Attention Visitors
The Interpretive Center is Temporarily Closed for Repairs
Port Penn Interpretive Center
The Port Penn Interpretive Center is located in the village of Port Penn, about four miles south of Delaware City. The Center offers displays and programs which explain the folklife of the historic wetland communities along the shores of the Delaware. Programs and self-guided walking tours featuring the historic homes of Port Penn and the scenic marshlands surrounding the town are available.
Upcoming Events
Kids Craft Club: Net-Making
Thursday, June 15, 2023
3:00 PM
Port Penn fishermen relied on their nets! Many fishermen wove their own nets, and fixed them on their own, too. In this program, we'll learn how to make a simple net, while also talking about the local Port Penn fishermen. This program is free, but please register in advance by emailing Jake at Jacob.miller@delaware.gov or by calling our office at 302-834-7941. This program will be held at the Fort Delaware State Park office at 2540 Colter Road, Delaware City, DE 19706. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
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6/15/2023 3:00:00 PM
6/15/2023 4:30:00 PM
America/New_York
Kids Craft Club: Net-Making
Port Penn fishermen relied on their nets! Many fishermen wove their own nets, and fixed them on their own, too. In this program, we'll learn how to make a simple net, while also talking about the local Port Penn fishermen. This program is free, but please register in advance by emailing Jake at Jacob.miller@delaware.gov or by calling our office at 302-834-7941. This program will be held at the Fort Delaware State Park office at 2540 Colter Road, Delaware City, DE 19706. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Port Penn
Historic Town Tour
Saturday, July 1, 2023
10:00 AM
Port Penn has a very unique and interesting history. In this program, we'll talk about the development of the town from the 1760s through the present. Along the way, we'll see a number of the historic buildings that showcase the town’s story. All tours start at the Interpretive Center. They're free, but participants are encouraged to register in advance by calling our office at 302-834-7941. NOTE: There are no bathrooms available for this program.
Add to Calendar
7/1/2023 10:00:00 AM
7/1/2023 11:00:00 AM
America/New_York
Historic Town Tour
Port Penn has a very unique and interesting history. In this program, we'll talk about the development of the town from the 1760s through the present. Along the way, we'll see a number of the historic buildings that showcase the town’s story. All tours start at the Interpretive Center. They're free, but participants are encouraged to register in advance by calling our office at 302-834-7941. NOTE: There are no bathrooms available for this program.
Port Penn
Intro to Port Penn Virtual Program
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
6:30 PM
In the 1760s, Port Penn’s founders hoped it would become a seaport to rival Philadelphia. Though it never quite lived up to those aspirations, Port Penn is a remarkable community that managed to be both international and uniquely Delawarean. This program will be held virtually on Zoom. It is free, but pre-registration is required. You may register by emailing Jake at Jacob.miller@delaware.gov. For any questions, call our office at 302-834-7941.
Add to Calendar
7/11/2023 6:30:00 PM
7/11/2023 7:30:00 PM
America/New_York
Intro to Port Penn Virtual Program
In the 1760s, Port Penn’s founders hoped it would become a seaport to rival Philadelphia. Though it never quite lived up to those aspirations, Port Penn is a remarkable community that managed to be both international and uniquely Delawarean. This program will be held virtually on Zoom. It is free, but pre-registration is required. You may register by emailing Jake at Jacob.miller@delaware.gov. For any questions, call our office at 302-834-7941.
Port Penn
Kids Craft Club: Flower Pot Crab
Thursday, August 10, 2023
3:00 PM
Crabbing has long been an important part of Port Penn’s economy, and many locals still spend time on the river catching crabs. In this program, we'll learn how to make a crab out of a flower pot, while also talking about how crabbers work in Port Penn. This program is free, but please register in advance by emailing Jake at Jacob.miller@delaware.gov or by calling our office at 302-834-7941. This program will be held at the Fort Delaware State Park office at 2540 Colter Road, Delaware City, DE 19706. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Add to Calendar
8/10/2023 3:00:00 PM
8/10/2023 4:00:00 PM
America/New_York
Kids Craft Club: Flower Pot Crab
Crabbing has long been an important part of Port Penn’s economy, and many locals still spend time on the river catching crabs. In this program, we'll learn how to make a crab out of a flower pot, while also talking about how crabbers work in Port Penn. This program is free, but please register in advance by emailing Jake at Jacob.miller@delaware.gov or by calling our office at 302-834-7941. This program will be held at the Fort Delaware State Park office at 2540 Colter Road, Delaware City, DE 19706. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Port Penn
Historic Town Tour
Saturday, August 26, 2023
10:00 AM
Port Penn has a very unique and interesting history. In this program, we'll talk about the development of the town from the 1760s through the present. Along the way, we'll see a number of the historic buildings that showcase the town’s story. All tours start at the Interpretive Center. They're free, but participants are encouraged to register in advance by calling our office at 302-834-7941. NOTE: There are no bathrooms available for this program.
Add to Calendar
8/26/2023 10:00:00 AM
8/26/2023 11:00:00 AM
America/New_York
Historic Town Tour
Port Penn has a very unique and interesting history. In this program, we'll talk about the development of the town from the 1760s through the present. Along the way, we'll see a number of the historic buildings that showcase the town’s story. All tours start at the Interpretive Center. They're free, but participants are encouraged to register in advance by calling our office at 302-834-7941. NOTE: There are no bathrooms available for this program.
Port Penn
Wetland Trail Walk
Saturday, September 23, 2023
10:00 AM
Many residents of Port Penn supplemented their income throughout the year with hunting, trapping and fishing — all of which made use of the proximity of the wetland. For this program we'll enjoy the wetland trail, talk about the wetland and its importance to Port Penn, and keep an eye out for the incredible wildlife that makes Delaware so special. We'll also talk about the elements of the seasonal economy that was so important to the residents of Port Penn throughout much of its history. All tours start at the Interpretive Center. They're free, but participants are encouraged to register in advance by calling our office at 302-834-7941. NOTE: There are no bathrooms available for this program.
Add to Calendar
9/23/2023 10:00:00 AM
9/23/2023 11:00:00 AM
America/New_York
Wetland Trail Walk
Many residents of Port Penn supplemented their income throughout the year with hunting, trapping and fishing — all of which made use of the proximity of the wetland. For this program we'll enjoy the wetland trail, talk about the wetland and its importance to Port Penn, and keep an eye out for the incredible wildlife that makes Delaware so special. We'll also talk about the elements of the seasonal economy that was so important to the residents of Port Penn throughout much of its history. All tours start at the Interpretive Center. They're free, but participants are encouraged to register in advance by calling our office at 302-834-7941. NOTE: There are no bathrooms available for this program.
Port Penn
