Delaware History Museum
Downtown Wilmington's hands-on history museum — small, affordable, and a solid rainy-afternoon stop with kids.
504 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Hours
12 PM – 5 PM
Show the week Hide the week
| Fri | 12 PM – 5 PM |
|---|---|
| Sat | 12 PM – 5 PM |
| Sun | Closed |
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | 12 PM – 5 PM |
| Thu | 12 PM – 5 PM |
Last checked 2026-10-12
- Cost
- $10 adult · $5 (ages 6–17) child
- Best for
- Ages 5–11 (younger kids with a grown-up)
- Indoor / outdoor
- Indoor
- Typical visit
- About 1 hour
An indoor museum visit - more looking than doing, so plan a shorter stop with small kids.
The Quick Version
- • A compact state-history museum on Market Street in downtown Wilmington, run by the Delaware Historical Society.
- • Family draw: a self-guided scavenger hunt for junior historians (best for ages 5–11; younger kids can do it with a grown-up), and the Mitchell Center for African American Heritage is included.
- • Cheap and indoors (adults $10, kids 6–17 $5, 5 and under free), and free for everyone on the first Friday of each month.
- • Small enough for a focused one-hour visit with young kids.
Best Ages
Ages 5–11 (younger kids with a grown-up)
Plan For
About 1 hour
Adults
$10
Kids
$5 (ages 6–17)
What to Expect
The Delaware History Museum is the Delaware Historical Society's downtown museum on Wilmington's Market Street: a compact, affordable stop that tells the state's story through its exhibits, with the Jane & Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage included inside.
It's not a giant hands-on children's museum, so set expectations: it's best for kids who can engage with exhibits. Ask about the self-guided scavenger hunt for junior historians. It's made for all ages and works best for ages 5–11, and younger kids can do it with a grown-up's help. Starting in February 2027, the museum is adding First Friday Story Time: a storybook reading, a hands-on craft or activity, and time to explore together.
The whole thing is small enough for a focused hour, it's indoors (a good rainy-day card), and admission is cheap: $10 adults, $5 kids 6–17, free for 5 and under, and free for everyone on the first Friday of the month. Old Town Hall, the brick building next door, is included too, but unless there's a special exhibit or event there isn't much in it for kids. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday afternoons only, so check the day before you go. Downtown parking is paid garages or limited metered street. Pair it with lunch on Market Street or a walk at the Riverfront nearby.
Who It's Best For
It's a history museum, not a big hands-on children's museum, so it lands best with kids who can engage with exhibits. The self-guided scavenger hunt is aimed at ages 5–11, and younger kids can do it with help from their adult.
Highlights
Junior historian scavenger hunt
Ages 5–11A self-guided hunt through the museum, made for all ages and best for kids 5–11. Little ones can do it with help from their grown-up.
First Friday Story Time (from February 2027)
Little onesA storybook reading, a hands-on craft or activity, and time to explore the museum together, on the first Friday of each month, when admission is free.
Delaware-history exhibits
Ages 6+The state's story in a compact, walkable museum — manageable for kids who can engage with exhibits.
Mitchell Center for African American Heritage
All agesIncluded with admission — a meaningful slice of Delaware history under the same roof.
Right-sized and cheap
All agesSmall, indoor, and inexpensive — an easy hour and a reliable rainy-day stop.
What to Skip with Little Ones
- • Expecting a big hands-on children's museum — that's the Delaware Children's Museum at the Riverfront; this is a history museum.
- • Sunday–Tuesday — it's closed.
- • Planning a long visit — it's a focused hour.
- • Old Town Hall next door: it's included, but unless there's a special exhibit or event there isn't much there for kids.
Logistics
Admission
Adults
$10
Kids
$5 (ages 6–17)
Under
Free for ages 5 and under
Military, seniors and students with ID $8. Free for everyone on the first Friday of each month, and $2 with Art-Reach ACCESS Delaware / Museums for All. Teachers get in free on the third Saturday of each month. The Jane & Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage and Old Town Hall next door are included with admission.
Membership tip: Delaware Historical Society members get in free, worth it if you'll visit more than once or twice.
Getting There
Parking
Paid garages nearby ($9–12 max daily) and limited metered street parking; some free downtown parking evenings/weekends seasonally.
Use a nearby garage — metered street parking on Market Street is limited.
Entrance
504 N Market Street, on the downtown Market Street Mall.
Parent Logistics
It's a compact indoor museum — stroller-friendly throughout.
Restrooms in the museum.
Not confirmed — plan ahead.
Indoors and climate-controlled.
Food & Snacks
No food on-site. No café on site; Market Street and the Riverfront have plenty of lunch options nearby.
Snack strategy: Eat on Market Street downtown before or after — it's a one-hour museum.
Pro Tips
- ✓ Go on the first Friday of the month: admission is free for everyone.
- ✓ Ask for the junior historian scavenger hunt when you arrive.
- ✓ It's cheap and indoors — a great rainy-afternoon downtown stop.
- ✓ Pair it with lunch on Market Street or a Riverfront walk.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
The first Friday of the month, when admission is free. Starting February 2027, First Fridays also bring First Friday Story Time for kids and grown-ups. Otherwise Wednesday–Saturday, 12–5 PM; closed Sunday–Tuesday.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round, Wednesday–Saturday 12–5 PM (closed Sunday–Tuesday). Admission is free on the first Friday of each month. First Friday Story Time (a storybook reading, a craft or activity, and time to explore the museum) starts in February 2027.
Rainy Day?
An indoor museum — a solid rainy-day pick.
While You're in the Area
The Wilmington Riverfront (Delaware Children's Museum, DuPont Environmental Education Center) is minutes away, plus Market Street dining.
Upcoming Events
Haunted Delaware
Fri, Oct 30 at 7:00 PM
Families will hear chilling tales drawn from Delaware’s darker historical moments, presented by author and storyteller Josh Hitchens, who has spent years researching and sharing eerie stories from the First State. The evening includes a Q&A session and a book signing, offering a chance to meet the author and potentially have his books signed.
More infoKnow when something good is on near Delaware History Museum
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