Laurel (Delaware) Historical Society

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Laurel (Delaware) Historical Society The town claims five governors of Delaware: Nathaniel Mitchell (1805-1808), John Collins (1821-1825), William B. Cooper (1841-1845), William H. Join us!

Laurel was established in 1789 on the site of a former Nanticoke Indian reservation, and grew to become one of the wealthiest towns in Delaware by the late 19th century. Ross (1851-1855), and Elbert N. Carvel (1949-1953, 1961-1965). Today Laurel is a hub of historic architecture, with approximately 700 contributing buildings in the National Register-listed Laurel Historic District alone. The Laurel Historical Society was founded in 1977 in the aftermath of the Bicentennial celebration. The original group of 60 founding members has grown to nearly 300, and the society owns or manages four museums: Rosemont, the home of Governor Nathaniel Mitchell (121 Delaware Ave); the recently-restored Hitchens Homestead (205 Willow St); the Cook House (502 E. 4th St); and the Laurel Heritage Museum, a.k.a. the Train Station (215 Mechanic St). The society also owns and plans to restore the George B. Phillips House (502 S Central Ave). It's an exciting time to be part of the Laurel Historical Society!

10/13/2026

DELAWARE SNAPSHOT 📸
Basketful of Delaware
Marvil Package Co. near Laurel was the state’s No. 1 producer of handmade wooden containers from light strawberry pints to heavy watermelon crates, able to make 35,000 versatile, peach-popular baskets in a day. One of many businesses serving the needs of our top industry – agriculture – it also echoes two new exhibits at the Delaware Public Archives in Dover. A digital display called “Grown & Gathered: Harvest in the First State” explores the evolution of our growing season’s end, and the main exhibit, “Tracks, Towns & Transformation: How the Railroad Changed Delaware,” shows how early lines’ arrival here created new towns and businesses.
– Compiled by robin brown, Writer-in-Residence
Delaware Public Archives
Department of Agriculture Collection
Board of Agriculture Glass Negative Collection
Photo: October 1922
ID: 1380-000-006_6_

It is with great sorrow, but also fond memories, that we mourn the passing of our local centenarian, and founding member...
10/12/2026

It is with great sorrow, but also fond memories, that we mourn the passing of our local centenarian, and founding member and past president of the Laurel Historical Society, Mr. Kendal T. Jones.

In a recent letter to the society's officers, Mr. Jones reflected on his 100th birthday celebration held on September 6th, writing, "Every day I look at cards, read the newsletter, read the local paper, remember conversations of the day—and smile! . . . I feel so proud of the Society and its growth, and am glad to have been a part of it at a very different time."

We are standing on Mr. Jones's shoulders, and his legacy will continue to shape the Laurel Historical Society for generations to come.

Please join us at Abbott's On Broad Creek on Saturday, October 24th, for our fall dinner and a fascinating presentation ...
10/05/2026

Please join us at Abbott's On Broad Creek on Saturday, October 24th, for our fall dinner and a fascinating presentation by Will Koth of Trap Pond State Park! Full registration form in comments below.

10/01/2026

Anyone know what Happy Whaley’s real name was?

"Happy" Whaley's country store at Whaley's Crossroads, probably 1940s. The photographer is standing on the north side of...
09/29/2026

"Happy" Whaley's country store at Whaley's Crossroads, probably 1940s. The photographer is standing on the north side of Route 24 and facing east towards the intersection with Road 62, or today's Whaleys & E. Trap Pond Roads. How about those Grapette, Pepsi, and Royal Crown signs?

📷: Photo courtesy of Kyle Downes.

More photos of the flood of 1994.📷: Bill Hearn, courtesy of Bret Elliott.
09/28/2026

More photos of the flood of 1994.

📷: Bill Hearn, courtesy of Bret Elliott.

Flooding at South Fork, 1994.📷: Photo by the late Bill Hearn, courtesy of Bret Elliott.
09/27/2026

Flooding at South Fork, 1994.

📷: Photo by the late Bill Hearn, courtesy of Bret Elliott.

Broad Creek Primitive Baptist Church, photographed by Frank Zebley in 1936. Who remembers this house of worship?📷: Delaw...
09/27/2026

Broad Creek Primitive Baptist Church, photographed by Frank Zebley in 1936. Who remembers this house of worship?

📷: Delaware Public Archives

09/23/2026

It's a Laurel Historical Society takeover! This week's guests are George Denney and Artez West, society president and vice president, respectively. Chris and Crystal sat down with George and Artez at historic Rosemont for a conversation about the society's past and future.

Topics discussed:

● George's journey from Wilmington to Salisbury State to student teaching in Laurel.

● Artez's deep local roots and his business, Monarch Transportation.

● How the teacher and the student became lifelong friends.

● The Laurel (Delaware) Historical Society.

● The incredible growth of the society during the past decade, and the acquisition of the Hitchens Homestead, Rosemont, and the Phillips house.

● Memorable moments including a local sports history dinner and a Harriet Tubman-themed bus trip.

● What do George and Artez hope to see the society accomplish during the next five to ten years?

● An important announcement.

● Upcoming events including free museum tours on 10/4, the fall dinner and presentation by Will Koth of Trap Pond State Park on 10/24, and trick or treating at Rosemont on 10/31.

🎧 Listen on most streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple, iHeart, and Amazon.

DOWNTOWN | View of Laurel's bustling Market Street, looking west across the intersection with Central Avenue. Mid- to la...
09/18/2026

DOWNTOWN | View of Laurel's bustling Market Street, looking west across the intersection with Central Avenue. Mid- to late 1960s?

📷: Thanks to our friends in the Delmar Historical and Arts Society for passing this photo along.

Address

502 E 4th Street, PO Box 102
Laurel, DE
19956

Telephone

(302) 875-1344

Website

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