Looking for a summer adventure that combines history, nature, and fun without the hassle of beach traffic? Head to Hagley Museum and Library along the scenic Brandywine River! Hagley's unique indoor/outdoor format lets you explore centuries of history at your own pace, with daily demonstrations of water turbines, machinery, and gunpowder explosions adding excitement.
Stroll a mile of wooded pathways, listen to the 19th-century machine shop's rhythmic whirs and clinks, and watch a 16-foot waterwheel in action. These experiences are just some of the ways Hagley brings America's industrial history to life.
Plan your summer visit. Check out Hagley's exciting July events!
Special Tours
Start your week with a 90-minute tour led by a Hagley expert. These special tours cover a range of topics, from gardening to geology. Advance registration is required, and tours are weather-dependent.
July 8 – Sights, Sounds, and Smells: Get a behind-the-scenes look at the black powder manufacturing process.
July 15 – Workers’ World: Learn about the lives of DuPont company workers and the du Pont family.
July 22 – Trees of Hagley: Discover the significance of various trees on the property.
July 29 – What’s for Dinner? A Tale of Two Gardens: Explore the gardens that fed the du Pont family and DuPont Company workers.
Summer Nights at Hagley Presented by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Unwind by the Brandywine on Wednesday evenings in July from 5 to 8 p.m. with live music, food trucks, outdoor games, craft brews, and canned cocktails. Follow the Summer Nights Facebook event page for updates on food trucks, community partners, and live music. Admission is free for Hagley members and children 5 and younger, and $5/person for non-members. Events are weather-dependent, so check the website and Facebook page for updates.
Cannon Firings
Celebrate Independence Day with a bang! Join Hagley for signal cannon demonstrations over the July 4th weekend. Included in museum admission and free for Hagley members. Cannon firings are weather-dependent.
July 4-7: Cannon firings at 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
Science Saturdays
Discover solutions to science and engineering challenges with hands-on activities for the whole family. Science Saturdays are drop-in activities, included in museum admission, and free for Hagley members.
July 13 - Ocean Notions: Learn how animals adapt to aquatic life, and design a solution for ocean pollution. Guests include Delaware Museum of Nature and Science and Plastic Free Delaware.
July 27 - Magnetic Attraction: Build a magnet toy, and explore magnetism with demonstrations from the MOE FTC robotics team.
Hagley Museum and Library
- 200 Hagley Creek Rd.
Hagley is a large, indoor-outdoor museum experience with hundreds of years of history. Explore the new Nation of Inventors exhibition celebrating diverse stories of American innovation. Join…
Museum Store: Christmas in July
Celebrate Christmas in July at Hagley's Summer Nights event on July 24. Enjoy special store discounts, take a picture with Santa Claus, and receive a free shopping bag with purchases of $50 or more.
Landscapes, Ideas, and Intellectual Adventures: The Worlds of Jefferson and du Pont
Join a special evening program exploring the connection between Thomas Jefferson and the du Pont family. This free discussion will be held in Hagley's Soda House Auditorium. Advance registration is required.
July 30 - 6 p.m.: Hagley historian Lucas R. Clawson will lead a discussion with Travis McDonald and Bill Barker about the friendship between the du Pont family and Jefferson, their homes, and their intellectual worlds.
With something for everyone to enjoy, Hagley Museum is the perfect destination for your next #VisitWilm adventure. Be sure to tag @hagleymuseum and @visitwilmingtonde on Instagram and TikTok in your upcoming Hagley adventures.