W. Marker is near Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Hagley Museum. It is at the intersection of Hagley Creek Road and Blacksmith Hill Road, on the right when traveling north on Hagley Creek Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 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
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Millwright Shop (here, next to this marker); Hagley Rocks! (a few steps from this marker); Stone Quarry (a few steps from this marker); Stone Boat (a few steps from this marker); The Powdermen (within shouting distance of this marker); Hercules "Type A" Turbine Water Wheel (within shouting distance of this marker); The Evolution of the Incorporating Process (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.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 219 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 11, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
