Get a peek into the Colonial justice system when you visit the only Colonial-era structure in the City of Wilmington that is open to the public. The Burgwin-Wright House was constructed in 1770 – on top of the ballast foundation of the first city jail of Wilmington, which was built in 1744.
Today, the house operates as a museum and gardens. It offers tours to the public of the house, the gardens, and the sub-basement jail.
From afar, it's natural to think the brick foundation of this massive former home built in 1770 by John Burgwin is just that: a beautiful, brick foundation.
When Burgwin purchased the property in 1769, there remained three brick structures. All three structures were part of the first city jail in Wilmington. Burgwin incorporated two of them into the foundation of his new town home.
Today, it's filled with opulent decor befitting this grand old mansion from the Colonial era.
Did you know there are only four Colonial-era homes in the City of Wilmington that have survived over the centuries? Have you visited the Burgwin-Wright House Museum & Gardens yet? What did you think of Colonial-era methods of justice? Feel free to join the discussion in the comments!
Know of another interesting museum we should feature here? You can nominate it here… just like another reader nominated the Burgwin-Wright House Museum & Gardens!
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