The du Pont family is called the “First Family of Delaware” for many reasons – but they got their start as an industrial company by milling gunpowder on the water in Wilmington. E.I. du Pont’s first millwork is preserved today, and you can visit to learn the history of the family and company, and how it is so tied in to Delaware history. One thing you’ll learn on your tour is that the mill operations were extremely unsafe, and some of the deadliest explosions in U.S. history occurred here on the banks of the Brandywine.

The Hagley Museum sits on the site of the first home - and gunpowder mills - of the du Pont family in America.
Facebook / Hagley Museum and Library
E. I. du Pont founded the property in 1802 and quickly developed gunpowder operations along the Brandywine River. He chose the location for many reasons, most notable the resources available that helped make high quality black powder.

Unfortunately, the business of milling gunpowder is dangerous. du Pont focused on safety - even building his own home near the powder mills, to be able to relate more to his workers - but explosions were inevitable, given the technology at the time. Some of the worst explosions in United States history happened here on the banks of the Brandywine.
The largest and most notorious du Pont explosion happened on October 7. 1890. It began in the Powder Magazine area and set off a series of explosions down the line.
Facebook / Hagley Museum and Library
In just eight seconds, twelve workers were killed and seven buildings were destroyed, and an enormous crater was formed.
Residences in the upper powder yard were destroyed or damaged, and even E.I. du Pont's own home suffered major damage.
Facebook / Hagley Museum and Library

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Wilmington's Christ Church had windows blown out. The explosion was felt as far north as Philadelphia and as far south as Milford. Can you imagine what locals were thinking?
Facebook / Hagley Museum and Library
Over 100 tons of black gunpowder ignited in the explosions, and it truly changed the landscape and culture of the region. Many moved out of the area, and du Pont began to reconsider the safety protocols he had put in place.
Facebook / Hagley Museum and Library
You can visit the remnants of the powder yards and mill race at Hagley, today, and even take a guided tour that focuses on the history, impact, and lessons learned from the Du Pont explosions.
Facebook / Hagley Museum and Library

To learn more about the Explosions Tour, visit the Hagley Museum and Library website, here.

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Hagley Museum, 200 Hagley Creek Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807, USA