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Rockwood Park & Museum: A Glimpse into 19th-Century Elegance

Step back in time at Rockwood Park & Museum, a Victorian estate with a Gothic mansion, historic gardens, and scenic trails in Wilmington, Delaware.

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Rockwood Park & Museum, a 72-acre estate in Wilmington, Delaware, features a Rural Gothic mansion, historical gardens, and scenic parkland. Built in the 1850s by Joseph Shipley, it offers a unique look into Victorian life.

A brief summary to Rockwood Park & Museum

  • Thursday 10 am-4 pm
  • Friday 10 am-4 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-4 pm
  • Sunday 12 pm-4 pm

Local tips

  • New Castle County residents receive a discount on museum admission with a valid ID.
  • The park grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk and offer free admission.
  • Check the official website for information on special events, including ghost tours and holiday programs.
  • Enter the park from Washington Street Extension, not Shipley Road, to find parking.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From downtown Wilmington, take DART First State bus route 24 from the Wilmington Transit Center. Ride until the stop at Washington Street Extension and Rockwood Park. From the bus stop, it's a short walk to the park entrance. A single ride fare is $2.

  • Taxi/Ride-share

    A taxi or ride-share from downtown Wilmington to Rockwood Park & Museum takes about 15 minutes. Expect to pay between $15 and $25.

  • Driving

    From I-95, take exit 8 for DE-202 N toward Greenville. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for DE-202 N and merge onto DE-202 N. Continue on DE-202 N for about 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Washington Street Extension. After about 0.5 miles, you'll see Rockwood Park & Museum on your left. Free parking is available on-site.

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Discover more about Rockwood Park & Museum

Rockwood Park & Museum offers a captivating journey into the past, showcasing the lifestyle of a prominent 19th-century family. The estate was built between 1851 and 1854 as the retirement home of Joseph Shipley, a Wilmington native who made his fortune as a merchant banker in Liverpool, England. Shipley designed Rockwood to reflect the beauty of an English country estate, drawing inspiration from his English country house, Wyncote. The mansion itself is a prime example of Rural Gothic Revival architecture, a style that was considered modern at the time. The interior of Rockwood reflects the late 19th century, displaying original furnishings, family memorabilia, and an extensive clothing collection of the Bringhurst family, who lived there for over 70 years. Visitors can explore the house through guided or self-guided tours, with staff available to answer questions. Beyond the mansion, the 72-acre park features a six-acre historic garden, designed in the style of an English park with a variety of trees and flowering shrubs. The park also includes picnic groves, an urban wildlife habitat, and walking paths that connect to the Northern Delaware Greenway. The grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk, offering a serene escape and a chance to explore the beauty of nature.

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