When the leaves turn in North Wilmington, Rockwood Park & Museum becomes a full-on fall playground. Part historic estate, part art hub, part lantern-lit haunt. From new exhibitions and hands-on workshops to spooky trails and gothic walks, here’s your guide to experiencing the “Ber” months at Rockwood. 

Can’t Miss!  

Step into the glow of history at Rockwood Museum’s, From Candlelight to Electrical Current: A Century of Lighting at Rockwood. This fascinating display traces the evolution of lighting technology from the soft flicker of candles to the brilliance of electric bulbs that transformed homes in the mid-19th to early 20th centuries. Visitors will explore a curated selection of candelabras, lamps, and fixtures from Rockwood’s permanent collection, each piece illuminating how innovation shaped daily life.  

Thursdays through Saturdays now through February 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sundays 12-4 p.m. 


Enter a world where history lingers in every shadow at Rockwood Museum’s new immersive exhibition, Abandoned Mansion. Once a stately Rural Gothic home, Rockwood is reimagined here as a place frozen in time, its grandeur worn down to haunting beauty. Visitors can wander through rooms draped in cobwebs, gaze at statues that stand like spectral guests, and encounter furniture and portraits that bear the weight of neglect. With its eerie yet captivating atmosphere, Abandoned Mansion blurs the line between imagination and reality, offering a moving reminder of the importance of preservation and the stories embedded in the spaces we leave behind.  

On now through November 2: Thursdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sundays 12-4 p.m. 
 

Rockwood Park & Museum

  • 4651 Washington St. Extension

Tour this marvelous Rural Gothic mansion which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Enjoy the Victorian house museum and roam 72 acres of serene parkland.

Rockwood Park & Museum

Spooky Season!   

Rockwood Museum and Park pulls out all the stops with its fall lineup of eerie, enchanting, and unforgettable events.  

Haunted Trails (Oct. 1–31): Stroll the historic grounds by moonlight as they glow with spooky lights. This family-friendly, self-guided evening walk is free and open all month long. 

Goth Ball (Oct. 3): Dress in your darkest finery for this annual fundraiser featuring craft cocktails, a DJ, live music, “Abandoned Mansion” tours, Haunted Trails access, vendors, and photo ops for your best gothic look. 

The Revisionists: A Haunted Gothic Walk (Oct. 17–18, 24–25): Step into ghost stories brought to life on lamplight tours through Rockwood’s gardens, complete with theatrical vignettes and a cash bar to steady your nerves. 

Mayhem & Murder: The Case of the Guilty Ghost (select Sept. dates): Channel your inner detective in this Clue-meets-escape-room style mystery inside the mansion—attic included! 

Paranormal Experience (select Sept & Oct dates): Join investigators for a hands-on exploration of Rockwood’s mansion, from attic to basement. Using professional-grade equipment, you’ll be central to the hunt for unexplained activity. 

Paranormal Reveal (Oct. 26): Hear the latest findings from Rockwood’s investigation team, complete with evidence, electronic voice phenomena (EVPs), and photo or video highlights from recent explorations. 

These programs sell out quickly, so be sure grab your tickets early and see if you’re brave enough to uncover Rockwood’s lingering spirits. 

More to Explore   

Workshops: Conservatory Watercolors (Oct 4), Outdoor Watercolors (Oct 18), Collage Craft (Nov 1), Thanksgiving Community Table Runner (Nov 15). 

Salve Workshops (Oct 9 & 16) – Learn to make calendula and comfrey salves with Shovel & Fork Farms. 

Rockwood on the Rocks (Oct 11) – History in a glass: Victorian drinking culture with tastings. 

Poetry in the Mansion: Music & Verse (Sept 27) and Haunted Words: Season of the Witch (Oct 30). 

Tours You’ll Talk About 

Rockwood’s history comes alive through its variety of guided and self-guided tours, offering fresh perspectives with every visit. 

Grand Garden Tour (Oct. 4 & Nov. 1): Stroll through 170 years of horticultural history, from the original 1850s pleasure garden to one of America’s oldest attached conservatories. 

Servants’ Tour (Oct. 12 & Nov. 2): Step “below the stairs” to uncover behind-the-scenes stories and explore areas of the mansion not usually open to the public. 

Guided Museum Tours (Fri–Sat): Learn the stories of the Shipley, Bringhurst, and Hargraves families who lived at Rockwood for more than 120 years. 

Self-Guided Tours (Thu–Sun): Take your time exploring the mansion’s first and second floors at your own pace.  

Free First Sundays (Oct. 5 & Nov. 2): Meet Rockwood’s Junior Guides—adolescents specially trained to lead select tours—while enjoying complimentary a

Whether you come to paint in the conservatory, sip Victorian cocktails, solve a whodunit, or brave the haunted trails, Rockwood’s fall season pairs historic charm with modern creative energy. See the full calendar and grab tickets before they vanish into the (autumn) night at rockwood.org.