Port Penn Interpretive Center

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Port Penn, DE
Port Penn Interpretive Center

The Port Penn Interpretive Center tells the story of the historic wetland communities along the Delaware River

Port Penn Center is a one-room school turned into a museum. It is open 10-4 weekends/holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day Weekends

06/01/2026

We love historic images! Today we have this undated photo of some Port Penn trappers with their haul of pelts.

Image courtesy of the Port Penn Area Historical Society.

05/28/2026

The Port Penn Interpretive Center will be open this summer! Our hours will be 10 am to 4 pm, every Tuesday from June 16 to September 1. Stop by and visit!

05/11/2026

We are getting really excited for the Waterman Statue Dedication on May 17! The Port Penn Interpretive Center will be open for this event. Hope to see you there!

05/07/2026

We are going to be having a Wetland Trail Walk on Saturday, May 16 at 6 pm. This program is free and meets at the Port Penn Interpretive Center. Wear shoes that you don't mind getting a little muddy!

04/30/2026

Today's history excerpt comes from Julie Sidwell, who, with her husband Bill, had a major hand in acquiring the Port Penn Schoolhouse to set up as a museum. This excerpt comes from an interview between Julie and Bill with Mike Miller on October 27, 1997.

"MM: Do you remember who had the original idea for the museum? If anyone.

JS: Yes, I think I can tell you. We were having a meeting one night, a very, very early on meeting and we were meeting in Thelma Bendler's house and there was quite a group there. And Barbara Eaton said, "Wouldn't it be nice if we could get the schoolhouse and make it into a museum?" and she got laughed down....You know, it looked like an impossible dream but I said, "Well, now, don't knock it. There's nothing that's impossible if you put your mind to it." So they said, "Well, you know." They took that into consideration so that was a goal. That was a goal."

Excerpt edited slightly for clarity. Photo courtesy of the Port Penn Area Historical Society (portpenn.org.)

04/28/2026

We love historic images! Today we have this great photo of Carl Morris and Bob Beck with an impressive catch of sturgeon. This photo is circa 1954.

Photo courtesy of the Port Penn Area Historical Society.

04/20/2026

Some more historical photos for you to enjoy, courtesy of the Port Penn Area Historical Society!

04/17/2026

Only one month to go until our Museum Reopening event on May 17! Will you be there?

04/13/2026

An amusing story from long-time Port Penn resident Betty Blansfield:

"That's what I majored in...when I went to Beacom, was accounting....Because they would send you on your interview, and they sent me out on my first interview when it was time to graduate and they sent me to Atlas Powder that time. When I went, they sent me to a place where it was going to be all shorthand. Shorthand was not my thing, mainly because I could never spell. I thought I'd be in college for a year before I learned to spell Chattanooga. But that was really why I could take the shorthand but then when I 'd have to transcribe it, I wasn't good at spelling, you know.

And I can remember going back to Beacom and I said, 'Don't you ever send me to an office where I've got to take shorthand again.' So they sent me back. It was an accounting job and I really had a nice boss, he was really nice and he hired me and all. And I was there about a week and he said, 'Betty, I understand you can take shorthand...my secretary's away...'"

From an interview conducted by Linda Orr and Emily Irwin on October 11, 2012. Photograph shows Betty's parents, Birdie and Connor Dyer. Courtesy of the Port Penn Area Historical Society.

Excerpt edited for clarity

04/09/2026

A reminder that we will be having a Historic Town Tour this Saturday (April 11) at 2 pm. All are welcome!

Address

Route 9
Port Penn, DE
19720

Telephone

+13028362533

Website

https://www.destateparks.com/port-penn/

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