Contact: Lyn Lewis, Director of Communications,
Greater Wilmington Convention
& Visitors Bureau,
(302) 295-2212, LynLewis@visitwilmingtonde.com
If you're considering a weekend getaway and enjoy areas that are steeped in history, a visit to Wilmington, Delaware is a must. Board the Kalmar Nyckel, a seaworthy recreation of the Tall Ship that carried the Swedes to Wilmington in 1638. During the summer months, the Kalmar Nyckel sails up and down the East Coast, but it will be moored in Wilmington from June 20th thru July 4th with lots of opportunities for day sails. An excursion on the River Taxi is a novel way to delve into the area's heritage or take a ride the Wilmington & Western Railroad, one of the country's oldest steam-powered railroads. See the world's largest collection of operating steam cars at the Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights. Experience 17th- and 18th-century technology and lifestyles at Greenbank Mills & Philips Farm.
Trace the legacy of Delaware's du Pont family. The story begins at Hagley, located on the bank of the Brandywine River where E.I. du Pont settled in 1802 and began harnessing water power to produce high-quality gunpowder, thus laying the foundation for the world renowned DuPont Company. Visitors can see the original roll mills and machine in operation and tour the mansion which housed five generations of the du Pont family. Nearby Winterthur Museum & Country Estate houses Henry Francis du Pont's premier collection of American furniture and decorative arts and is open for themed tours throughout the year. Outside, Henry Francis is said to have painted the landscape with plants and shrubs and a tram ride through the naturalistic gardens is a must. Commissioned by A.I. du Pont in 1909 and inspired by Marie Antoinette's Le Petit Trianon at Versailles, Nemours Mansion & Gardens is an architectural gem. The mansion is filled with spectacular examples of paintings, ceramics, tapestries and furniture, some of which date back to the 15th century, and surrounded by what is arguably the finest example of a formal French garden in North America.
Discover Historic New Castle which welcomed William Penn to the New World in 1682. Overlooking the Delaware River, this vibrant, fully occupied community is one of the most important Colonial/Federal villages in America-second only to Williamsburg in the number and authenticity of its historic structures. Minutes south, Historic Odessa features superb examples of 18th- and 19th-century architecture. What distinguishes Historic Odessa is the accuracy of the period rooms and furnishings, most of which were crafted by Delaware's prominent 18th-century cabinetmakers, silversmiths and artists. The Historic Odessa Foundation has also introduced education programs like Freedom Seekers: The Odessa Story which unveils the role the town played in the Underground Railroad.
You'll find
plenty to do and see in the Greater Wilmington Area and, remember, it's all
tax-free!
For more information go to www.VisitWilmingtonDe.com or call 800-489-6664 or 302-295-2210.
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