Steeped in History, Swedish, Dutch and English Settlers Populated Wilmington

1/4/2021 (Permalink)

Great flood damage assistance is hard to find. Call the professionals at SERVPRO with their IICRC certified technicians and updated equipment.

Enjoy Many Indoor and Outdoor Activities in Wilmington

The first Swedish settlements in North America, Kristinehamn, Timmerön / Timber Island Sidoland (South Wellington), Strandviken, and Översidolandet, are now encompassed by the city of Wilmington. Settlers arrived initially in 1638 and built Fort Christina. Initially, under Swedish rule, the Dutch captured the fort in 1655, later to be overtaken by the British in 1664. In 1739, the name was again changed from Willington to Wilmington to commemorate the Earl of Wilmington.

Wilmington provided ships, railroad cars, shoes, and many other war-related goods during the civil war. One of the significant supplies included gunpowder, manufactured at a plant on the Brandywine River by Eleuthère Irénée du Pont, who later became a powerful industrialist. The city benefitted from the civil war and later both world wars with shipyards, machinery, and chemical producers. Many other products were also produced, creating a massive demand for workers and driving growth in the region. Currently, the city has evolved to focus on international and national banks and credit card operations as the primary employment source. Wilmington is also close to Philadelphia, which provides many job opportunities and entertainment venues for residents.

Local Venues to Visit in Wilmington and Surrounding Area

Whether you enjoy outdoor activities, visiting homes or museums with a long history in the past, or enjoying local restaurants and sports, there is something for everyone. The city has designated nine areas as historic districts and one as a conservation district. The following is a list of exciting places that locals and tourists enjoy:

• Nemours Estate
• Hagley Museum and Library
• Wilmington River Walk
• Wilmington and Western Railroad
• Grand Opera House
• Delaware Children's Museum
• Delaware Art Museum
• Frawley Stadium
• Bellevue State Park
• Brandywine Creek State Park
• The Queen

Nemours Estate

The estate was designed and built as a gift to Alfred DuPont's second wife, Alicia. It encompassed 3000 acres with a home that followed an 18th century French Style. The estate house was constructed with all of the latest modern technology available and a number of his inventions. This home was one of the grandest homes in the area. DuPont added extensive gardens, including a large reflecting pool and several scenic paths connecting various property areas.

Visitors can explore the home and the grounds following self-guided tours. They can also join regularly scheduled tours to learn intimate details about the DuPont family's life and times. Call ahead for scheduled tours and visiting hours.

Wilmington River Walk

The Wilmington River Walk runs from Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park to the Shipyard Shops and extends to the DuPont Environmental Education Center. The walkway extends for 1.3 miles, with many sitting areas to enjoy the natural beauty of the trees, shrubs, and grasses along the Christina River. There are also numerous restaurants offering fresh seafood, delicious meals, all with a great view of the boardwalk and the river.

Delaware Children's Museum

The museum's excellent family attractions encourage imaginative minds to learn through play and experience math, science, and technology. Over 37,000 square feet of interactive activities will entertain the entire family and have some fun away from everyday life's hustle and bustle. There are a variety of exhibits for various age groups, including:

• 30-foot climbing walls – learning to climb up and down
• The structure exhibit – learn about components and careers in architecture
• The Power of Me – how does my bodywork
• Bank on it – learn money management skills
• Training Wheels – transportation themed

Call ahead for opening hours and event schedules.

The Brandywine Creek State Park

The park covers 1,100 acres of forests and meadows with miles of trails for hiking and cycling. A portion of the park was originally part of the DuPont Family estate. There is an 18-hole golf course, as well as a 5k cross country course. During the warmer month's visitors can canoe or go tubing along the Brandywine River. Locals enjoy the autumn colors, sledding in the winter, bird watching, and relaxing walks along the many trails. 

The Brandywine Creek park has 14 miles of hiking trails with mixed difficulty. Some are paved, while others are rustic or rough. Popular trails include the 

• Brandywine Creek river loop, considered moderate difficulty and 7.7 km long
• Rocky Run Loop is also regarded as moderate and 5.1 km long.
• Indian Springs Trail is thought to be moderate at 3.7 km long.
• Woodlawn trail considered moderate at 15.9 km long.
• Brandywine Creek Loop considered moderate at 18.8 km long and 
• Five additional routes, all considered comfortable of varying lengths.

Bikes are permitted on some trails; hunting is not allowed, while fishing is approved with a fishing license. Maps can be obtained online or at the park to help visitors explore the park. The park is open from March through November.

SERVPRO Can Martial Resources to Respond to Flood Damage in Wilmington

Floodwaters can materialize in minutes, causing extensive damage, leaving destroyed homes and businesses with debris, chemical, and biological contamination. Often there is no warning, and many people barely escape with their lives. 

Our highly trained technicians have the equipment, experience, and knowledge to respond to these catastrophic events. We provide:

• Board up services
• Emergency power
• Removal of debris, chemical, and biological waste
• Water removal, cleaning, and drying of structures and contents
• Reconstruction and restoration services

SERVPRO has been providing service to the area since 1990. Our franchise has assisted other franchises and clients in their time of need. Likewise, should there be a sizable catastrophic flood in our area, our sister franchises would provide help in return. Our clients can depend on us to marshal the resources required to respond to any size of flood disaster. Our team is onsite within four hours of the initial call to assess the situation and coordinate a response.

SERVPRO of Hockessin/Elsmere provides flood damage assistance to Wilmington residential and retail/business commercial companies and surrounding areas. Call (302) 992-0104. Our SERVPRO team is ready to respond 24/7 to help with all your flood damage needs.