Site of famous tavern of Revolutionary days known as "The Sign of the Ship." John Marshall was then innkeeper. Officers of Continental Army were quartered here. Washington, Lafayette, Aaron Burr and Commodore Perry were among its distinguished . . . — — Map (db m140394) HM WM
In August 1958, Wilmington City Councilman and Civil Rights activist William “Dutch” Burton worked with the NAACP to expose the racially discriminatory practices of the Eagle Coffee Shoppe. The restaurant was located on this site in a . . . — — Map (db m140547) HM
Barrels, kegs, tubs, buckets, and other types of wooden containers were made by coopers in workshops similar to this. For storing and transporting bulk goods, both wet and dry, the cooper's wares were in widespread use on a farm, in the home, in . . . — — Map (db m231933) HM
In 1684, William Penn deeded this property to Adam Stedham, who built a small two-room stone house on the land. Stedham's son, William, expanded the house into the Crooked Billet Tavern in 1702. George Washington and his troops stopped at the tavern . . . — — Map (db m243658) HM
Francis Irénée du Pont (1873-1942) began developing this site as an experimental laboratory for his newly-created Delaware Chemical Engineering Company in 1915. Du Pont used the lab to continue his research with smokeless gunpowder and other . . . — — Map (db m140577) HM
[1st plaque]
Eleutherian Mills
This is Eleutherian Mills, where E.I. du Pont built his home in 1803. Here also is the restoration of E.I. du Pont's garden, as well as a workshop, vehicle and weather vane exhibits in the Barn,
and the . . . — — Map (db m213322) HM
In 1875 the Delaware General Assembly enacted legislation requiring the racial segregation of public places such as train stations, hotels, and restaurants. For most of the next century this practice was strictly enforced. Established at this . . . — — Map (db m10920) HM
Born in Alexandria, Virginia, relocated to 203 E. 10th Street, Wilmington, Delaware. Redding graduated from Howard High School in 1919, and with honors from Brown University in 1923. After college, Redding taught in Florida, and at Morehouse . . . — — Map (db m217947) HM
On February 4, 1807, the General Assembly of the State of Delaware passed an act modeled after the charter of the Bank of the United States “to establish a Bank…under the name of the Farmers’ Bank of the State of Delaware.” On January . . . — — Map (db m160728) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m13612) HM
Built in 1914 to process milk for Alfred I. duPont's Nemours Estate, this small building was a fine match for the expensive barn nearby. In addition to an office, it had a coal stove, sink for washing bottles and equipment, and an ice box room. . . . — — Map (db m185413) HM
Willingtown Square honors Thomas Willing and the original name of the town he helped found in 1731. The four brick structures, built between 1748 and 1801, represent the types of houses common in early Willingtown. Buildings like these often . . . — — Map (db m165576) HM
Not Just Workers, But Family
For as long as this was a family business, workers at Bancroft Mills were treated as members of the family. Long before workers had any rights, Joseph Bancroft and his sons provided decent wages and benefits not . . . — — Map (db m240816) HM
An oasis within the city
Welcome to Alapocas Run Park, a part of Wilmington State Parks. The park began in 1910 when William Poole Bancroft donated 123 acres along the banks of Brandywine River to the city of Wilmington. In the years since, . . . — — Map (db m240818) HM
What you see before you is Bancroft Mills. At one time, this was one of the most important local businesses and a textile center of national and global significance. Founded by Joseph Bancroft in 1831, Bancroft Mills flourished for more than a . . . — — Map (db m240812) HM
Bancroft Mills became a leading manufacturer through one family's business sense and Quaker values.
The Founder
Joseph Bancroft was both a devout Quaker and a wise businessman. By keeping his company up-to-date on new trends and . . . — — Map (db m240759) HM
This millstone for many years was used in the
Richardson Mill, located along Little Mill
Creek about 100 yards from this spot.
This mill site was one of the first used in Delaware.
From before 1684 until 1923 mills were in operation in this . . . — — Map (db m196508) HM
This property, now known as the Cauffiel Estate, was purchased in 1910 by Daniel Cauffiel, the chief real estate advisor to T. Coleman DuPont and the DuPont Company. Cauffiel bought this 44-acre estate as a summer home for his wife Elizabeth and . . . — — Map (db m226404) HM
• Breed dates back to at least 3,500 years ago.
• Produces up to 5 pounds of wool per shearing.
🏠 Origin: Turkey
💡 Known for wool used for mohair fabrics. — — Map (db m191245) HM
Ruffed lemurs plant trees! Undigested fruit seeds fall to the ground in their feces, which is good fertilizer. The future of forests depends on them.
World's Largest Pollinator!
Pollen gets stuck to the "ruffs" on fur around this . . . — — Map (db m191236) HM
Ruffed lemurs plant trees! Undigested fruit seeds fall to the ground in their feces, which is good fertilizer. The future of forests depends on them.
World's Largest Pollinator!
Pollen gets stuck to the "ruffs" on fur around this . . . — — Map (db m216037) HM
Ruffed lemurs plant trees! Undigested fruit seeds fall to the ground in their feces, which is good fertilizer. The future of forests depends on them.
World's Largest Pollinator!
Pollen gets stuck to the "ruffs" on fur around this . . . — — Map (db m216042) HM
Black walnut nutmeats are used in candies, bread, and ice cream. The wood has been highly prized for furniture, gunstocks, and cabinets since Colonial times. — — Map (db m240739) HM
Demand for fur coats pushed many wild cats to the brink of extinction. Thanks to protective legislation, species like bobcats are rebounding.
Brandywine Zoo animal keepers train this bobcat and other zoo animals to voluntarily get in . . . — — Map (db m191218) HM
State Tree of Pennsylvania. Tannin was extracted from the bark for use in processing leather. Now synthetic products are used to "tan" leather. — — Map (db m240753) HM
the Lower Dam and North Short Millrace are two, mid-to-late 18th century structures associated with Wilmington's early industrial development. The structures supplied water power to a collection of commercial flour mills downstream known as the . . . — — Map (db m240740) HM
Radiated tortoises are one of more than 150,000 species found only in Madagascar. Like all tortoises, they serve as very important habitat role as "lawnmowers" and seed spreaders.
Over 50% of radiated tortoises have disappeared since . . . — — Map (db m191233) HM
Radiated tortoises are one of more than 150,000 species found only in Madagascar. Like all tortoises, they serve as very important habitat role as "lawnmowers" and seed spreaders.
Over 50% of radiated tortoises have disappeared since . . . — — Map (db m216043) HM
Though they look bear-like, red pandas are more closely related to racoons. The name panda likely comes from the Nepali word ponya, which means bamboo eater.
Red pandas were first classified by a French . . . — — Map (db m191228) HM
Numbers in Decline
Red panda populations have dropped by as much as 40% in the last 50 years, with fewer than 10,000 of this vulnerable species thought to remain in the wild.
Habitat Loss
The red panda habitat has been fragmented . . . — — Map (db m191219) HM
In the 1800s, snowy egret feathers were a coveted fashion decoration. They were so popular that by 1886 their white plumes cost $32 per ounce—which was twice the price of gold at the time!
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits . . . — — Map (db m216041) HM
Around 1740 water-powered mills began to appear in this area where the Brandywine River ends its journey falling 124 feet in its final five miles. Small vessels carrying grain from nearby farms sailed directly to the mills. Other ships laden with . . . — — Map (db m235147) HM
Built about 1760. Anthony Wayne's Headquarters 1777. Generals Washington, Lafayette, Wayne, and other officers met here to hold council and hear reports prior to the Battle of Brandywine. Later occupied by British. Joseph Tatnall owned and operated . . . — — Map (db m185987) HM
The Cool Spring Reservoir was designed by consulting civil engineer William E. Morris of Philadelphia and others as an open air reservoir formed by an earthen embankment and bordered by 10th and Van Buren Streets. Work on the Reservoir began in . . . — — Map (db m173923) HM
Ancient History
4000 BC
Ancient Sanskrit and Greek writings recommend water treatment methods, including filtering through charcoal, exposing water to sunlight, boiling, and straining.
1500 BC
To clarify water, Egyptians . . . — — Map (db m216060) HM
DuPont Environmental Education Center (DEEC), the centerpiece of Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge, was built by the Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware in 2009 and operates under a partnership with Delaware Nature Society. . . . — — Map (db m240837) HM
DuPont Environmental Education Center (DEEC), the centerpiece of Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge, was built by the Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware in 2009 and operates under a partnership with Delaware Nature Society. . . . — — Map (db m247615) HM
The Delaware estuary is the second largest freshwater port in the United States. It hosts the country's second largest concentration of petrochemical facilities. Shipping of petrochemicals and other products has revitalized ports along the . . . — — Map (db m191845) HM
Fox Point State Park is unique in Delaware's system of state parks. The park and its surroundings have a colorful history. As home to the Lenape Indians, the Swedes, Dutch, and English, it has been a hunting ground, farmland, a resort, and an . . . — — Map (db m191848) HM
This former dairy barn has been transformed. Today it is a visitor and conference center available for meetings, weddings and other special events.
The Blue Ball Barn is home to the Delaware Folk Art Collection, as well as an historical . . . — — Map (db m173286) HM
Forty Acres was established in 1864 as an early streetcar suburb of Wilmington. The area was once part of a larger land tract called Hope Farm. Joshua Heald purchased forty acres of the farm and developed the neighborhood and the first horse-drawn . . . — — Map (db m140542) HM
Kelly's Logan House
est. 1864
has been place on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior — — Map (db m216057) HM
E. I. du Pont purchased the property for the Hagley Yard in 1813. This building was constructed as a blacksmith shop sometime between that year and 1834, when it appeared on a property survey. For nearly 60 years the shop produced the forged . . . — — Map (db m231907) HM
E. I. du Pont and other Brandywine mill owners built this school in 1817. E. I. du Pont's daughter, Victorine, taught at this nondenominational school for 40 years and served as its superintendent. About 150 children attended every Sunday morning . . . — — Map (db m231917) HM
Founded by E.I. du Pont, the Brandywine Mills became the largest maker of explosive black powder in the United States. That success resulted directly from the firm's pioneering use of gunpowder processing machinery driven by water wheels and . . . — — Map (db m231885) HM
Located at this site on land purchased by French immigrant Elueuthere Irenee du Pont in 1802, the du Pont Powder Mills manufactured black powder at three sites along the Brandywine Creek north of Wilmington. E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company . . . — — Map (db m240854) HM
This pair of roll mills, built in 1839, produced the finest Eagle brand sporting powder. In 1886, an iron water turbine replaced the original wooden water wheel that powered the mills. In this step the ingredients sulphur, saltpeter, and charcoal . . . — — Map (db m193725) HM
You are standing near the site of the last major explosion to occur in the Hagley Yard. On January 2, 1920, more than 50,000 pounds of gunpowder exploded, killing five DuPont workers, destroying two building and damaging many others. Although it . . . — — Map (db m231902) HM
The foremen of the Hagley Yard and their families lived in this house for more than 50 years, following its construction by the company in 1846. John Stewart and his family were photographed in front of the house in 1885, the year he succeeded . . . — — Map (db m231912) HM
The common name for this rock is Wilmington Blue Rock, the name of the local minor league baseball team. It is formally called Brandywine Blue Gneiss (BBG).
The rocks in Hagley's quarries began forming about 550 million years ago. Large-scale . . . — — Map (db m231921) HM
In March of 1890 the DuPont Company purchased this state-of-the-art water turbine from the Holyoke Machine Company in Massachusetts. At that time, this turbine represented cutting edge technology that increased the efficiency and output of the . . . — — Map (db m193728) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m231883) HM
This Tanbark stone came from J.E. Rhoads & Sons of Delaware. Founded in 1702 in Chester County, Pa. as a leather tannery, it is the oldest firm in the United States.
As shown above, the stone was rolled on its serrated edge to grind tanbark . . . — — Map (db m240909) HM
Powder yard gates separated the work place from home and family. Beyond the gates were the mills, where work was hard and often dangerous. Only the workers themselves were allowed inside. Children came there with lunch pails for their fathers, . . . — — Map (db m231920) HM
Power of Powder
When gunpowder ignites it becomes an expanding gas that generates a tremendous amount of force. If the gas is contained in an enclosed space it can blow apart its container as it expands. One ounce of gunpowder has enough . . . — — Map (db m231898) HM
Incorporating is a crucially important process in making powder. Here, under roll wheels weighing sixteen tons, sulphur and charcoal are forcibly ground together with the saltpeter. How well this is done determines the quality of the powder. . . . — — Map (db m240859) HM
…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
From 1884 until the powder mills closed in 1921, this building, and a now missing brick annex, housed three steam boilers and a Corliss steam engine. When water in the Brandywine was too low to operate the mills, the steam engine supplied power to . . . — — Map (db m240857) HM
Once a piece of stone was cut to size, the "STONE BOAT" (sled) was used to transport it to the
construction site. After loading the stone onto the boat utilizing the "DERRICK," this sled-like
implement would be harnessed to a horse and taken . . . — — Map (db m231926) HM
Stone was the most important building material used in the powder yards. It was quarried in great quantities for mills, race walls, barriers, dams, and foundations. Many small quarries like this one were opened on the property as stone was . . . — — Map (db m231925) HM
These buildings have been restored to their condition in 1885. They represent the highest level of development of roll mills and are, except for the source of power, identical to those in production throughout the world today. Many other methods . . . — — Map (db m240905) HM
This site was once part of the largest manufactory of gunpowder in the United States. The DuPont Company built this second powder yard on the Hagley property, purchased in 1813, when the original 1803 mills operating upstream could no longer meet . . . — — Map (db m225925) HM
Most of the men who worked in these mills were immigrants or the sons of immigrants. Many were Irish, but there were also English, French, and Italians. They walked to work each morning from their homes in villages bordering the powder yards. The . . . — — Map (db m226405) HM
The greatest attraction of this location as an industrial site was the power of the falling Brandywine River. In the early decades of the DuPont Company, mills were located close to the Brandywine, where waterpower could be directly harnessed. As . . . — — Map (db m231874) HM
Rows of attached three-story houses, called banks, were typical of workers' homes near the powder yards. These are foundations of such a bank which once adjoined the Gibbons House. The DuPont Company built the houses and rented them to . . . — — Map (db m231913) HM
Near this site the first grist mill was built about 1640 by Ashmond Stidham.
It was here that the "Old Barley Mill" was built in 1765.
This stone is the lone relic of these vanished mills. — — Map (db m191647) HM
Along this curve of the Brandywine, two brothers, Joshua and Thomas Gilpin, established the first paper mill in Delaware in 1787. Their high quality paper was handmade, one sheet at a time, from rags carted up from nearby Wilmington. In 1795, Thomas . . . — — Map (db m74278) HM
By 1767, Solomon Hersey was operating a merchant grist mill in this area along Red Clay Creek. The mill was purchased in 1835 by John Marshall. In the following year he expanded the operation to rolling mills and the settlement that came to be known . . . — — Map (db m43405) HM
During the American Revolution Lauzun's Legion spent the winter and spring of 1782-1783 in Wilmington to help guard Philadelphia and Baltimore from British attack. The troops were housed in the Wilmington Academy, located where the Grand Opera . . . — — Map (db m166673) HM
William Cook built this house at 101 East Fourth Street in what was then the heart of downtown Wilmington.
Dr. John Simms, who made and sold herbal medicines, bought the house in 1840 to serve as his shop and residence. He updated the . . . — — Map (db m210786) HM
The Dingee brothers built their houses side by side at 105 and 107 East Seventh Street. Jacob's house, built first, uses old fashioned glaze-headed bricks. The brothers, both cabinetmakers, probably used the front rooms of the first floor as . . . — — Map (db m210787) HM
Delaware Stadium Corporation was established June 18, 1992 to develop, own, and operate a multi-purpose sports facility for the State of Delaware. Upon the dedication of this plaque, the DSC wishes to gratefully acknowledge . . . — — Map (db m243041) HM
By the late 1700s the institution of slavery was declining in Delaware and there was a dramatic growth in the state's free black population. Demand for slave labor in the Deep South continued to grow and large numbers of free blacks were . . . — — Map (db m215946) HM
In recognition of the vision, dedication and leadership of Michael S. Purzycki as the first Executive Director,
Riverfront Development Corporation
of Delaware
1996 - 2016 — — Map (db m191283) HM
"...the undertaking has resulted in great convenience to the traveling community..."
Reminisces of Wilmington, by Elizabeth Montgomery, 1851
Market Street has long been a major gateway into the city of Wilmington, but there . . . — — Map (db m130492) HM
"…when he was called on to speak he just shifted that cigar and spoke from the heart."
columnist Bill Frank on the death of his friend, Senator John E. Reilly, Sr., Wilmington Evening Journal, February 28, . . . — — Map (db m183457) HM
"… every convenience that could be thought of has been secured."
reported about the car built for Henry M. Flagler, in Every Evening, Wilmington, January 4, 1887
Born 14 December 1739 in Paris, France,
Died 7 August 1817 at Eleutherian Mills.
Leading Figure of the Enlightenment •
Educational Pioneer •
Physiocrat, Political Visionary, and Diplomat •
Knight of the Order of Vasa •
Devoted Patriot of . . . — — Map (db m225913) HM
Joseph Shipley built Rockwood between 1851 and 1854. A Wilmington native, Shipley amassed his fortune as a merchant and banker in Liverpool, England. In 1851 he retired to Wilmington and hired Liverpool architect George Williams to design a house . . . — — Map (db m191254) HM
This park honors John E. Babiarz, who over a long and distinguished career brought integrity, effective management, sensitivity and responsiveness to a series of responsible business and governmental positions.
Born in Wilmington in 1915, he . . . — — Map (db m174419) HM
Henry Clay Village formed near the textile mills north of Wilmington in the early 1800s. As domestic textile production declined following the War of 1812, E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company absorbed failing mills into its powder-making operations. . . . — — Map (db m184913) HM
The first of 5 houses built by John M. Addy of Pittsburgh, PA. It later became "Williams Inn," renting room from the 1930's until 1975. — — Map (db m150143) HM
The 4th of 5 houses built by John M. Addy, Pittsburgh, PA — was one of the "Six First Families". Considered as his masterpiece, it was one of the 1st homes to have indoor plumbing. In 1935 it was converted to a guest house and is now operated as a . . . — — Map (db m198878) HM
Built in 1930 by Thomas Granville Walston and his wife Minnie Ann and located on the boardwalk between First and Second Streets. Later owned and operated by their daughter and son-in-law, Zada and Bill Wilgus who occupied the apartment above. It . . . — — Map (db m150140) HM
Built in 1923 by Raymond Ringler at this location. Movies were shown, accompanied by refreshments, followed by dancing to the music of a local band. Destroyed during the storm of 1944, it was later replaced by the "Blue Surf" motel until 2008. — — Map (db m150138) HM
Built in the early 1900's at 2nd Street and the beach by R.R. Bulgin, a Disciples of Christ Preacher and named the Bellevue-Atlantic Hotel. 1915 purchased by John Addy and renamed Seaside Inn. Subsequent owners Cal and Alice Jagger provided room and . . . — — Map (db m150141) HM
The first restaurant on Bethany's boardwalk. Built in 1933 and destroyed by fire in 1953. Became the Holiday House under owners Karl Klais and James Popham who rebuilt again after the storm of 1962. 1984 owned by Arnold Brown it became the first . . . — — Map (db m150139) HM
With the incorporation of the Lewisville Marine Railway Company in 1871, Bethel’s reputation as a center for ship repair and construction was firmly established. Approximately 40 vessels were built here before the last ship was launched in 1918. . . . — — Map (db m60463) HM
In memory of the skilled shipcarpenters and gallant seamen who built and sailed the wooden schooners and rams of Lewisville now Bethel, Delaware — — Map (db m245050) HM
Bethel's recorded history began in 1683 as a land grant called Manlove's Grove. Kendal Lewis purchased portions of three land tracts. Manlove's Grove. Mitchell's Harbor and Job's lot, from George Mitchell in 1795 and named it Lewis' Wharf. A small . . . — — Map (db m245051) HM
