Hagley Museum near Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Settling on the Brandywine
E. I. found a location that met the requirements for starting his black powder company. In 1802, he purchased 65 acres along the Brandywine River that already included a dam and Mill race to run his water-powered machinery. He named the site Eleutherian Mills.
Eleutherian Mills was just north of Wilmington, a port City with connections to Philadelphia, New York, and the wider world. This allowed DuPont to bring raw materials in and ship products out. It was also far enough from the city to reduce the risks of making explosions near a population center.
Philadelphia, then the center of American finance, was only a few hours away. This meant E. I. had access to capitalthe money needed to start and expand his business.
Wilmington also had an existing French-speaking community. The du Ponts benefitted from a sense of shared culture and language in their new home.
The Brandywine also offered significant natural resources that E. I. needed for the manufacture of black powder.
Erected by Hagley Museum and Library.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce •
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Location. 39° 46.65′ N, 75° 34.447′ W. Marker is near Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Hagley Museum. It can be reached from Hagley Creek Road north of Blacksmith Hill Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 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, 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: Starting the DuPont Company (here, next to this marker); Natural Resources (here, next to this marker); Leaving France / Arriving in America (here, next to this marker); Ιleuthθre Irιnιe du Pont (here, next to this marker);
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
