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
| Sat | 12 PM – 5 PM |
|---|---|
| Sun | Closed |
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | 12 PM – 5 PM |
| Thu | 12 PM – 5 PM |
| Fri | 12 PM – 5 PM |
Last checked 2026-09-14
- Cost
- $6 adult · $4 child
- Best for
- Ages 5+ (younger kids on Discover History Saturdays)
- 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: 'Discover History Saturdays' with crafts, interactive storytime, and activities; the Mitchell Center for African American Heritage is included.
- • Cheap and indoors (adults $6, kids $4); open Wednesday–Saturday afternoons — a good rainy-day card.
- • Small enough for a focused one-hour visit with young kids.
Best Ages
Ages 5+ (younger kids on Discover History Saturdays)
Plan For
About 1 hour
Adults
$6
Kids
$4
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 changing 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 elementary-age kids and up who can engage with exhibits, and it shines for families on 'Discover History Saturdays,' when it adds crafts, interactive storytime, and activities aimed at younger kids.
The whole thing is small enough for a focused hour, it's indoors (a good rainy-day card), and admission is cheap — $6 adults, $4 kids. It's 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 elementary-age kids and up who can engage with exhibits. Younger kids do best on Discover History Saturdays, when crafts and storytime are added.
Highlights
Discover History Saturdays
Little onesCrafts, interactive storytime, and hands-on activities aimed at younger kids — the day to come with little ones.
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.
Logistics
Admission
Adults
$6
Kids
$4
Under
Reduced/free for little ones — check at the desk
Adults $6, children $4; the Jane & Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage is included with admission.
Membership tip: A Delaware Historical Society membership covers admission here and at its other downtown sites 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
- ✓ Time it for a Discover History Saturday for the kid-focused programming.
- ✓ 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
Discover History Saturdays for the kid-focused programming. Otherwise Wednesday–Saturday, 12–5 PM; closed Sunday–Tuesday.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round, Wednesday–Saturday 12–5 PM (closed Sunday–Tuesday). Discover History Saturdays add family crafts, interactive storytime, and activities.
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
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