Museum & Garden Tours

Old is New Again: The Latest Returns to Rockwood

Old is New Again Exhibit

Part of what has made Rockwood Park & Museum such a unique historic site in America is the art collection it has housed for 170 years. This American treasure house was a repository for the art, antiques, and household decorations of the Shipley/Bringhurst/Hargraves family since 1851. Rockwood still holds many collection strengths including the family fashions they wore, the photos they took, the paintings they hung, the trees they planted, the antiques they inherited, the souvenirs they found, the books they read, and the ceramics from which they ate.

After the mansion and heritage gardens were gifted to New Castle County from the estate of Nancy Sellers Hargraves (d. 1971), Rockwood Museum opened in 1976 in partnership with the Friends of Rockwood. Around 1998 the bulk of the collection was transferred to the museum and makes up the permanent collection today. Since then, Rockwood’s descendants have provided additional items for loan and through gifts that once lived in the house or were cherished by their ancestors.

Rockwood is very excited to announce that recently two branches of Rockwood’s extended family have placed many new objects on long-term loan to the museum. Our staff has begun the installation of many of these objects throughout the museum to enrich our tour experience with a more complex and in-depth examination of the family’s material heritage.

Highlights of these fantastic “returns” include:          

An amazingly rare Chinese Export Porcelain coffee and tea service made in 1803 for Eliza Jeffries, sister-in-law to Rockwood’s founder Joseph Shipley, in the so-called Quaker Farmer pattern. According to family tradition, this service was lost in a shipwreck on the Delaware River, was salvaged years later, and returned to its rightful owner.

An exceptional ca. 1800 mahogany (or valuables) chest with an upper compartment for bottles that was once owned by Joseph Bringhurst, the Wilmington apothecary and colonial-era ancestor of the Bringhursts.     

A hand-written essay entitled a Brief Memoir of the Life of Cpt. Paul Cuffee of Westport Massachusetts 1806. This memoir is among the earliest known biographies of this Black maritime captain who fought for voting rights, opened an early integrated school, met with President Madison, and explored a Black-led emigration program for emancipated enslaved people who desired to become trading partners in Africa. Captain Cuffee befriended Wilmington Quakers, including Joseph Bringhurst, over their shared abolitionist views. Bringhurst then penned Cuffee’s memoir and this copy has stayed with his descendants for over 200 years.

This exhibition shares much more than what has been revealed here – we look forward to seeing you there soon! Objects are available for viewing during any of the museum’s self-guided and guided tours starting Friday, February 24.

Featured Exhibition: Brittle Beauty: Preservation at Rockwood

Brittle Beauty 2023

Nearing Rockwood’s 50th anniversary under the stewardship of New Castle County, we celebrate the preservation efforts that have saved this uncommon estate from destruction. A new rotating exhibition will feature a collection of objects, landscapes, architecture, and botanical specimens in various states of conservation. In addition to past accomplishments, the exhibition also charts its future through participation with the Rockwood Park Preservation Society (RPPS), the museum’s membership of support. The price includes a self-guided tour of the mansion’s first floor. Included with any tour.

Don’t see a tour date and time that works for you?
Contact us and make a special reservation! 
302-761-4340 or [email protected]

FREE First Sundays

Come try out Rockwood Museum’s self-guided tour for the first time or return to see many fun, new changes – on us! This is our chance to give back to the community and open the doors wide open.

Self-Guided Tours

We have heard the call and are proud to offer a new self-guided alternative to enjoy Rockwood your own way. This tour is open to the museum's first floor, but don’t worry, the staff will be nearby to answer any questions! Reservations are suggested but walk-ins are welcome. An adult must accompany children under 14.

Thursday - Saturday | 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday | 12 - 4 pm 

Admission Fees:
$10
$8 New Caste County Resident
$2 Art-Reach Member
FREE for RPPS Member 

BUY TICKETS ONLINE


Please use the “Art-Reach2022” and “RPPS2022” coupon codes at check out to unlock the membership discount – must provide proof of membership at the beginning of the tour. 

Guided Museum Tours

Friday | 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm
Saturday | 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm 

Admission Fees:
$10
$8 New Caste County Resident
$2 Art-Reach Member
FREE for RPPS Member 

BUY TICKETS ONLINE


Please use the “Art-Reach2022” and “RPPS2022” coupon codes at check out to unlock the membership discount – must provide proof of membership at the beginning of the tour. 

Heritage Garden Self-guided tour

Stop in the museum office during open hours (Mon-Sat, 10 am – 4 pm & Sun 12 – 4 pm) to pick up your complimentary map of the six-acre Heritage Garden surrounding this historic villa. Many of the garden’s most memorable trees and shrubs were collected by Joseph Shipley and members of the Bringhurst family between 1851 and around 1920. QR-coded labels at the base of these plants offer additional information. Always FREE

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  1. Sun Oct. 1

    Free First Sundays at Rockwood Museum Come try out Rockwood Museum’s self-guided tour for the first time or return to see many fun, new changes – on us! This is our chance to give back to the community and open the doors wide open.
  2. Sun Oct. 1

  3. Sun Oct. 1

    Haunted Trails of Rockwood The twists and bends of Rockwood’s 170 year-old garden paths are lit with dramatic lighting for the haunted holiday.
  4. Mon Oct. 2

    Haunted Trails of Rockwood The twists and bends of Rockwood’s 170 year-old garden paths are lit with dramatic lighting for the haunted holiday.
  5. Tue Oct. 3

    Haunted Trails of Rockwood The twists and bends of Rockwood’s 170 year-old garden paths are lit with dramatic lighting for the haunted holiday.
  6. Wed Oct. 4

    Haunted Trails of Rockwood The twists and bends of Rockwood’s 170 year-old garden paths are lit with dramatic lighting for the haunted holiday.
  7. Thu Oct. 5

    Haunted Trails of Rockwood The twists and bends of Rockwood’s 170 year-old garden paths are lit with dramatic lighting for the haunted holiday.
  8. Fri Oct. 6

    Haunted Trails of Rockwood The twists and bends of Rockwood’s 170 year-old garden paths are lit with dramatic lighting for the haunted holiday.
  9. Sat Oct. 7

    Haunted Trails of Rockwood The twists and bends of Rockwood’s 170 year-old garden paths are lit with dramatic lighting for the haunted holiday.
  10. Sun Oct. 8

    Below the Stairs and In the Attics: The Servants' Tour This tour will expand visitors’ understanding of this thriving estate and farm and will reinterpret the spaces used by servants located within Rockwood Mansion.
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