Wilmington, DE (May 14, 2024) – For families looking for a fun way to celebrate the unofficial start of summer (aka Memorial Day weekend), Hagley Museum is offering a community event to kick-start summer fun with a preview of all the engaging programs Hagley offers throughout the season. Visitors can leave the stress of beach traffic behind and start the extended holiday weekend at Hagley’s Summer Kick-off Celebration on Saturday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Summer Kick-off Celebration includes a full slate of history and science programs, behind-the-scenes tours, cannon firings, community partners and more. There will be something for everyone with special programs and hands-on activities that will “inspire all people to be innovative in their own lives.” Get a taste of all that Hagley has to offer all summer long with this preview day with special discounts and programs to make it an affordable day of family fun.
“It’s incredibly important to Hagley that all our friends and neighbors are able join in on the fun, discovery and learning offered at the Summer Kick-off Celebration,” says director of museum and audience engagement Mike Adams. For the event, Hagley is extending free admission to its members, children fourteen and younger and veterans and active military families. Museums for All and ACCESS programs also reduce financial barriers to visiting. They offer $2 admission for up to four people (with an EBT/SNAP valid card). For all others, the Summer Kick-off Celebration is included with regular museum admission ($20 for adults, $16 for students and seniors).
Hagley recently joined the Blue Star Museum initiative, a program that provides free admission this summer to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families. Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and participating museums across America. Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, encourages military families to take advantage of the Blue Star Museum program. “Whether you are traveling this summer, getting to know a new duty location or exploring what your community has to offer, Blue Star Museums is a wonderful opportunity to create connection and find inspiration.”
Hagley’s unique landscape, including a variety of outdoor interactive spaces across more than 200 acres, was recently recognized as one of the Best Open Air Museums according to USA TODAY’s 10Best Contest. Open air museums “offer visitors the opportunity to see how people live, worked and played in different times featuring historic buildings, artifacts and activities that help recreate the past.” During the Summer Kick-off Celebration, visitors can walk back in time while enjoying scenic views of the Brandywine. Food trucks will be available with delicious options for a picnic lunch.
Visitors should enter the Summer Kick-off Celebration through Hagley Museum’s main entrance at 200 Hagley Creek Road, Wilmington, DE 19807 off Delaware Route 141. Ample free parking is available. Tickets may be purchased at the door. This is a rain or shine event. Additional details may be found at hagley.org/kickoff.