A visit to Rockwood is a trip back to Victorian-era America, with its unique Rural Gothic architecture, six acres of elegant gardens and collection of English, Continental and American decorative arts from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

Constructed between 1851 and 1857 for the merchant Joseph Shipley, a member of one of Wilmington's leading families, the museum property today includes the stately manor house, a porter's lodge, stable, carriage house and gardener's cottage picturesquely situated on 70 of the estate's original 211 acres.

Programming and special events focus on the daily life of the Shipley and related Bringhurst families and their mostly Irish servants, with costumed volunteers often playing the parts of the various members of the household.

Two highlights of Rockwood's programming are its Victorian Ice Cream Festival, held on the second weekend of July each year, and its annual Christmas Candlelight tours in December.

Visit www.rockwood.org for more information.