Built in 1851 as the retirement estate of Wilmington native Joseph Shipley, Rockwood reflects his love of English architecture and landscape design. The 72-acre site has a picnic grove, gardens, urban wildlife habitat, pet-friendly parkland and paved trails linking to the Northern Delaware Greenway - open daily without charge.
The mission of the site - owned, maintained and operated by New Castle County - is to serve residents and visitors through education and recreation, while preserving and maintaining the historic 19th Century mansion, its collections and grounds. The county advances that mission by presenting an ongoing variety of youth- and family-friendly public programming in the historic buildings and on the grounds, as well as hosting signature annual events and offering facility rental.
