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MUSEUMS & HISTORIC SITES 7
Victorian Houses of Middletown North and South Broad St and Cass St, Middletown
Due to its rapid growth in the second half of the 19th-century as a railroad town and market center, Middletown has perhaps the best collection of Victorian architecture in Delaware. Large, distinctive Victorian houses are found along North and South Broad Streets and on Cass Street, three blocks west of North Broad Street.
Old Middletown Academy
302-378-7466
216 N Broad St, Middletown
The private school opened its doors in October of 1826 and was used as a private academy until 1876 when it became part of the public school system. In 1840 the school had 33 pupils.
It is now owned by the Middletown Historical Society and is shared with the Middletown Chamber of Commerce.
Historic Everett Theatre 302-232-6338
www.everetttheatre.com
47 W Main St, Middletown
Middletown’s first stage opened in 1863 as
the Hall and Opera House and flourished as
a cultural center until it was destroyed in a spectacular fire in 1918. It wasn’t long before another structure was erected on the site, but it too went the way of its predecessor, burning to the ground in 1921. Determined that history would not repeat itself a third time, a concrete and plaster structure was built. For decades, the Everett flourished as a movie house, but slowly, drive-ins, malls, and television took their toll and the Everett shut its doors in 1979. In 1983, a group of citizens purchased the property and began renovation and fund- raising. Today it is home to special art programs for children, the Delaware Theatre Association’s annual play festival, movies, concerts, recitals, and lectures.
Taylor’s Bridge School
302-378-7466
East side of Rt 9, Taylor’s Bridge
On October 27, 1923 the State of Delaware purchased three acres on this site to build
a new brick one-room school. Construction began shortly thereafter. In 1949 the school was closed and the district was consolidated with the Smyrna School District. On April 21, 1950 the Taylor’s Bridge Community Center, Inc. purchased the property for one dollar and transformed the structure into a community center.
Reedy Island Rear Range Light
302-378-7466
Taylor’s Bridge
The original Reedy Island light, built in 1839, was a 44 ft. brick tower and two-story keeper’s house. The structure was destroyed by fire in 2002. The Reedy Range Rear Light, a simple black, cast iron tower that stands 110 ft. tall and helps guide ships up the Delaware Bay to the Delaware River, replaced it.
Noxontown Mill
302-378-7466
South of Middletown off DE 896, Middletown
Constructed by Thomas Noxon in 1740, this water-powered mill handled locally harvested grain. The nearby Appoquinimink River afforded cheap transportation and access
to a larger marketplace. The mill flourished and around it a village sprang up, which bore Noxon’s name.
Noxontown boasted a hotel, malt house,
brew house, and bake house and was especially noted for its annual fair. At this event, Delawareans gathered to buy and sell livestock, to purchase locally produced goods, and to sample imported goods from England.
2019
Everett Theatre
Noxontown Mill
Douglas A. Norton
Taylor’s Bridge School
Joe Fitzpatrick
Seth Gaines
MUSEUMS & HISTORIC SITES