The powder wagon on the second floor of the Hagley barn has been out of use for quite a while now—and at close to 150 years old, we think it's fair to say it's earned its rest. But although it's no longer being used for its original purpose, the wagon remains a lasting monument to the history of American business.
For E.I. du Pont, the process of making gunpowder was only part of the battle. Once du Pont had manufactured and sold his wares, he was faced with the (literally) volatile problem of how to transport kegs of gunpowder to customers and distributors.
Of course, that was often easier said than done. As E.I. du Pont would have quickly learned, distributing gunpowder had the potential to be a logistical nightmare at times. The dangerous nature of the products in question meant that many merchants and shippers were understandably hesitant to handle and store it. On top of that, du Pont had to contend with regulations and rules that many cities enacted around the transportation of gunpowder.
Enter the powder wagons: boxy, covered wagons painted red and black, with "Du Pont Explosives" emblazoned on the side. In the 19th century, an entire fleet of these wagons would have served as the du Pont business's circulation, delivering gunpowder directly to customers and merchants or to shipyards and railroads for shipping to further-off destinations. The timing of these wagon teams was crucial. Given the difficulty in finding storage facilities, powder wagons were effectively required to meet ships and trains at the exact moment that they were being loaded—no easy feat, considering all the variables that could potentially wreak havoc on a wagon and teamsters.
It's a testament to the du Pont family's business acumen and the robustness of the company as a whole that these challenges, while certainly inconvenient, didn't detract in any substantial way from the success of the company.
Today, the surviving powder wagon in the Hagley barn serves as an important piece of industrial and cultural heritage, another artifact that helps us to better understand what life was like in 19th century America. In spite of its age, it looks good as new, thanks to the careful ministrations of Hagley preservationists—but we suspect it still has stories to tell. Next time you're in the barn, close your eyes and see if you can detect the creak of wood and leather, the clop of hooves…and of course, the sharp smell of gunpowder.
The mission of Hagley Museum and Library is to foster innovation and inspiration through our historical collections. Located on the site of E.I. du Pont's gunpowder works, Hagley's offerings include a library dedicated to the study of American business and technology, a unique patent model collection, and the restored historical mill and workers' community, as well as the home and gardens of the du Pont family. Hagley also hosts a variety of events intended to educate and engage the wider community. Plan your visit today, or consider donating to support our work!