Delaware Visitor Center and Galleries
Closing December 31, 2009
A view of Delaware from above ground level helps to explain the story of its people, the evolution of its economy and the development of its population centers. From above, one gains a better awareness of the network of waterways that helped to shape Delaware as it exists today. The industry of shipbuilding that grew in Delaware filled a need that was created by the creeks, streams, and rivers that cut natural transportation routes through the land. Native people and early settlers learned how to use the resources available to them and establish important channels of commerce, leading to economic growth. Settlements became towns, towns matured into cities, and entire industries grew within them to support trade and provide the vessels needed to transport goods.
The exhibit will focus on the industry of shipbuilding and the people who were involved with it. Different types of water craft will be examined, from dug-out canoes used by Native Americans, to the iron and wooden steam vessels that came later. The many inlets and tidal rivers, the abundance of virgin oak forests, and the commodities made from natural resources that were abundant in Delaware formed the foundation for an industry that created jobs and spread economic growth. For a period of time from the late 19th to early 20th century, Delaware became the largest shipbuilding region in the nation, meeting a demand for iron and wooden steam vessels.
The Mispillion, Christina, Broadkill and Nanticoke rivers gained prominence during the peak years of shipbuilding in Delaware, as towns grew and prospered from the economic base that developed. Wide varieties of ships were built that served a variety of needs, from fishing and oystering to transport of goods. Ships of different sizes were constructed according to the size of the river and local needs. People used the waters in and around the state in differing ways through the years, shaped by the ways the rivers and bays were navigated. You will discover who started the shipbuilding industry in Delaware, how and why it developed, and its importance to a region's economy. From dugout canoes to World War II vessels to today's restorations, the exhibit is a means of saving this important Delaware history in the 21st century.
