2 Best Sights in Centreville, Delaware

Henry Francis du Pont (1880–1969) housed his 85,000 objects of American decorative art in a sprawling nine-story country estate called Winterthur. The collection, displayed in 175 rooms, is recognized as one of the nation's finest. Its objects, made or used in America between 1640 and 1860, include Chippendale furniture, silver tankards by Paul Revere, and Chinese porcelain made for George Washington. To view the collection, you can choose between an hour-long introductory tour, different one-hour theme tours (such as "American Interiors"), and two-hour tours that delve into ceramics, textiles, or furniture. The museum also has galleries with permanent displays and changing exhibitions of antiques and crafts to study at your own pace. No children under 8 are allowed except on the daily family tours (March–October), which are open to all but geared to kids ages 4 to 12. Surrounding the estate are 982 acres of landscaped lawns and naturalistic gardens, which you can visit on a 30-minute narrated tram ride or on your own. The Enchanted Woods is a fantasy-theme 3-acre children's garden with an 8-foot-wide bird's nest, a faerie cottage with a thatch roof, and a troll bridge. A gift shop and cafeteria, which serves Sunday brunch, are also on the grounds.

A restored mid-19th-century mill community on 235 landscaped acres along the Brandywine River, the Hagley Museum and Library provides an enlightening look at the development of early industrial America and the du Pont family's role in it. This is the site of the first of the family's black-powder mills (founded 1802), family estate, and gardens. A visitor center provides historical context and some DuPont Company history, and live demonstrations depict the dangerous work of the early explosives industry. Admission includes a narrated bus tour through the powder yards with stops at Eleutherian Mills, the 1803 Georgian-style home furnished by five generations of du Ponts (guided tour of house included); Workers' Hill, where costumed interpreters describe the life of a typical mill worker; demonstrations in a machine shop and power yard; and a French Renaissance–style garden.

Be prepared for some walking and allow a minimum of two hours for your visit, which can include tours and self-guided exploration.