Updated and Refreshed Delaware History Trail Gets Re-launched

Gov. John Carney and the Delaware Tourism Office (DTO) recently took to Wilmington’s Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library to announce the re-launch of the Delaware History Trail, a collection of inspiring locations inviting visitors (and locals) to experience the centuries-old story of the First State first-hand.  

The relaunch offers visitors seven exciting new locations and a unique online “passport” they can use to track their travels on the trail, which was initially launched back in 2011.  

In its updated form, the trail allows visitors to qualify for a unique new prize once they upload photos from 10 of the 29 locations to VisitDelaware.com/history. Qualified participants will receive a limited-edition, 100-piece Delaware history-themed puzzle to commemorate their time in the state.  

"For more than a decade now, the Delaware History Trail has provided an exciting way for people from inside and outside the state to get an inspiring look at Delaware’s long, rich story,” said history buff Gov. Carney. “This is a way to not only hear about the past, but to experience the places where history happened.”  

Several new Greater Wilmington locations have been added to the trail including the tall ship Kalmar Nyckel, Hagley Museum & Library, Nemours Estate, and Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park. The trail’s experiences emphasize Delaware’s crucial role in the nation’s history, and its rich cultural diversity.  

“Previously, the trail included 51 locations, so we wanted to refresh things in a way that made it a more focused and fun experience,” Delaware Tourism Director Liz Keller said. “We worked with the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs to reassess sites and ultimately determined that these 29 locations were essential to telling Delaware’s story.   

“These sites were specifically chosen to give travelers an experience they’ll remember.”  

The DTO also worked to make it easier for travelers to complete the trail, eliminating paper passports in favor of an online form. “By encouraging visitors to share their photos, we hope to engage younger visitors and more families to explore these historic sites,” Keller said. “Through our enhanced website, we are also able to tell more of the fascinating stories behind these locations.”  

With the 29 locations spread throughout the state, more than half are right here in the Greater Wilmington area! Check out more about the history in #VisitWilm here.