Delaware History Museum, Wilmington

The Delaware History Museum in Wilmington offers an engaging look at the state’s dynamic past and its enduring impact on American history. Housed in a restored Art Deco building that once served as a F.W. Woolworth’s Department Store, the museum opened in 1995 and became home to the Jane and Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage in 2016. Operated by the Delaware Historical Society, the museum is part of a downtown history campus that includes Old Town Hall, the Research Library, and Willingtown Square-together highlighting Delaware’s rich history from colonial times to today.

Inside the museum, visitors can explore “Distinctively Delaware,” a permanent exhibit that highlights state-defining themes through artifacts, documents, and personal stories. Rotating exhibitions provide fresh insight into underrepresented histories, including Wilmington’s ties to the Underground Railroad and the broader African American experience, as seen in the powerful “Journey to Freedom” display. Interactive features like “Grandma’s Attic” make the space especially inviting for children and families, while classrooms and meeting areas support ongoing community programming and educational tours.

The Jane and Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage plays a key role in broadening historical understanding, offering exhibits and events that honor the legacy and contributions of African Americans in Delaware. One immersive highlight is a reconstructed Black church interior, complete with the sound of gospel hymns-a quiet yet resonant tribute to spiritual and cultural resilience.

Altogether, the Delaware History Museum provides more than a traditional museum visit-it invites discovery across centuries and cultures. Whether browsing the gift shop for local keepsakes or digging into rare archives across the street, visitors are encouraged to see how Delaware's story continues to evolve.