Jacob Broom House facts for kids
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Jacob Broom House
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1975 HABS photo
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 Location in Delaware
Location in the United States
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| Location | Christchurch Rd., near Hagley Museum and Library, Montchanin, Delaware |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1795 |
| Architect | Jacob Broom |
| Architectural style | Late Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000602 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 2, 1974 |
| Designated NHL | December 2, 1974 |
The Jacob Broom House, also known as Hagley, is a very old house in Montchanin, Delaware. It was built in 1795 by Jacob Broom. He was an important person from Delaware who signed the United States Constitution.
In 1802, Éleuthère Irénée du Pont bought the house. He was the founder of the famous DuPont company. He also started the Eleutherian Mills nearby, right by the Brandywine Creek. The house is still owned by the Du Pont family today. Because of its connection to Jacob Broom, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1974.
About the Jacob Broom House
The Jacob Broom House is located northwest of Wilmington, Delaware. It sits on a hill overlooking the Brandywine Creek. You can find it between parts of the Hagley Museum and Library. This museum tells the story of the early industries started by the du Pont family.
The main part of the house is a two-and-a-half-story building made of stone. It has a roof with dormer windows and chimneys on each end. The front of the house has four sections, with the main door in the second section from the left.
Who Was Jacob Broom?
Jacob Broom was born in Wilmington in 1752. He trained as a surveyor, which means he measured land. He had a long career and started many businesses. In 1787, he was chosen to be one of Delaware's representatives. He went to the Philadelphia Convention. This is where the United States Constitution was written.
In 1795, Jacob Broom bought about 65 acres of land. This land was on the west side of Brandywine Creek. He built a cotton mill there, along with a long stone channel and a dam. The Jacob Broom House was built on a hill above this mill. It is the only important building left that was connected to Jacob Broom's life.
The Du Pont Family and the House
After a few years, Jacob Broom's mill burned down. In 1802, he sold all his property to Éleuthère Irénée du Pont. Mr. Du Pont was an immigrant from France. He knew a lot about making gunpowder. Soon, he started a powder mill on the property. He used the Jacob Broom House as his first home and business office.
His business was very successful. Later, Mr. Du Pont built a bigger mansion. This mansion is now part of the Hagley Museum complex.
The Jacob Broom House was lived in by Eleuthera du Pont Smith and her husband until 1873. Then, Francis G. du Pont lived there until 1919. While Francis lived there, the house had many additions. These changes gave it a Victorian look, but the original structure stayed the same.
The DuPont company bought the house in 1919. In 1933, they sold it to Irene du Pont. She bought it for her daughter. The house is still a private home for the family. Most of the Victorian changes have been removed. Now, the house has additions that match its original style better.
