Dover, the capital of the state of Delaware, is an ideal vacation spot for the entire family. For those with an interest in history, art, or museums, the area surrounding Dover is full of both history and art museums, so anyone is sure to find something to visit. Check out these museums that are especially fascinating.
Biggs Museum of American Art
Built in 1933, theBiggs Museum of American Art houses has accrued a large and varied collection of American fine and decorative arts. Artists on exhibit include the Peale family, Alberet Bierstadt, Gilbert Stuart, and Childe Hassam. They also offer a number of changing exhibits, which in the past have included collections of Delaware silver, hand-made greeting cards from Delaware and other communities, and an exhibition featuring the State’s Modernist art exhibit.
The museum also partakes in a number of art educational projects in the local community. The museum does not charge admission, and they are open from 9:00 A.M.-4:30 P.M. Tuesday through Saturday and 1:30-4:30 P.M. on Sundays. Their contact information is as follows:
406 Federal Street
Dover, DE 19901
(302)-674-2111
Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village
Founded with the intent of preserving Delaware’s agricultural heritage, the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village is an ideal place to learn about the farming practices that were once such a part of American life. The Village itself includes such buildings as the train station, church, schoolhouse, and mill, all of which have been restored so that they appear as authentic as possible.
The Main Exhibit Hall features the technological advances developed and used by Delaware farmers, including power inventions, dairying inventions, and much more. The museum also features a number of changing exhibits, which in the past have included “Secrets of the Soil,” “Eye to the Sky: Climate and Crops,” and “Decades on the Farm.”
They also offer a range of activities for schools and other groups. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. Admission is $5 for Adults, $3 for seniors and students, and free for members and children under 3. Their contact information is as follows:
866 North DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
(302)-734-1618
Milford Museum
Located in nearby Milford and housed in a former post office, the Milford Museum has a number of permanent exhibits that tell the story of the town from its beginnings. These exhibits include model ships representing the town’s naval past and a 300-piece collection of coins, spoons, and novelties. Other exhibits seek to explain elements of the town’s past, including notable personalities, a variety of architecture, photographs, and historical memorabilia.
They also have a series of changing exhibits, which have included dental tools from L.D. Caulk Company and an antique doll collection, as well as a research library on Delaware history. They welcome group tours. They do not charge admission (though donations are welcome.) They are open Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 4 P.M. Their contact information is as follows:
121 South Walnut Street
Milford, DE 19963
(304)-424-1080
Fortunately for the family traveling on a budget, these museums are also quote reasonably priced, so the budget-conscious traveler will have plenty of money left over to partake in other activities in the area.
