The Delaware Historical Society was founded in May 1864 for “the elucidation of history, particularly such portions as may refer to Delaware.” Over the next 15 decades, the organization refined its stated purpose to reflect both a changing society and the evolution of the public history profession.
Initially the Society was located in a single rented room in the Wilmington Institute. But, as collections grew, they moved into the Masonic Temple, then the Grand Opera House, and later the First Presbyterian Church, before acquiring a permanent home in historic Old Town Hall in 1916. But the onset of the World War I crippled fundraising efforts to pay the remaining debt on Old Town Hall, so it was rented to the Red Cross from 1917 to 1919, before falling into disrepair in the early 1920s. Several wealthy Wellingtonians paid off the debt a few years later and Old Town Hall was restored in time for the Society’s grand re-opening in 1928.
<< Read less >>
<< Read More >>
Initially the Society was located in a single rented room in the Wilmington Institute. But, as collections grew, they moved into the Masonic Temple, then the Grand Opera House, and later the First Presbyterian Church, before acquiring a permanent home in historic Old Town Hall in 1916. But the onset of the World War I crippled fundraising efforts to pay the remaining debt on Old Town Hall, so it was rented to the Red Cross from 1917 to 1919, before falling into disrepair in the early 1920s. Several wealthy Wellingtonians paid off the debt a few years later and Old Town Hall was restored in time for the Society’s grand re-opening in 1928.