Delaware Museums & Historic Sites
Discover Delaware''s rich and colorful history from pre-Colonial days to modern times. Home of one of America''s pioneering colonial ships and Fort Delaware, a Union fortress during the Civil War, the First State offers exciting historic attractions, stimulating museums, famous monuments, legendary parks and gardens, historic estates, and masterpieces of art that honor Delaware's rich heritage and wonderfully diverse culture. [
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Winterthur Museum
One of the most celebrated American country estates, Winterthur Museum takes you back in time. The historic museum boasts enchanting gardens around a magnificent 18th century estate. Former home of Henry Francis du Pont, a horticulturist and antiques collector, Winterthur Museum showcases America''s heritage through unparalleled collections of antiques and Americana, including du Pont's acclaimed Americana Collection of American furniture and decorative arts. Wander through the breathtaking landscape of the 60-acre naturalistic Winterthur Garden and the fairytale children''s garden, Enchanted Woods. Explore fields and farmland to learn about the workings of a historic American country estate. Enjoy hands-on learning in the Touch-It Room, and find a wealth of research in the Winterthur Library. Visit http://www.winterthur.org. [
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Hagley Museum and Library
Situated on a stunning landscape on the Brandywine River in Wilmington, Hagley Museum reveals a remarkable chapter of American history and illustrates the evolution and impact of American industry and business on society. Depicting life in a 19th-century industrial community, Hagley houses a collection of books, manuscripts, pamphlets and photographs portraying the history of American commerce and technology. This National Historic Landmark and National Recreation Trail features beautiful architecture, horticulture, interactive exhibits, machinery demonstrations, and a stunning river walk. Visitors tour the du Pont ancestral home, stroll through a French garden, participate in a mid-19th-century school day, and see period machines in action. Visit http://www.hagley.lib.de.us [
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Longwood Gardens
Nestled in the Brandywine Valley of Northern Delaware, Longwood Gardens is a horticultural and historic masterpiece encompassing 1,050 acres of exquisite gardens, magnificent flowers, woodlands, meadows, and majestic trees. See 11,000 exotic and insect-catching plants from around the world, enjoy dancing fountains and performances, marvel at spectacular indoor and outdoor displays, witness opulent architecture, view conservatories, and tour the historic Pierce-du Pont House. Visit www.longwoodgardens.org. [
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Delaware Museum of Natural History
Located in Wilmington, Delaware Museum of Natural History is a place where all ages can explore the natural world. The museum offers fun educational exhibits, including life-sized dinosaur skeletons, experiments, puzzles, games, specimens, and fossils that illustrate natural history. Venture beneath the seas, face a jaguar, and marvel at the diversity of birds from around the world. Permanent exhibits include dioramas illustrating mammals and birds in natural habitats, a world-famous seashell collection, a butterfly garden, the Great Barrier Reef, and African Watering Hole. Visit http://www.delmnh.org/. [
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Nemours Mansion and Gardens
Nemours is the majestic 300-acre country estate of the late industrialist and philanthropist Alfred I. DuPont. Built in 1910, the grand mansion is a brilliant example of a Louis XVI French château and the opulent living of the early 20th-century. Surrounding formal gardens, the 47,000 sq. ft. mansion features 102 magnificent rooms, including a bowling alley and billiard's room, is adorned with eclectic furnishings, period antiques, famous paintings and works of art, beautiful tapestries, rare Oriental rugs and treasures dating to the 15th century. The beautiful landscaped grounds feature natural woodlands, working carillon tower and the finest examples of French-style gardens in the country. The guided tour covers 36 rooms in the elegant mansion, a bus ride through the gardens and a stop at the chauffeur's garage to see antique automobiles, as well as commentary on DuPont family history. Visit www.nemours.org/mansion. [
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Delaware Art Museum
Founded in 1912, the Delaware Art Museum presents a renowned collection of 19th and 20th century American art and illustration, British Pre-Raphaelite art, works by Wilmington-native Howard Pyle and fellow American illustrators, and urban landscapes by John Sloan. The acclaimed art museum features number of major traveling exhibitions throughout the year. Walk through the magnificent outdoor Copeland Sculpture Garden, featuring nine beautiful sculptures, including the 13-foot tall bronze sculpture, Crying Giant. Visit www.delart.org. [
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Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village
Explore Delaware''s rural and agricultural past and present through exciting exhibits, programs and events at the Delaware Agricultural Museum in Dover. The Museum offers exciting educational experiences and events that preserve the fading agricultural heritage of Delaware and the Delmarva Peninsula. Visit Loockerman Landing, which re-creates a 19th century rural village. Enjoy fun events, demonstrations, music and games that celebrate the rural culture of Delmarva. The museum's changing exhibits present evolving technologies and explore the strong connection between land and people. [
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Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard
Experience the historic Kalmar Nyckel, one of America''s pioneering colonial ships. In her home port on the Christina River in Wilmington, Kalmar Nyckel offers public tours of the ship and shipyard. In 1638, the Kalmar Nyckel sailed from Sweden to the New World leaving explorers to establish the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley. Today, the rebuilt Kalmar Nyckel is Delaware's seagoing goodwill ambassador, celebrating the spirit of the individuals who endured the winter North Atlantic crossing. Located next to the original landing site at Fort Christina Park, where a stone monument stands, Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard reveals the ancient art of ship making and the colonial history of Delaware. The shipyard and 7th Street peninsula offer learning and recreational experiences, special events, a Blacksmith Shop and a Gift Shop on the Wilmington waterfront. Visit the Sail Loft Museum, offering hands-on exhibits of the Kalmar Nyckel''s history and craftsmanship. Visit www.kalmarnyckel.org. [
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Nanticoke Indian Museum
Located in Millsboro, the Nanticoke Indian Museum conveys the rich history of the Nanticoke people of Delaware. The museum's colorful displays demonstrate the traditional ways of the Nanticoke tribe, including stone artifacts, pottery, carvings, pottery, tools, clothing, art and implements. The Museum also houses a grand collection of Native American books, photographs and videos. Check out the gift shop and take a home a historic souvenir from this Native American people. Visit www.thelongneckpage.com/nia [
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Fort Delaware State Park
Dating back to 1859, Fort Delaware State Park was a Union fortress and a prison for 30,000 Confederate, Federal and political prisoners during the Civil War. Built to protect the port of Wilmington, Fort Delaware State Park features living history activities, programs and events with interactive interpreters in period attire. After a ½ -mile ferry from Delaware City to Pea Patch Island, the jitney transports you from the dock to the granite and brick fortress. Costumed re-enactors take you back to the summer of 1864 with demonstrations of the firing of the Columbiad cannon, Civil War cooking, and prisoner and civilian life on the island. See a replica of Pea Patch Island as it was in 1864 and artifacts from the Island''s past. Visit Finn''s Point National Cemetery, the final resting-place for 2,400 Confederate prisoners who died at Fort Delaware. Explore Pea Patch Island's bird nesting areas, remote marshes, hiking trails, observation platforms and picnic areas. [
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 | Ramada Hotels in Delaware | 1-800-272-6232 |  |
Surrounded by the history, beauty, culture and heritage of Delaware, Ramada Hotels offer comfortable, stylish lodging accommodations on the road to your next historic sightseeing adventure. Whether you are exploring Fort Delaware State Park or the Delaware Art Museum, Ramada Hotels of Delaware delivers a refreshing mix of classic hospitality and modern luxuries that ensure a peaceful night's rest and friendly service in the First State.
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