Three Museums, Four Centuries of New Castle's History 

The New Castle Historical Society's three museums tell unique and distinct stories about the town's past and its residents. From Dutch laborers and British colonial governors to prominent American architects, the New Castle Historical Society celebrates New Castle's diverse history from the town's 17th century founding through the preservation efforts of the 21st century.

• Treasure your stay amid the old world charm of Old New Castle on the Delaware, with its cobblestone streets, town green, and quaint shopping district.
• Huddle around the fireplace in the house of humble laborers and see where they slept after a hard days work.
• Step into Governor Van Dyke's front parlor, where George Washington once helped to celebrate a wedding.
• Feel the warmth of the patina of timeless American and European antiques.
• Stroll the brick paths of early gardens of boxwood, perennials, and herbs.

Guided tours for individual guests or groups include an overview of the history of the houses, the families who lived at the sites, and collections contained within the museums.

Click the photo to learn more about the house. Amstel House The First Grand Mansion of Delaware 2 East Fourth Street, New Castle, DE 19720 Annual Schedule: Walk-in, guided tours are available April 1 - December 31. (Please note, the museums are closed Monday & Tuesday. Opening and closing dates may vary according to day of the week.) Group tours are available year round by appointment. Call 302-322.2794.  Museum Hours:  Wednesday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm. Amstel House tours begin at 10 am, Noon, and 2 pm. Sunday, 12-4. Amstel House tours begin at Noon and 2 pm. (Tours are approximately 40 minutes)   Garden Hours:  Daily, Sunrise to Sunset NOTE: From April through mid-June, large student groups often visit the museum between 10 am and 1 pm on weekdays. To avoid any inconvenience, please call the Society at 302-322-2794 to check our schedule of school tours before your visit.  Admission: All tickets are sold at the Amstel House. Adults $5 for Amstel House $9 for combination ticket to Amstel and Dutch Houses. Children Ages 6-12, $2.00 for Amstel House $3.00 for combination ticket to Amstel and Dutch Houses.   We accept, cash, checks, debit or credit (MasterCard, Visa, Discover or American Express) for admission tickets at the Amstel House

Click the photo to learn more about the house. Dutch House Delaware’s Early Colonial Gem 32 East Third Street,New Castle, DE 19720 Annual Schedule: Walk-in, guided tours are available April 1 - December 31. (Please note, the museums are closed Monday & Tuesday. Opening and closing dates may vary according to day of the week.) Group tours are available year round by appointment. Call 302-322-2794. Museum Hours:  Wednesday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm. Dutch House tours begin at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Sunday, 12-4. Dutch House tours begin at 1 pm and 3 pm. (Tours are approximately 40 minutes)   Garden Hours:  Daily, Sunrise to Sunset NOTE: From April through mid-June, large student groups often visit the museum between 10 am and 1 pm on weekdays. To avoid any inconvenience, please call the Society at 302-322-2794 to check our schedule of school tours before your visit.  Admission: All tickets are sold at the Amstel House. Adults $5 for Dutch House $9 for combination ticket to Amstel and Dutch Houses. Children Ages 6-12, $2.00 for Dutch House $3.00 for combination ticket to Amstel and Dutch Houses.   Please visit the Amstel House to purchase admission tickets with cash, check or credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover or American Express).

DISCOUNTED ADMISSION

Partner Places - National Trust For Historic Preservation

Members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation receive discounted admission to the Amstel and Dutch Houses. NTHP members receive $2.00 off a combination ticket to both houses or $1.00 off a ticket to a single house. To receive the discount, you must show your current NTHP membership card at the time of purchase. Cannot be combined with other discounts. 

AUDIO TOURS

New Castle AudioWalk

The New Castle Historical Society offers a self-guided audio walking tour of the New Castle Historic District for individuals that want to learn more about the New Castle National Historic Landmark District. The MP3-based tour may be rented at the Amstel House during regular business hours (and M-F, 9 am to 4 pm in January through March). For more information about the New Castle AudioWalk, or our many group tour options, please visit our Educational Programs & Tours page. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Parking  

Free on-street parking is available throughout New Castle. On special event days, satellite parking is available and noted on your approach to the town.

Severe Weather Policy

The museums and offices of the New Castle Historical Society are closed for severe weather whenever the Colonial School District is closed. To check the school district's status visit wjbr.com or listen to 99.5 FM in Wilmington, Delaware.

There is limited wheelchair access in our historic buildings. The first floor of the Amstel House is fully accessible. 

Sidewalks in Historic New Castle are brick and may be uneven in places. 

The Society has a limited number of lightweight portable seats available in the Amstel House & Dutch House for the convenience of our guests. 

Photography is not permitted within the museums of the New Castle Historical Society without express written consent of the Society. Exterior photography is welcomed and encouraged!

The Amstel and Dutch House gardens are beautiful settings for wedding, fashion and portrait photography.  Contact our director, Mike Connolly, at 302-322-2794 to make arrangements to use the gardens for your special photo shoot.  A donation to support the maintenance of the gardens is requested. 

A museum shop is available in the Amstel House and in the Old Library Museum.

To preserve the integrity of our historic buildings, the Society has no public restrooms in our museums. Public restrooms are available at the New Castle Courthouse and Battery Park.

Our historic museums are air-conditioned in summer.

Public restrooms are available at the New Castle Court House and in Battery Park. 

Battery Park, along the Delaware River, has picnic tables, a playground, tennis and basketball courts, and a walking path. The walking path is part of the East Coast Greenway.

New Castle Dining

There are several restaurants located within walking distance of the Society's museums including: 

Caroline's ($)

China East ($)

CJ Dawg's ($)

Jessop's Tavern ($$$)

Nora Lee's French Quarter Bistro ($$ - $$$)

Porto-Fino's Pizza & Restaurant ($$)

Three Crowns ($)

Traders Cove ($)

New Castle Shopping

Be sure to visit our locally-owned stores and specialty shops located in Historic New Castle Town Center, including:       

Bertie's Bags & Sew On

Blue Heron Art Gallery

Bridgewater Jewelers

Cactus Wren Gallery

Carousel Beads

Cobblestones

Common Goods & Embelishments

Historic Village Quilts

Oak Knoll Books

Penn's Place

Two Morrow's Stitches That Count

Lodging

Lodging is available in Historic New Castle at 

The Terry House B&B  

The Kentucky Derby Inn 

Other New Castle lodging includes:

The Clarion Belle

Quality Inn & Suites Skyways

Additional lodging is available in Christiana, Bear, & Wilmington, Delaware. 

For additional information about visiting New Castle, visit Historic New Castle Information. 

Questions?   

Call 302-322-2794, or email us at nchistorical@aol.com for information.