Hagley Museum And Library, Wilmington: Hours, Address, Hagley Museum And Library Reviews: 4.5/5
Hagley Museum And Library
Hagley Museum And Library
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Hagley is the former industrial site of the original black powder works of the DuPont Company founded in Delaware in 1802 and powered by the natural resources that surrounded it. Today, it is 235 acres of wooded rolling hills along the rushing Brandywine River dotted with hundreds of stone ruins of the black powder industry, dozens of restored buildings associated with the business, and the first du Pont family home built in America. Here, for more than 200 years, the DuPont Company and family experimented, innovated, and pursued the American Dream. Hagley has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1972. The site is a National Historic Landmark, National Recreation Trail, and a Historic Engineering Landmark.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
796 reviews
Excellent
616
Very good
150
Average
23
Poor
7
Terrible
1
David L
Wilmington, DE818 contributions
Dec 2019
This is not the most amazing museum in the world, the country, or even necessarily the best of Delaware. When I first arrived to DE as a teenager, I didn't think it had anything to offer in the way of culture, but the DuPont family really made its mark on the state. So much of the history of DE is connected to this family and it is seen through its network of museums including Winterthur, Nemours Mansion & Gardens, and even Longwood Gardens in PA. As I have now seen all of the former DuPont estates turned museums, I have gained a greater appreciation for these estates that have allowed history to be frozen in time.
I think Hagley is for a little older crowd who can really appreciate the milling history of Delaware and the DuPonts, but there are some things that are appealing to younger kids. There are the classic cars in the barn and they do have a gingerbread making contest around Christmas. The period rooms are more for adults. We didn't see everything on the expansive grounds, as the weather was a little colder and we didn't do too much walking.
There is a cost for entrance, but we went for free due to a promotion with a local realtor. We'd like to come again when the our kids (age 6 and 4) are a little older and the weather is a little warmer, but we did like that our visit was free.
I think Hagley is for a little older crowd who can really appreciate the milling history of Delaware and the DuPonts, but there are some things that are appealing to younger kids. There are the classic cars in the barn and they do have a gingerbread making contest around Christmas. The period rooms are more for adults. We didn't see everything on the expansive grounds, as the weather was a little colder and we didn't do too much walking.
There is a cost for entrance, but we went for free due to a promotion with a local realtor. We'd like to come again when the our kids (age 6 and 4) are a little older and the weather is a little warmer, but we did like that our visit was free.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Colleen C
Troy, NY1,767 contributions
Jan 2020
We drove into the parking lot and thought we were in the wrong place you can't see the yellow estate that's in all the pictures at all from the parking. Enter the visitors center and purchase $15 tickets which bring you into the small museum and dioramas that are so well done puts other museums to shame. From there a BUS drives you up the hill to the estate and first office ~ during the trip a tour guide (Tim ~ amazing) tells you all about the many things to see. The 'soda' building where sodium used to be held ~ now documents are studied there, old mills, steam house, hand dug canal, railroad tracks, DuPont brother-in-laws house (wool) Roman Gardens (ruins) etc...
Once your at the house you tour a barn for over view of the family and estate history, then visit a separate office, then enter the main house and good through 3 levels of it and able to see some damage from the 288 explosions that happen in the 1800's. then back to the bus for a steam and gunpowder demos.
Definitely can make a whole day of this beautiful estate~ history at its best!
Once your at the house you tour a barn for over view of the family and estate history, then visit a separate office, then enter the main house and good through 3 levels of it and able to see some damage from the 288 explosions that happen in the 1800's. then back to the bus for a steam and gunpowder demos.
Definitely can make a whole day of this beautiful estate~ history at its best!
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you for your 5-start review of Hagley! And we are happy to hear that you had such a great experience here! It truly is history at its best!
Written January 29, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
teresa3000
Pennsylvania2,729 contributions
Sep 2020
We visited Hagley after a short drive from Auburn Valley State Park. There is plenty of parking and picnic tables close to the parking lot. There are flushing toilets by the parking lot too.
We bought out tickets from the gift shop and waited at the designated boarding station for the bus to the main house.
The bus makes one stop at the machine shop to pick up passengers to take them to the house.
At the last bus stop (Eleutherian Mills), there is a guide who provides introductory information about the family. After that you walk to the barn, the gardens, outside the home and the lower level of the barn. All of this places have a guide.
We were there for about one hour and then waited for the bus. The bus made a brief stop ( about 10 minutes) at the Steam engine house for a demonstration.
There was another stop at Machine shop. This was our stop and from here we visited the machine shop and had a Black powder explosion demonstration. We toured the rest of the buildings and then walked towards the visitor center to exit.
Bathrooms are available throughout the property.
We bought out tickets from the gift shop and waited at the designated boarding station for the bus to the main house.
The bus makes one stop at the machine shop to pick up passengers to take them to the house.
At the last bus stop (Eleutherian Mills), there is a guide who provides introductory information about the family. After that you walk to the barn, the gardens, outside the home and the lower level of the barn. All of this places have a guide.
We were there for about one hour and then waited for the bus. The bus made a brief stop ( about 10 minutes) at the Steam engine house for a demonstration.
There was another stop at Machine shop. This was our stop and from here we visited the machine shop and had a Black powder explosion demonstration. We toured the rest of the buildings and then walked towards the visitor center to exit.
Bathrooms are available throughout the property.
Written October 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you so much for your detailed review of your visit to Hagley along with corresponding photos. It's great to show the safety precautions Hagley is taking while offering plenty of outdoor space to enjoy. It's definitely the perfect place to enjoy a picnic along the Brandywine! We hope you visit again at a time when we are able to open Eleutherian Mills for indoor tours.
Written October 26, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
harryatkck
Kansas City, KS936 contributions
May 2022
I decided to visit here because I wanted to see the factory facilities used for making gunpowder & to learn more about Pierre Dupont. My wife & I each paid a $12 a person admission fee at the senior rate. The factory facilities were not impressive & most of the information here was on the I.E. Dupont family. I was not interested in the house tour but went anyway because I thought my wife would like it. The house tour took about an hour, then we had to wait almost half an hour to take a bus to the factory part of the estate about a mile away. When I got there a machine shop demonstration & a gunpowder making demonstration were held every hour so if you wanted to watch both you had to spend an hour + here. Then you hope you can get a bus to take you back to the parking lot. If you come here plan on at least half a day. I am not coming back.
Written May 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
FunFitnessFamily
Columbia, MD97 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
We specifically chose to stop at Hayley House to see the mansion decorated for Christmas.
When we arrived, we were told to take the shuttle to the barn and then do the 3:30 tour.
When we got to the barn waiting room, a greeter chatted our ear off for 10 minutes and then told us the tour was at 3:20.
We leisurely looked at the amateur gingerbread displays and the few wagons in the barn.
Then we walked down to the house and another greeter again told us to go down for the tour.
We got there at 3:18 and were told the tour was full. The woman asked if we lived close and could come back and we said no. She then apologized and said we could use our ticket for the next two days (again not helpful).
Then she said we could get a refund. We used our ASTC passport.I wish I could’ve gotten a refund on our time because we could have done something else.
Not one staffer told us there was a max capacity for the tour or said to arrive early or we could get shut out.
The office also sees how many people are coming in. You mean to tell me that you didn’t realize how many people would be wanting to tour the house?!
If you’re gonna shut people out, then you should have a reservation system.
This is incredibly poor customer service! At a minimum you could’ve offered to at least let us see the decorations in the house and forgo the full fledged tour.
Thanks for ruining our day!
When we arrived, we were told to take the shuttle to the barn and then do the 3:30 tour.
When we got to the barn waiting room, a greeter chatted our ear off for 10 minutes and then told us the tour was at 3:20.
We leisurely looked at the amateur gingerbread displays and the few wagons in the barn.
Then we walked down to the house and another greeter again told us to go down for the tour.
We got there at 3:18 and were told the tour was full. The woman asked if we lived close and could come back and we said no. She then apologized and said we could use our ticket for the next two days (again not helpful).
Then she said we could get a refund. We used our ASTC passport.I wish I could’ve gotten a refund on our time because we could have done something else.
Not one staffer told us there was a max capacity for the tour or said to arrive early or we could get shut out.
The office also sees how many people are coming in. You mean to tell me that you didn’t realize how many people would be wanting to tour the house?!
If you’re gonna shut people out, then you should have a reservation system.
This is incredibly poor customer service! At a minimum you could’ve offered to at least let us see the decorations in the house and forgo the full fledged tour.
Thanks for ruining our day!
Written December 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Phil F
Philadelphia, PA9 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
The Hagley is an underrated treasure of early Americana. The estate of E. I. Dupont, who arrived in 1802, was one of the birthplaces of American industry. The well-preserved house, along with the 19th century workshops along the Brandywine Creek for making black gunpowder (the initial family business, which generated great wealth), are thoughtfully presented by knowledgeable and approachable guides.
Although they are still recovering somewhat from hurricane-related flooding a few years ago, this museum is well worth a visit.
Although they are still recovering somewhat from hurricane-related flooding a few years ago, this museum is well worth a visit.
Written June 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
John J
1 contribution
Jul 2021
Susan, remember the name. My daughter and I arrived at the museum after lunch around 1:30 an purchased out tickets. We were told that we had enough time to see the House, the Machine Shop and the Steam Engine House. We were not given Itineraries with time schedules. We saw the Machine Shop and Steam Engine House then just missed the bus by seconds to see the House. Turned out to be the last bus. The very nice bus driver suggested we ask for complimentary tickets to come back that weekend to see the house. We went to the Office and Susan refused the request and told us we mismanaged our time there and that is why we missed the bus. She was aggressive, condescending and disrespectful.
We will not be coming back. Terrible experience with the Office worker Susan.
We will not be coming back. Terrible experience with the Office worker Susan.
Written July 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
We’re sorry, John, to hear about your experience at Hagley. This certainly isn’t typical as seen by our positive reviews with TripAdvisor users. We’ll use this as a training opportunity to better communicate our bus schedule and to improve our customer service.
Written July 22, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
lrb881
Wilmington, DE105 contributions
Oct 2019
My wife and I are members at Hagley. You can visit the early DuPont house, you can tour the powder mill making operation, learn the history of the site. There are lots of kids activities and they do special presentations. Overall, it has something for everyone, go to the website and look at the choices. For a first trip, take the bus up to the DuPont home, do the tour and then walk along the creek and look at the powder milll area. Educational and fun at the same time.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you for the great review! We are glad that you are taking advantage of your membership at Hagley. So many more fun events coming this spring and summer!
Written February 26, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
daisyferret1
Bear, DE27,778 contributions
Sep 2021
We go to Hagely once a year for the annual car show in September. Last year was cancelled due to the pandemic, so we were excited to see it come back this year. The car show is always held in September on a Sunday from 9-4. Cars are parked in large grassy fields & several are chosen to participate in the scheduled car parades. They also have food trucks on location to provide breakfast, lunch and desserts. You can pay to enter to view the cars IF you are not a participant. Car show participant's admission is included in their car registration fee & includes all passengers in the vehicle.
Overall, we had another wonderful afternoon at Hagely Car Show. It is a nice show. You see all types of cars from Steamers to Muscle cars & American to Foreign cars. You never know what is going to show up. You can count on seeing several HUNDRED cars though! This car show does not disappoint. It is a nice relaxed setting too. They even have some activities for the kids such as pedal cars. The Alderman's tent usually has coloring pages for the kids too. Food trucks have always been good. I would recommend this car show and we will be back.
Overall, we had another wonderful afternoon at Hagely Car Show. It is a nice show. You see all types of cars from Steamers to Muscle cars & American to Foreign cars. You never know what is going to show up. You can count on seeing several HUNDRED cars though! This car show does not disappoint. It is a nice relaxed setting too. They even have some activities for the kids such as pedal cars. The Alderman's tent usually has coloring pages for the kids too. Food trucks have always been good. I would recommend this car show and we will be back.
Written October 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you for your feedback! We are glad you enjoy the Hagley Car Show! Please keep coming back next year and even come to Hagley anytime throughout the year to enjoy the beauty of the property!
Written October 5, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LBinTX
Fort Worth, TX374 contributions
Nov 2019
Despite the rainy day, our visit to the Hagley Museum was quite enjoyable. My father has been attempting to finish visiting all 50 states as part of his "bucket list" and we were in Maryland, so had to find something interesting to do in Delaware. This was it! It was not busy, on a Sunday afternoon and we got plenty of personalized attention from the docents as we worked our way around the grounds. The sample firing of black powder was fun and I really enjoyed learning some better penmanship in the schoolhouse, complete with feather quill and ink. Fascinating story of how the Dupont family once owned this land and how they contributed to the area. Definitely worth your time to stop by - spend an hour or four! The restaurant was not open at the time of year we went, so be sure to check on that if you plan to eat.
Written June 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you so much for your review! We're glad you chose Hagley as the Delaware destination on your father's 50 state journey. We hope you inspire others to embark on their own "bucket list" adventure!
Written July 21, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
suhashmalewar
Nagpur, India8 contributions
$10 for seniors. Are seniors considered to be above 60 years? Please do reply & thanking you in advance
cjdesai
Tulsa, Oklahoma415 contributions
It is 62 for a senior. I just called them for the answer.
DaleNewJersey
Pittsgrove, NJ15 contributions
What is the cost for tickets
ScenicTrek
New Jersey1,894 contributions
Adults are $14.00, seniors are $10.00, and children ages 6-14 are $5.00. Children 5 and under are free. If you plan on visiting multiple attractions while in Wilmington, I highly, highly recommend buying the Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport. It's good for 11 sites, including the Hagley Museum, and it will save you a substantial amount of money compared to the individual admission costs. I purchased it last summer, and we visited 7 of the 11 attractions and saved well over $100.00.
SalPurkins
9 contributions
We want to visit with a disabled family member, are the grounds and attractions wheelchair friendly?
Hagley Museum and Library
Wilmington, DE3 contributions
Hello! Our fellow commenters are correct - Hagley's Visitor Center has three floors with self-guided exhibits, all of which are accessible by elevator. Much of the museum grounds can be fully experienced by wheelchair users, as well. We have a shuttle service that runs consistently throughout the day and can take visitors to most parts of the property, including the onsite cafe and the first du Pont home built in America, Eleutherian Mills. The home is two stories, and unfortunately, the second story is not wheelchair accessible, but our guides will work with you to ensure you have a great experience in the house. For specific guidelines or further assistance, please feel free to contact our Visitor Services department at (302) 658-2400. With the assistance of our staff, we can help build an experience that works best for your family member.
Bindi N
10 contributions
Hello
I'd like to visit the Hagley Museum in spring since it will be warmer and the days longer. Please could you tell me all the different parts of the museum and grounds there are to see and what the tour provides?
I'd also like to know how long the tour is? I want to see everything 😁
Thank you
Hagley Museum and Library
Wilmington, DE3 contributions
Hello Bindi,
A visit to Hagley can last anywhere from about 90 minutes to a whole day, depending on how much you'd like to do. Your tour will start off in the Visitor Center, where we have three floors of exhibits. From the Visitor Center, you can either walk along the millrace or take a bus to our Old Machine Shop. There, a guide will demonstrate how 19th century machines were used when the site was a gunpowder manufactory. The guide will also demonstrate how the water of the Brandywine River was used as a power source for the manufactory. After this demonstration, you can walk or take another bus up to the steam engine demonstration. After the steam engine demonstration, you will need to take a bus up to the first du Pont home built in America. That tour is about an hour long, and also includes a tour of the first office of the DuPont Company. If the weather is nice, you can take a stroll through the du Pont family garden, just outside the home.
If you would like to make a day of it at Hagley, you can always stop into the onsite cafe for lunch. The menu is available on our website. The cafe is located on Workers' Hill, which is another part of the property (adjacent to the Old Machine Shop) that details how the workers who worked on the property lived during the 19th century.
There truly is so much to see and do at Hagley! Our website also provides much of the information you would need to plan your visit (you can find us by googling "Hagley Museum" - TripAdvisor doesn't allow us to post web links in answers). If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me.
Thank you!
Jessica Eisenbrey
Marketing Manager
Hagley Museum and Library
(302) 658-2400
StuartR768
Livingston, NJ9 contributions
how much time should we allot to visiting Hagley Museum?
TwoT0Travel
New Jersey, USA277 contributions
I would say 3 to 4 hours to take your time and see everything.
Merrill R
Milton, WV50 contributions
Is there a fee?
Tom and Heather
Swedesboro, NJ838 contributions
Yes, there is.
Adults: $14, Children 6-14: $5, Children 5 and under and Hagley Members: FREE
Students and Seniors$10.00
I would pay double that.
gkjkwad
Philadelphia, PA11 contributions
What is the age requirement for seniors? Interested in coming to the Car Show on September 20th.
Hagley Museum and Library
Wilmington, DE3 contributions
Hi gkjkwad, there is no age requirement for attending the Car Show. Tickets purchased in advance are discounted (see the museum web site), and tickets may be purchased at the gate. The Hagley Car Show is a fun day so I hope you can visit.
greenlady42
UNION BRIDGE11 contributions
What are your hours during May
Hagley Museum and Library
Wilmington, DE3 contributions
Hagley Museum is open daily at 10 a.m. In May, we close at 5 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hagley Museum And Library
- Hagley Museum And Library is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Hagley Museum And Library:
- (3.10 mi) Hyatt Place Wilmington Riverfront
- (3.32 mi) Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington-Brandywine Valley
- (7.44 mi) Home2 Suites by Hilton Glen Mills Chadds Ford
- (1.23 mi) The Inn at Montchanin Village & Spa
- (2.54 mi) Hotel Du Pont
- Restaurants near Hagley Museum And Library:
- (0.96 mi) Pizza By Elizabeths
- (1.46 mi) Eclipse Bistro
- (1.19 mi) Krazy Kat's at The Inn at Montchanin Village
- (1.64 mi) Feby's Fishery
- (2.75 mi) La Fia