Near Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Rockwood
Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008
1. Rockwood Marker
Rockwood Mansion was completed in 1854 as the retirement home of Wilmington native Joseph Shipley. Shipley amassed his fortune as a merchant banker while living in Liverpool, England. Joseph Shipley hired Liverpool architect George Williams to design a Rural Gothic style home similar to Shipley's country house in England. The gardens of Rockwood were designed to imitate nature. The rolling lawns, curving paths, and placement of trees were carefully planned to resemble an English country estate. In 1891 Joseph Shipley's great nephew Edward Bringhurst Jr. inherited the estate, and moved into Rockwood with his family the following year. The Bringhurst family extensively redecorated the interior of the Mansion. Members of the family inhabited the Mansion until 1972 when New Castle County obtained ownership. Rockwood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Erected 2006 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-165.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and
this page online
Location. 39° 46.345′ N, 75° 31.16′ W. Marker is near Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It can be reached from Washington Boulevard 0.2 miles south of Shipley Road. The marker is at the northwest corner of the parking lot of Rockwood Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 610 Shipley Rd, Wilmington DE 19809, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Edward's Playhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Ha-Ha (within shouting distance of this marker); Conservatory (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct
Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008
2. Rockwood Marker
Path leading to Mansion.
Also see . . .
1. Rockwood Mansion and Gardens. (Submitted on November 16, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
2. Rockwood - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.
Constructed between the years 1851 and 1857, the estate comprised a mansion house, porter's lodge, stable, carriage house, gardener's cottage, and 211 acres. As it exists today, it is an unusually complete and effective statement of early Victorian taste in the tradition of Andrew Jackson Downing and John Claudius Loudon. Designed in the rural Gothic style by the architect George Williams, the mansion house is a consummate statement of both early Victorian romanticism, and the picturesque merger of irregular architecture and naturalistic landscape.(Submitted on April 23, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware.)
Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008
3. Rockwood Mansion
Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, August 10, 2008
4. Conservatory
Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008
5. Fruit Cellar Descriptive Marker
This structure, dating from the 1850's provided storage for fruits and vegetables grown on the property. The cool, even temperatures of this underground vault kept fruits and vegetables fresh for an extended period of time, allowing Joseph Shipley to serve fresh pears in December. Contrary to its above-ground appearance, the two level interior extends between eight and ten feet into the ground.
Above: The fruit cellar in winter, about 1920.
Above: The fruit cellar in winter, about 1920.
Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008
6. Fruit Cellar
Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008
7. Remains of Edward's Playhouse
Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, November 7, 2008
8. The Lodge
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,234 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on January 21, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on November 16, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
