Welcome to Wilmington, Delaware
Nearly 75,000 people call the city of Wilmington, Delaware home. As the largest city in Delaware the possibilities here are absolutely endless. Everything from fascinating historical landmarks such as the Kalmar Nyckel, a replica of the Swedish warship that originally landed on Delaware back in 1638, to priceless art at the Delaware Art Museum to trendy music found in the corners of downtown can be found in Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley.
After years of industry through fur trade, crop milling and shipbuilding, Wilmington was certified by England in 1739 and hailed victory along with the other 12 colonies in 1776 when Wilmington's own Caesar Rodney issued the final vote to freedom. Over the next couple of decades local mills helped to feed the blasting and gun powder needs of hunters, soldiers and construction projects throughout America. Now anchored by companies such as the DuPont Company, Hercules, Inc. and ICI Americas, this field of the chemical industry started small in the early 1800s and has grown to what it is now because of the people of Delaware and Wilmington. Today the industry that employs the largest number of Delawareans and a large portion of Wilmington residents is the electronic banking industry.
The mild climate of Wilmington, an average summer temperature of 76 degrees and average winter temperature of 33 degrees with reasonable snowfall in January, February and March, makes the area perfect for an abundance of outdoor activities. Blue Diamond Park is a local attraction providing breakthrough sports and entertainment options. Come here to play a round of mini-golf, watch a motocross event, or go for a spin one of the over twenty rides and attractions. Take a stroll through the parks and gardens found throughout Wilmington or take advantage of the opportunities available on the Christina Riverfront. Here you'll find shopping in the Shipyard Shops, water taxis to take you along the river, the Riverfront Market offering scrumptious food and produce and beautiful flowers, or stop off while walking along the 1.2 mile landscaped Riverwalk at the Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park that is dedicated to the Underground Railroad heroes Harriett Tubman and Thomas Garrett.
With far too many historical and cultural attractions to mention, the most popular are Fort Christina, Old Town Hall, and the Holy Trinity Church (also known as the Old Swedes Church) which is the oldest Protestant church in the United States and registered as a national historic landmark. Enjoy the arts at the Brandywine River Museum, the Cab Calloway Museum/Gallery in nearby Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, and the Delaware Center of the Contemporary Arts and the Christina Cultural Arts Center both located in downtown Wilmington. Museum offerings include the Delaware Museum of Natural History.
The Wilmington area is serviced by four school districts for primary and secondary education and is home to a number of universities and colleges including Wilmington College, University of Delaware – Wilmington, Delaware College of Art and Design and Springfield College.
