Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library
Date/Time: Thursday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Fee: $37.00

Situated on almost 1,000 acres of idyllic countryside, much of which is devoted to naturalistic gardens, Winterthur is the former home of Henry Francis du Pont and now holds an unparalleled collection of American antiques, decorative arts, paintings, and more. This tour will take guests behind the scenes in Winterthur’s conservation labs and library, where they will have the opportunity to meet with conservators and learn about treatment of paper, books, manuscripts, and ephemera, and explore treasures of the Library’s Rare Book Collection, Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera, and Winterthur Archives. The tour price also provides full admission to the museum and gardens, including the option for guests to take a house tour of the historic mansion at no extra cost.

Mt. Cuba Center
Date/Time: Thursday, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Fee: $12.00

On the grounds surrounding their stately, 1936 colonial-revival home, Lammot and Pamela du Pont Copeland established an extensive botanical garden in the 1980s dedicated to the preservation and conservation of native plants and the natural habitats that sustain them. Focusing on plant species from the Eastern Temperate Forests of the United States, with a particular emphasis on examples from the Appalachian Piedmont, Mt. Cuba’s living collection has received national recognition for several of its special collections. Opened to the general public in 2002, the Mt. Cuba Center continues the Copelands’ legacy of conservation through research, education, and the propagation of native plants. Visitors to the Mt. Cuba Center will enjoy a docent-led tour of the gardens and a behind the scenes look at the Center’s archives.

Delaware History Museum
Date/Time: Thursday, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Fee: $5.00

Take a short walk from the HOTEL DUPONT and spend some time exploring the history of the First State! Housed in a former Woolworth’s Department Store, the Delaware History Museum features permanent and rotating exhibitions that introduce visitors to the state’s rich history through the overarching theme of Delaware: One State, Many Stories. The museum is also home to the Jane and Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage, which presents compelling perspectives of African Americans’ struggles for human rights, freedom and dignity. Join the Head of the Mitchell Center for a guided tour of the groundbreaking Journey to Freedom exhibition, chronicling the African American experience in Delaware and the nation. Once the tour concludes, participants are welcome to explore the galleries at their leisure, including a new exhibition commemorating the centennial of World War I.

Hagley Library AV Tour and Film Screening
Date/Time: Thursday, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Fee: $5.00

Have a blast exploring the audiovisual collections at Hagley Library, located on the grounds of the former DuPont gunpowder works and home to collections documenting the history of business, technology, and industrial design. Your visit starts with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Audiovisual and Digital Initiatives Department. Following the tour, participants will enjoy a screening of rarely-seen commercials and films from Hagley’s collections, including materials from companies like Avon, DuPont, and Wawa, and trade organizations like the United States Chamber of Commerce.

Nemours Mansion & Gardens
Date/Time: Thursday, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Fee: $15.00

Enjoy an afternoon at the gorgeous Nemours Estate, owned by Alfred I. du Pont and located just a short drive from downtown Wilmington. Named for the town represented by du Pont’s great-great-grandfather when he served in the French Estates General, Nemours includes a stunning, 77-room mansion and the largest formal French gardens in North America. The visit will begin with a short movie and docent-led tour of the mansion. Participants will then be treated to a 30-minute scenic drive through the gardens and stories of life on the estate. Afterward, linger as long as you would like on the grounds or take a self-guided tour of the Chauffeur’s Garage, which houses Nemours’ collection of vintage automobiles.

Brandywine River Museum of Art
Date/Time: Thursday, 2 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Fee: $22.00

Hop over to the bucolic Brandywine River Valley for an afternoon exploring one of the foremost collections of American art celebrating the Brandywine region and three generations of the Wyeth family. The visit will begin with an hour-long guided tour of highlights from the Museum collection. Following the gallery tour, participants can choose between three specialty tours: a behind-the-scenes tour of the Research Center that will showcase highlights from the illustrated rare book collection; an Andrew Wyeth Studio Tour; or a tour of Kuerner Farm, a 19th century farmhouse and major source of inspiration for Andrew Wyeth. At the conclusion of the specialty tours, participants may explore the Museum on their own until the galleries close at 4:45 p.m.

Please plan on arriving no later than 1:45 p.m. Participants must select their choice of specialty tour at the time of registration. Registration for specialty tours is limited and is first-come, first-served.

Auburn Heights and the Marshall Steam Museum
Date/Time: Thursday, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Fee: $14.00

Situated within a 390-acre nature preserve near the old industrial village of Yorklyn, Delaware stands Auburn Heights. Constructed in 1897 by local industrialist Israel Marshall and his wife, Elizabeth, the beautiful Queen-Anne style mansion was built to overlook the family’s milling operations. Also on-site is the Marshall Steam Museum which showcases the antique automobile collection of T. Clarence Marshall, youngest son of Israel and Elizabeth. The collection preserves some of the earliest examples of the automotive age and features the world’s largest operating collection of Stanley steam cars. Visitors to the site will enjoy guided tours of both the mansion and the Marshall Steam Museum, as well as a sneak peak into the conservation shop which cares for the beautiful vehicles.

Please note: The Steam Museum is ADA-Accessible but the Auburn Heights mansion is not.

While you are in the area, feel free to stop by the tasting room at Dew Point Brewing Company located just a stone’s throw away in the village of Yorklyn, within the historic Garrett Snuff Mill building.

Twin Lakes Brewing Company
Date/Time: Thursday, 5 p.m.
Fee: $5.00

Founded in nearby Greenville, Delaware in 2006, Twin Lakes Brewing Company describes its beers as being “produced according to historic methods and truly, fresh, local, delicious!” This complete tour of the brewery includes tasting samples of six beers and concludes in the tasting room, where you can purchase additional beers or a house-made, non-alcoholic root beer, and snacks. The perfect, laid back happy hour to welcome you to Delaware and ease you into the MARAC meeting.