Picture of Blue Ball Barn

Blue Ball Barn


Blue Ball Barn

This extraordinary barn, progressive in its environmental design, is the home of the Delaware Folk Art Collection. Visit the permanent and rotating art exhibits, or tour our displays highlighting the history of the barn and surrounding landscape. Renovations have created a multifunctional conference, special event and gallery space featuring meeting rooms, a large banquet room and a secluded courtyard.

Virtual Tour


Upcoming Events

Greenwillow: Tannahill Weavers

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

7:00 PM

Born of a session in Paisley, Scotland, and named for the town's historic weaving industry and local poet laureate Robert Tannahill, the Tannahill Weavers have made an international name for their special brand of Celtic music, blending the beauty of traditional melodies with the power of modern rhythms. As one of the world's premier traditional Celtic bands, their diverse repertoire spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, original ballads and lullabies, and humorous tales of life in Scotland. Payment at door by cash, check or credit card Reservations accepted by phone at (610) 566-4932 or email at reservations@greenwillow.org

Add to Calendar 9/18/2024 7:00:00 PM 9/18/2024 10:00:00 PM America/New_York Greenwillow: Tannahill Weavers Born of a session in Paisley, Scotland, and named for the town's historic weaving industry and local poet laureate Robert Tannahill, the Tannahill Weavers have made an international name for their special brand of Celtic music, blending the beauty of traditional melodies with the power of modern rhythms. As one of the world's premier traditional Celtic bands, their diverse repertoire spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, original ballads and lullabies, and humorous tales of life in Scotland. Payment at door by cash, check or credit card Reservations accepted by phone at (610) 566-4932 or email at reservations@greenwillow.org Alapocas Run

Introduction to Rock Climbing

Saturday, September 21, 2024

9:30 AM

Discover the basics of outdoor top rope climbing. Get harnessed up and climb on our natural rock wall, after a brief introduction of equipment, climbing and safety. Helmets, harness and ropes provided. Park staff will instruct, guide and belay all climbers. Ages 8 and up. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Pre-registration with full payment required by noon Friday, the day before the program date. Register online; call 302-577-7020 with any questions. $30 per person

Register Online

Add to Calendar 9/21/2024 9:30:00 AM 9/21/2024 11:30:00 AM America/New_York Introduction to Rock Climbing Discover the basics of outdoor top rope climbing. Get harnessed up and climb on our natural rock wall, after a brief introduction of equipment, climbing and safety. Helmets, harness and ropes provided. Park staff will instruct, guide and belay all climbers. Ages 8 and up. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Pre-registration with full payment required by noon Friday, the day before the program date. Register online; call 302-577-7020 with any questions. $30 per person Alapocas Run

Art in Action: Watercolor and Collage

Saturday, September 21, 2024

1:00 PM

Bring your love of nature and color to this workshop exploring mixed media methods combining traditional watercolor paints, calligraphy inks, and collage with artist Stephanie Przybylek. Learn how to work with these materials to create bold, expressive artworks and create your own designs on paper to turn into collage elements. All materials included and no experience necessary. Just arrive with your enthusiasm and willingness to experiment! No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less that 48 hour before class time. Register online

Register Online

Add to Calendar 9/21/2024 1:00:00 PM 9/21/2024 3:00:00 PM America/New_York Art in Action: Watercolor and Collage Bring your love of nature and color to this workshop exploring mixed media methods combining traditional watercolor paints, calligraphy inks, and collage with artist Stephanie Przybylek. Learn how to work with these materials to create bold, expressive artworks and create your own designs on paper to turn into collage elements. All materials included and no experience necessary. Just arrive with your enthusiasm and willingness to experiment! No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less that 48 hour before class time. Register online Alapocas Run

Introduction to Rock Climbing

Saturday, October 5, 2024

9:30 AM

Discover the basics of outdoor top rope climbing. Get harnessed up and climb on our natural rock wall, after a brief introduction of equipment, climbing and safety. Helmets, harness and ropes provided. Park staff will instruct, guide and belay all climbers. Ages 8 and up. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Pre-registration with full payment required by noon Friday, the day before the program date. Register online; call 302-577-7020 with any questions. $30 per person

Register Online

Add to Calendar 10/5/2024 9:30:00 AM 10/5/2024 11:30:00 AM America/New_York Introduction to Rock Climbing Discover the basics of outdoor top rope climbing. Get harnessed up and climb on our natural rock wall, after a brief introduction of equipment, climbing and safety. Helmets, harness and ropes provided. Park staff will instruct, guide and belay all climbers. Ages 8 and up. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Pre-registration with full payment required by noon Friday, the day before the program date. Register online; call 302-577-7020 with any questions. $30 per person Alapocas Run

Connecting with Nature Hike

Saturday, October 12, 2024

10:00 AM

Join us on a hike through Alapocas Woods to explore texture and how important it is in both nature and art. We'll be starting our hike at the Blue Ball Barn's Folk Art Gallery and then head out into the forest to make some observations and complete a simple art project. You will see how using natural textures, colors and patterns in art can connect people to each other and nature. Call the park office for more information or to register 302.577.7020. FREE

Add to Calendar 10/12/2024 10:00:00 AM 10/12/2024 12:00:00 PM America/New_York Connecting with Nature Hike Join us on a hike through Alapocas Woods to explore texture and how important it is in both nature and art. We'll be starting our hike at the Blue Ball Barn's Folk Art Gallery and then head out into the forest to make some observations and complete a simple art project. You will see how using natural textures, colors and patterns in art can connect people to each other and nature. Call the park office for more information or to register 302.577.7020. FREE Alapocas Run

Act in Action : Spoon Carving

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

6:00 PM

Carve a serving spoon from a basswood blank with just two knives. Participants will learn to read grain direction and work from flat to rounded shapes. Spoon carving doesn’t require benches, vises, or expensive equipment to get started. Knives, blanks, and gloves will be provided. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less that 48 hour before class time. Register online.

Register Online

Add to Calendar 10/16/2024 6:00:00 PM 10/16/2024 8:00:00 PM America/New_York Act in Action : Spoon Carving Carve a serving spoon from a basswood blank with just two knives. Participants will learn to read grain direction and work from flat to rounded shapes. Spoon carving doesn’t require benches, vises, or expensive equipment to get started. Knives, blanks, and gloves will be provided. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less that 48 hour before class time. Register online. Alapocas Run

Twilight Hike

Friday, October 18, 2024

6:30 PM

Join us for this family friendly hike as we tread carefully into the twilight. Discover how animals use their senses at night in Alapocas Woods. Pre-registration by noon, October 17 at 302.577.7020 FREE

Add to Calendar 10/18/2024 6:30:00 PM 10/18/2024 8:00:00 PM America/New_York Twilight Hike Join us for this family friendly hike as we tread carefully into the twilight. Discover how animals use their senses at night in Alapocas Woods. Pre-registration by noon, October 17 at 302.577.7020 FREE Alapocas Run

Introduction to Rock Climbing

Saturday, October 19, 2024

9:30 AM

Discover the basics of outdoor top rope climbing. Get harnessed up and climb on our natural rock wall, after a brief introduction of equipment, climbing and safety. Helmets, harness and ropes provided. Park staff will instruct, guide and belay all climbers. Ages 8 and up. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Pre-registration with full payment required by noon Friday, the day before the program date. Register online; call 302-577-7020 with any questions. $30 per person

Register Online

Add to Calendar 10/19/2024 9:30:00 AM 10/19/2024 11:30:00 AM America/New_York Introduction to Rock Climbing Discover the basics of outdoor top rope climbing. Get harnessed up and climb on our natural rock wall, after a brief introduction of equipment, climbing and safety. Helmets, harness and ropes provided. Park staff will instruct, guide and belay all climbers. Ages 8 and up. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Pre-registration with full payment required by noon Friday, the day before the program date. Register online; call 302-577-7020 with any questions. $30 per person Alapocas Run

Basket Weaving

Sunday, October 27, 2024

9:00 AM

An egg basket is a rib basket credited to the pioneers in the southern Appalachian mountains of the Untied States. Rib baskets have a completely different construction that the splint baskets and students will learn the basic construction concept of the basket and will design their own shape. The baskets can be made all natural or with colors. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less that 48 hour before class time. Register online.

Register Online

Add to Calendar 10/27/2024 9:00:00 AM 10/27/2024 3:00:00 PM America/New_York Basket Weaving An egg basket is a rib basket credited to the pioneers in the southern Appalachian mountains of the Untied States. Rib baskets have a completely different construction that the splint baskets and students will learn the basic construction concept of the basket and will design their own shape. The baskets can be made all natural or with colors. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less that 48 hour before class time. Register online. Alapocas Run

Art in Action: Scoraform

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

5:30 PM

From accident to art, join Alapocas Run and Auburn Valley State Parks to learn how a Victorian invention called Vulcanized Fibre revolutionized modern American life from steam trunks to fuses, and its connection to the First State with 70% of the world’s supply made right here in Delaware. With recovered archival footage you’ll learn how a Canadian artist in the 20th century used the material to create sculptures in her own unique style: Scoraform. Afterwards, artist Kelly Martin will be teaching a workshop on making three-dimensional vase covers out of paper in an homage to this forgotten method of using paper products in art. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less that 48 hour before class time. Register online.

Register Online

Add to Calendar 11/12/2024 5:30:00 PM 11/12/2024 8:00:00 PM America/New_York Art in Action: Scoraform From accident to art, join Alapocas Run and Auburn Valley State Parks to learn how a Victorian invention called Vulcanized Fibre revolutionized modern American life from steam trunks to fuses, and its connection to the First State with 70% of the world’s supply made right here in Delaware. With recovered archival footage you’ll learn how a Canadian artist in the 20th century used the material to create sculptures in her own unique style: Scoraform. Afterwards, artist Kelly Martin will be teaching a workshop on making three-dimensional vase covers out of paper in an homage to this forgotten method of using paper products in art. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less that 48 hour before class time. Register online. Alapocas Run

Art in Action: Holiday Card Crafting

Thursday, December 5, 2024

6:00 PM

Join artist Linda Majewski for a card making workshop using layers of paper to create beautiful, dimensional designs. The cards are perfect to send cheer to a friend or to keep for yourself. All supplies provided.

Register Online

Add to Calendar 12/5/2024 6:00:00 PM 12/5/2024 8:00:00 PM America/New_York Art in Action: Holiday Card Crafting Join artist Linda Majewski for a card making workshop using layers of paper to create beautiful, dimensional designs. The cards are perfect to send cheer to a friend or to keep for yourself. All supplies provided. Alapocas Run