One of the major du Pont family historic sites in the area, the Hagley Museum and Library (200 Hagley Rd., 302/658-2400, www.hagley.org, $11 adult, $9 student and senior, $4 child 6–14) was founded by E. I. du Pont in 1802. The 235-acre estate along the Brandywine River was home to a gunpowder mill and the community of workers that operated it.

The family home of the du Ponts is perched high on a hill overlooking the village and mill. A bus runs continually through the picturesque estate, allowing you to stop and explore the home and mills, with tour guides posted throughout to explain the sites. There is also a three-story museum attached to the visitors center where you can watch a short movie about the du Pont family company’s many inventions, from gunpowder to pantyhose to countertops.

The sprawling grounds are open daily 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. A bus makes a continuous loop through the park throughout the day, with the last bus departing for a tour of the du Pont residence at 3:30 p.m. The only exception is on winter weekdays (Jan.–mid-Mar.), when the park is only open for one guided tour at 1:30 p.m.