Auburn Valley State Park

06/02/2026

✨Hidden in Plain Sight at Auburn Heights, pt.6✨

On display we have carved jade figurines, likely inspired by traditional Chinese art. The creature appears to be a Pixiu or a lion-like beast. Jade has been treasured in China for over 7,000 years. It can symbolize protection, wealth, immorality, etc. As we see in the image, the Pixiu is believed to attract wealth and good fortune and protect against evil spirits. This style specifically became modern in the 19th-20th century.

05/22/2026

Due to inclement weather for Saturday, May 23rd, Seeing the Landscape: A Plein Air Experience will be canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to reschedule the event soon.

05/08/2026

FUN FACT FRIDAY📸: Carriage House 1902

"Always wanting to tinker and build something, my father had various places at the Auburn Heights property that served as his shop. The old quarry in the woods off route 82 that had furnished granite for Auburn Heights in 1897 and the carriage house in 1902 was opened up and used so the stone would match the other buildings. A front door, wide and high enough to accommodate cars of the time, supplemented seven windows on the main floor and four more plus a walk-in door in the basement. A pit was designed in the wood floor to work on the underside of cars from below." How It was- Selections from Tom Marshall's Weekly News

05/06/2026

Mansion tours are cancelled for Thursday, May 7th. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
We will reopen with tours running on Friday, May 8th, 2026. We hope to see you on a tour soon!

04/27/2026

We are still conducting interviews and taking applications for our maintenance team. Join our awesome staff and help shape the future of the newest Delaware State Park! See the post below for information and apply today!

Look at all these happy faces waiting for you to join our team! We have two positions currently open on our maintenance team. If you are active, love the outdoors, and are good with grounds maintenance, click the links below and learn more!
Full-time contractual with benefits, facilitie,s and grounds maintenance technician:
https://www.kentcd.org/jobs/facilities-and-grounds-maintenance-technician-nccd/
Seasonal maintenance technician:
https://www.jobapscloud.com/DE/sup/bulpreview.asp?b=&R1=021026&R2=MXCC03&R3=400301

04/24/2026

✨ Hidden in Plain Sight at Auburn Heights, pt.5✨

This metal bowl is in a set of three, which are all displayed in the parlor at Auburn Heights. The metal bowl has decorative engravings of dragons and other designs. On the bottom of the bowl, "China" is engraved.

Not much history is known about this piece in relation to the Marshalls.

04/17/2026

FUN FACT FRIDAY📸: Clifford Murray

"When my parents were looking for an outside handyman in 1929, Clifford, was looking for a job. One Sunday afternoon in early September, he came for an interview, which was held on the front porch of Auburn Heights (it had summer outdoor furniture, rope rugs, awnings, and rose trellises in those days). The next thing I knew Clifford was washing one of my father’s Packard’s under the shed in front of the garage. We soon became fast friends, a relationship that lasted until his death in January 1981. My mother called him “Clifford,” my father “Cliff” or “Murray,” and I had many names for him, as he did for me. Some of mine: “Cliffey,” “C. Murray” (the way he signed his name), and “Crimmin.” His names for me included “Jack” and “George.” He was known all over Yorklyn as Cliff and very popular with the local population. He was a pillar in Chippey Chapel A.U.M.P. Church and the black community in Hockessin."- Tom Marshall, HOW IT WAS📖.

04/10/2026

✨ Hidden in Plain Sight at Auburn Heights, pt. 4✨

Esther Marshall, who was the second generation to live at Auburn Heights, enjoyed collecting milk glass pieces. Here we have a bullhead that separates into two pieces.

Milk glass is a translucent white or opaque glass that was first produced in the 16th century in Italy. It was "affordable porcelain" through It later became popular during the Victorian era. It also went through a "golden age" from 1940 to 1970.

Do you have milk glass at home? If yes, share a picture with us in the comment section 😊!

04/06/2026

This past weekend the Marshall Steam Museum hosted their annual Easter Egg Hunt at Auburn Heights! 🐣

As always we had many returning guest and new guests who decided to join in on the fun🥳!

We appreciate everyone who came out on Friday and Saturday and to our dedicated volunteers who are always willing to help💚.