Beyond the Beaches: 6 Delaware Destinations for History Lovers
Beyond the Beaches: 6 Delaware Destinations for History Lovers
A Guide to Historic Gems and Hidden Treasures in the First State
Past Lane Pursuits is a weekly newsletter of Past Lane Travels, a history/travel blog that provides inspiration for discovering historical sites, hidden gems and small towns.
Greetings History & Travel Lovers!
I’ve always thought of Delaware as a place with beautiful beaches, but I recently discovered some must-see historic spots that make a great day trip for anyone who enjoys history.
This week, I’m going to do a brief rundown of the sites, but I’ll go more in depth in future newsletters.
1. The Hagley Museum and duPont House: This museum sits on 235 beautiful acres along the banks of the Brandywine in Wilmington.
Hagley was the site of the gunpower works founded by E.I. du Pont in 1802. Make sure you leave enough time to explore the grounds that include restored mills, a workers’ community and the ancestral home and gardens of the du Pont family.
2. Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site: This little-known spot is where Delaware saw its only Revolutionary War battle. There is a monument that marks the site of the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge, along with the Cooch Homestead and Cooch-Dayett Mill complex.
The site is currently transitioning from private ownership (owned by the same family for seven generations), to a public site.
3. New Castle Historic District: My new favorite small town! New Castle makes a great place to spend the day. You can explore the Old New Castle Courthouse (where Delaware declared independence), tour the colonial Amstel House and Dutch House, and stroll through the cemetery of the Immanuel Episcopal Church, where a signer of the Declaration of Independence is buried.
It’s a town with beautiful trees, cobblestone streets, and lovely river views.
4. Historic Odessa: Another great small town for history lovers! Odessa offers five beautifully preserved colonial buildings. From the Corbit-Sharp House to the Brick Hotel, each offers their own a history lesson, with collections and exhibits showing what life looked like back in the 18th century.
5. Hale-Byrnes House: This house is an understated gem with connections to George Washington himself. Washington stayed here before the Battle of the Brandywine, and the Marquis de Lafayette turned 20 in the house!
6. Fort Delaware: I covered the Fort Delaware ghost hunt last week, but would love to see it during daylight hours! Located on Pea Patch Island, it was a Union fort used as a prison for Confederate soldiers.
Historic Taverns You’ll Love 🍽🍻
Buckley’s Tavern: An architectural beauty with a historic vibe, this popular Wilmington tavern has been around since the 1800s and still serves up delicious meals in a warm, historic setting.
Cantwell’s Tavern: Located in the heart of Odessa, this 1822 tavern exudes charm and character. With a period-appropriate menu and historic decor, dining here feels like stepping into the past.
Deer Park Tavern: Once an inn that hosted the likes of Edgar Allan Poe, this Newark tavern is perfect for those who enjoy their history with a side of craft beer.
Jessop’s Tavern: Located in New Castle, Jessop’s is styled like a true colonial pub, complete with pewter mugs and authentic fare. It’s a great spot to wrap up a day of historical exploration with a pint and some colonial-era ambiance.
Each of these sites brings Delaware’s history to life in a unique way – perfect for adding a little adventure and old-world charm to your travels!
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☛ Old-Time Wisdom
Tackle Grime with an Onion
Onions can come in handy cleaning as well as cooking. They contain enzymes which, when combined with oxygen, turn into sulphuric acid. Sulphuric acid is a non-toxic substance and works wonders to tackle stubborn or even burnt-on grime.
You can use on a stubborn stain on a work surface, a dish that isn’t clean, or stuck-on grime in the bottom of an oven. Just slice the onion in half and use the cut side to scrub.
Trivia Answer
Answer to Last Week’s Trivia Quiz: Congratulations to those who answered Abraham Lincoln as the president who used to hold seances in the White House. Seventy-three percent of you got it right, so I guess it was too easy!
Thanks for taking part in the history quiz!
☛ This Week’s Trivia Question: Give it a try!
Answer in next week’s newsletter.
Good luck!
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