Background

Allee House: A Glimpse into 18th-Century Delaware

Explore the meticulously preserved Allee House in Smyrna, DE, for a captivating journey into 18th-century Delaware life and architecture.

4.8

The Allee House, built around 1753 in Smyrna, Delaware, stands as a well-preserved example of an early Delaware farmhouse. Built by Abraham Allee, a descendant of French Huguenots, the house offers a glimpse into the life of a prosperous rural family in the 18th century.

A brief summary to Allee House

  • Smyrna, Delaware, 19977, US
  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Check the Friends of Bombay Hook website for updates on the Allee House's renovation status and potential reopening for tours.
  • While the Allee House is closed, explore the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, which offers auto tours, bird watching, and walking trails.
  • Visit the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center to learn more about the area's history and ecology.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Driving

    The Allee House is located within the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. From Smyrna, take Route 13 North. Turn right onto Road 12 East (Smyrna-Leipsic Road). Follow Road 12 for 5 miles, then continue for 0.25 miles after Road 12 merges with Route 9. Turn left onto Whitehall Neck Road, which leads to Bombay Hook. Follow the signs within the refuge to reach the Allee House. Note that there is an entrance fee to access the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: $4 per vehicle per day.

  • Public Transport

    To reach the Allee House via public transportation, take a local bus service to Smyrna. From the bus stop in Smyrna, it is approximately a 1-mile walk to the Allee House. Head south on Main Street, then turn left onto Allee House Road. Follow Allee House Road until you reach the entrance to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge and continue to the house. Check local bus schedules for specific routes and fares. Note that there is an entrance fee to access the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: $2 per person per day for hiking or bicycling.

Unlock the Best of Allee House

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Allee House

Located within the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, the Allee House provides a tangible link to Delaware's colonial past. Constructed circa 1753 by Abraham Allee, whose family descended from French Huguenot refugees, the house exemplifies early Delaware "Plantation" architecture. The Allee family played a prominent role in Kent County; Abraham Allee himself was a member of the General Assembly and a Justice of the Peace. The house is noted for its Flemish bond brickwork and interior wood paneling. The original structure consisted of four rooms, later expanded with a kitchen addition. Outbuildings, including a barn, ice house, and smokehouse, were added in the early 19th century. The house remained in the Allee family until 1828. Over the years, the Allee House has undergone several changes, including modernization in the mid-20th century. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. While the house has been open for tours in the past, it is currently closed to the public and awaiting funds for renovation due to structural damage.

Popular Experiences near Allee House

Popular Hotels near Allee House

Select Currency