List of museums in Delaware facts for kids
Welcome to a list of awesome museums in Delaware! Museums are special places where cool stuff from the past, amazing art, science discoveries, or historical items are kept safe. They let you explore and learn about all sorts of interesting things.
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Discover Delaware's Museums
Delaware has many different kinds of museums. You can find everything from old houses to places about airplanes! Let's explore some of them.
Air Mobility Command Museum
Located at Dover Air Force Base, this museum is all about military aircraft. You can see huge planes used for carrying things and refueling other planes in the air. It's a great place to learn about aviation history.
Amstel House
In New Castle, the Amstel House is a historic mansion from the 1730s. It was home to important families from Delaware's early days. You can step back in time and see how people lived long ago.
Anna Hazzard Museum
Visit Rehoboth Beach to learn about the history of "camp meetings" from the 1890s. This museum shares stories from that unique time.
Barratt's Chapel and Museum
Near Frederica, this 1780 chapel tells the story of Methodism. It's a historic religious site with a museum about its past.
Bethany Beach History Museum
Found in Bethany Beach Town Hall, this museum focuses on the local history of the area. Check out their website for more details.
Bethel Heritage Museum
In Bethel, this is an open-air museum. It's like a historic village where you can see old buildings and learn about life in the past.
Biggs Museum of American Art
The Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover shows off beautiful American art. It's part of the First State Heritage Park, a group of historic sites.
Blue Ball Barn
In Wilmington, this old barn now holds a state collection of folk art. It's located inside Alapocas Run State Park.
Cannonball House Maritime Museum
The Cannonball House Maritime Museum in Lewes is all about the sea! It has artifacts from ships and tells stories of maritime life. You can find more on their website.
Center for the Creative Arts
This center in Yorklyn is a community art place. It offers classes and has a gallery showing local art. Visit their website.
Coverdale Farm Preserve
Near Greenville, this is a working farm from the 19th century. You can see how farms used to operate and learn about nature. Check their website.
Days Gone By Museum
In Seaford, this museum shares local history. It has antique tractors, old tools, and other cool artifacts.
Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village
In Dover, this museum is all about farming! It has a village called Loockerman Landing, which looks like a rural town from the 1890s. You can see old farm equipment and even folk art. Find out more on their website.
Delaware Art Museum
The Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington has over 12,000 pieces of art! It focuses on American art from the 1800s to today, and also has art from the English Pre-Raphaelite movement.
Delaware Aviation Museum
Located at the Delaware Coastal Airport in Georgetown, this museum is for airplane lovers! It has artifacts and displays from World War II aviation. Visit their website.
Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts
In Wilmington, this art center shows modern art. It has nearly 30 exhibitions each year, featuring artists from all over the world.
Delaware Children's Museum
The Delaware Children's Museum in Wilmington is super fun for kids! It's located on the Wilmington Riverfront and has many hands-on exhibits. See their website.
Delaware History Museum
Operated by the Delaware Historical Society in Wilmington, this museum explores Delaware's past. It has exhibits on everyday life, old costumes, toys, and art.
Delaware Museum of Nature and Science
In Greenville, the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science is packed with natural wonders. You can see collections of seashells, birds, and even learn about dinosaurs and Charles Darwin!
Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame
If you love sports, head to Wilmington! This museum celebrates over 150 years of Delaware sports history. It's located at Frawley Stadium.
Delaware State Police Museum
In Dover, this museum tells the story of the Delaware State Police. You can see old badges, uniforms, and even police vehicles. Learn more on their website.
Discover Sea Shipwreck Museum
At Fenwick Island, this museum is all about shipwrecks! It displays amazing artifacts found from sunken ships, both from the local area and around the world. Check out their website.
Dutch House
The Dutch House (New Castle, Delaware) in New Castle is a 17th-century house. It shows what homes were like for early Delaware settlers. Find out more on the New Castle Historical Society's website.
Elsie Williams Doll Collection
In Georgetown, this collection has over 600 dolls from all over the world! It's located at Delaware Technical Community College.
Fenwick Island Light
This lighthouse at Fenwick Island has a small museum. You can learn about the history of the lighthouse and its importance.
Fort Delaware
Located on Pea Patch Island, Fort Delaware is a historic fort. You can see living history demonstrations, where people dress up and act like they did in the past.
Governor Ross Mansion & Plantation
In Seaford, this beautiful 1850s mansion was home to a governor. It's operated by the Seaford Historical Society.
Hagley Museum & Library
The Hagley Museum & Library in Wilmington tells the story of American business. It's built on the site where E.I. du Pont started his gunpowder factory in 1802.
Historic Houses of Odessa
Odessa has a group of historic buildings from the 1700s and early 1800s. These include the Corbit-Sharp House and the Brick Hotel. Explore them on their website.
Indian River Lifesaving Station Museum
This museum in Rehoboth Beach is located in Delaware Seashore State Park. It shares the history of the brave people who rescued sailors from shipwrecks.
Iron Hill Museum
The Iron Hill Museum in Newark was once a one-room schoolhouse. It has collections of rocks, minerals, plants, animals, and historical displays.
John Dickinson Plantation
In Dover, this is the 18th-century home of John Dickinson, an important figure in American history.
Johnson Victrola Museum
Part of the First State Heritage Park in Dover, this museum celebrates Eldridge Reeves Johnson. He founded the Victor Talking Machine Company, which made phonographs. You can see old phonographs and learn about the history of recorded sound.
Lewes Historical Society Complex
In Lewes, this complex has nine historic buildings. It's like a small village where you can explore different old homes and buildings. See their website.
Lightship Overfalls
The Lightship Overfalls in Lewes is a historic ship that used to guide other boats. Now, it's a museum you can explore!
Marshall Steam Museum
Part of Auburn Valley State Park in Yorklyn, this museum has amazing old cars like Stanley Steamers and Packards. It also has a miniature railroad!
Marvel Carriage Museum
In Georgetown, this museum has a collection of antique carriages. It also has restored old buildings and many items from Georgetown's past. You can visit by appointment.
Messick Museum
The Messick Museum in Harrington is all about agriculture. It has antique John Deere tractors, old farm machinery, and farming tools. Check out their website.
Milford Museum
The Milford Museum in Milford tells the local history of the town. It has model ships, old coins, and items from early Milford settlers. Visit their website.
Milton Historical Society Museum
In Milton, this museum shares the history of Milton and the surrounding area. It also has an art gallery. See their website.
Nanticoke Indian Museum
Located in Millsboro, this museum teaches about the history of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe. It has jewelry, pottery, tools, and other artifacts. Find out more on their website.
Nemours Mansion and Gardens
In Wilmington, this is A.I. duPont's huge mansion. It has beautiful French-style gardens that you can explore.
New Castle Court House Museum
The New Castle Court House Museum in New Castle is one of the oldest courthouses in the United States. It has exhibits about Delaware's early laws and the Underground Railroad.
Old State House
In Dover, the Old State House was Delaware's first capitol building. It has been restored to look like it did in the 1700s.
Old Library Museum
This museum in New Castle is run by the New Castle Historical Society. It has changing exhibits about local history. See their website.
Old Swedes Church
The Old Swedes Church in Wilmington was built in 1698–1699. It's a very old and historic church building.
Paul R. Jones Collection of African American Art
Part of the University of Delaware in Newark, this collection features amazing artworks by African American artists.
Read House & Gardens
In New Castle, the Read House & Gardens is a grand 1801 mansion with 22 rooms. It's operated by the Delaware Historical Society.
Rehoboth Art League
The Rehoboth Art League in Rehoboth Beach is an art institution. It was founded by Louise C. Corkran and supports local artists. Visit their website.
Rehoboth Beach Museum
Operated by the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society, this museum tells the story of Rehoboth Beach. Check out their website.
Rockwood Museum and Park
In Wilmington, Rockwood Museum and Park features a restored mansion from the Gilded Age. It also has beautiful historic gardens.
Seaford Fire Museum
The Seaford Fire Museum in Seaford has firefighting memorabilia. It tells the history of the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department. See their website.
Seaford Museum
The Seaford Museum in Seaford is run by the Seaford Historical Society. It shares the local history of the area. Find out more on their website.
Smyrna Museum
The Smyrna Museum in Smyrna is operated by the Duck Creek Historical Society. It has rooms set up to look like different time periods. Visit their website.
Star Hill Museum
The Star Hill Museum in Camden was once an AME church. It was a stop on the Underground Railroad. The museum has African artifacts and inventions by African Americans.
Treasures of the Sea Exhibit
In Georgetown, this exhibit has amazing artifacts from the shipwreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha. It's located at Delaware Technical Community College. See their website.
University of Delaware Mineralogical Museum
Part of the University of Delaware in Newark, this museum has a cool collection of minerals, petrified wood, and even meteorites!
Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library
The Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library in Wilmington is huge! It has 175 rooms filled with American furniture, art, and decorative items. There are also beautiful gardens to explore.
Woodburn
Woodburn in Dover is the official home of Delaware's governor. This historic house dates back to 1798.
Zwaanendael Museum
In Lewes, the Zwaanendael Museum celebrates Delaware's first European settlement from 1631. It has exhibits about local history.
Future Museums
There are always new museums being planned! Here are a couple that might open in the future:
Afro-American Historical Society of Delaware
This proposed museum in Wilmington would focus on African American history.
Delaware Military Museum
This museum is planned for Delaware City at Fort DuPont. It would be all about military history. You can learn more on their website.
See also
- Botanical gardens in Delaware
- Forts in Delaware
- Historic landmarks in Delaware
- Houses in Delaware
- Nature Centers in Delaware
- Observatories in Delaware
- Registered Historic Places in Delaware