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

Lombardy Hall

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, January 9, 2016

1. Lombardy Hall Marker

Inscription. In 1682, William Penn granted 986 acres of land at this location to Valentine Hollingsworth. A portion of the tract was subsequently conveyed to the Robinson family in 1726. The present stone dwelling was erected here circa 1750. In 1785, Gunning Bedford, Jr., signer of the United States Constitution, agreed to purchase the house and surrounding land from Charles Robinson. Bedford constructed an addition on the south side of the home and named his estate Lombardy Hall. He resided here until his death in 1812. The property remained in the possession of the Bedford family until 1848. On September 21, 1967, Lombardy Hall was purchased by the Granite Masonic Hall Company. The Lombardy Hall Foundation was established the following year to preserve the home of this Delaware patriot and prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. In 1972, the site was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1974, Lombardy Hall was designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Erected 2008 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-197.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, the National Historic Landmarks

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, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1682.

Location. 39° 46.895′ N, 75° 32.677′ W. Marker is near Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Lombardy Cemetery. It can be reached from Concord Pike, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1611 Concord Pike, Wilmington DE 19803, 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: Gunning Bedford, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Jewish Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Blue Ball Barn (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Blue Ball Milk House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The "Pink" Murphy House (approx. 0.6 miles away); duPont Carillon Tower (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fairfax, Delaware (approx. 0.7 miles away); Water Tower (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. Delaware Public Archives. Though the marker itself is labelled "NC-197", the Delaware Public Archives lists it as being re-numbered to "NC-197A" on their website. (Submitted on April 30, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

2. Lombardy Hall - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.

In 1785 (deed recorded in 1793) Gunning Bedford,
Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, January 9, 2016

2. Lombardy Hall
Jr., purchased the 250 acres and the small stone house from Charles Robinson. He expanded the house and made extensive improvements of the farm. He kept his house and office in town at 606 Market St., Wilmington. This was during the years of his greatest accomplishments, and it is recorded that the entertainment and hospitality at Lombardy for distinguished guests, often from abroad, were in the finest tradition.

(Submitted on April 23, 2025, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

Lombardy Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, January 9, 2016

3. Lombardy Hall

Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 917 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 9, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.