Hagley Museum: Where Innovation Sparks

4.8 (735)

Explore the birthplace of the DuPont Company, where early American industry meets natural beauty along the Brandywine River.

Explore the Hagley Museum, the original site of the DuPont Company's black powder works on the Brandywine River near Wilmington, Delaware. Discover the story of American industry with restored mills, the du Pont family's first home in the US, and beautiful gardens across 235 acres.

A brief summary to Hagley Museum

200 Hagley Creek Rd, Wilmington, Delaware, 19807, US
Click to display
Click to display

Monday 10 am-5 pm
Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
Thursday 10 am-5 pm
Friday 10 am-5 pm
Saturday 10 am-5 pm
Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

Wear comfortable shoes, as Hagley is a large, indoor-outdoor museum with a lot of walking on uneven terrain.
Check the Hagley website for special events, demonstrations, and guided tour schedules before your visit.
Allow at least 3 hours to explore the main exhibits, powder yards, and the du Pont family home and gardens.
Take advantage of the free shuttle service to navigate between key locations on the expansive property.
Consider bringing a picnic to enjoy on the grounds, as picnic tables are available.

Other nearby places you may find interesting

Rockford Tower

Rockford Tower: A Wilmington Landmark

Rockford Park

Rockford Park: A Wilmington Landmark

Delaware Art Museum

Delaware Art Museum: A Brandywine Valley Gem

Getting There

Driving

Hagley Museum is located at 200 Hagley Creek Road, Wilmington, DE 19807. From I-95, take exit 7 for Delaware Avenue toward DE-52 N/Delaware Ave. Follow signs for DE-100 N/Greenville and merge onto DE-52 N/Delaware Ave. Turn right onto DE-141 N/Centre Rd, and the museum entrance will be on your right. Free parking is available at the Visitor Center.
Public Transport

From Wilmington, the DART First State Route 10 bus runs to Hagley Museum. Take the Route 10 bus from the Wilmington Transit Center to the stop at 17th St @ Tower Rd. From there, it is a short walk to the museum entrance. The bus fare is $1 - $2.

Discover more about Hagley Museum

Hagley Museum, located on 235 acres along the Brandywine River in Wilmington, Delaware, is a captivating journey through American industrial history. It marks the spot where E.I. du Pont founded his black powder mills in 1802, laying the foundation for the DuPont Company. Today, the museum showcases restored mills, a workers' community, and the ancestral home and gardens of the du Pont family. Visitors can explore exhibits detailing the DuPont Company's history, the black powder manufacturing process, and early American innovation. The museum features indoor and outdoor displays, including the 'Nation of Inventors' exhibit, which celebrates diverse stories of American innovation through patent models. You can also tour Eleutherian Mills, the first du Pont family home in America, and stroll through the E.I. du Pont Garden, a restored French-style garden. A visit to Hagley offers a blend of historical education and natural beauty, with walking trails and shuttle services connecting key locations. It's a place where you can witness demonstrations of 19th-century machinery, learn about the lives of the DuPont Company employees, and appreciate the impact of the business on American society.