Delaware Historical Society
Logo of the Delaware Historical Society
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 Location in Delaware
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| Established | 1864 |
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| Location | 504 N. Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware |
| Coordinates | 39°44′34″N 75°33′01″W / 39.742785°N 75.550382°W |
| Type | History |
| Director | Scott Loehr |
| Curator | Connie Cooper |
| Public transit access | Wilmington Amtrak Station |
| Website | Official Website |
The Delaware Historical Society began in 1864 as an effort to preserve documents from the Civil War. Since then, it has expanded into a statewide historical institution with several venues and a major museum in Wilmington and the historic Read House & Gardens in New Castle.
The society participates in joint marketing with the Delaware Tourism Office, the Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Brandywine Museums & Gardens Alliance.
The Society's Wilmington Campus is located between 5th and 6th Streets on Lower Market Street in Wilmington. This row is the historic shopping district and currently markets itself as the LoMa Design District to promote urban redevelopment. The complex includes an arch over the street.
The main museum consists of three rotating exhibit halls in a converted 1941 art deco Woolworth's store, one of two that used to operate on Market Street. Exhibits include costumes, children's toys and folk art.
The Old Town Hall served as the city hall for the Burough and later City of Wilmington. Constructed in 1798 in the federal style, the building also included the jail and library. The Marquis de Lafayette received a reception there and President Andrew Jackson was the guest of honor at a dinner. In 1851, the body of Senator Henry Clay was officially laid in state.
Willingtown Square is a collection of buildings relocated from other sections of downtown to make way for high rise construction. Started as part of the bicentennial celebration in 1976, the square is named after Thomas Willing, the founder of Wilmington.
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Wikipedia