Membership

Hagley encourages our members to take advantage of your free museum admission by walking on Hagley’s gorgeous property 363 days of the year!  (We’re closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day). The Historic Home and Garden area, known as Eleutherian Mills, has a one-mile walking loop. From there, it’s a 1.5-mile loop along the banks of the Brandywine from Eleutherian Mills to the Steam Engine at the entrance to the historic DuPont powder yards and back. Along the way, signage highlights historic moments in Hagley’s 200+ year history.  (The rest of the property will open to walking sometime in Spring 2022.)  For your safety and ours, check in with our Visitor Service Assistants at our ticketing location so that we know we have guests out and about the property. Park benches and picnic tables are available throughout the property for taking a rest break and enjoying the views.  You can also enjoy tours of the historic du Pont family home and gardens, demonstrations of 19^th Century machinery, and more during your visit.  We will continue to keep our members up to date on new and expanded walking opportunities through our weekly member communications.  Another great reason to share your email with the membership office!   

Hagley's annual fireworks show has been called "The Best Fireworks In Delaware." This members-only event is held each year, two Fridays in mid-June. It is a spectacular evening of family fun for a reasonable price. Members can bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at Hagley to enjoy before the display of spectacular pyrotechnics.

Buck Road gates open at 5 p.m., the show begins at approximately 9:20 p.m.

Fireworks is weather-dependent event, with postponement the following Saturdays and Sundays.

Attendance is by reservation only, with ticket sales limited to Hagley Members. Requests will be filled in order of receipt. All active members, as of April 1, receive a Fireworks invitation in the mail in mid-April. Approximately 3 business days after receiving a paper invitation, members with active email addresses will receive an email invitation with a link to purchase tickets online.

Getting the Most out of Fireworks
•    What to wear?  Think corporate casual; however, blue jeans, khakis, shorts, and t-shirts are acceptable.
•    A raffle and silent auction of fun prizes is held on both fireworks evenings.  Remember to bring address labels.  They make filling out your raffle tickets fast and easy.  Hagley offers pre=printed raffle tickets that can be ordered with your event tickets.
•    There are several dining options.  You may bring your own picnic, enjoy the food court with a variety of vendors, or pre-order a picnic that will be waiting for you when you arrive.  Visit Hagley.org/fireworks for details.
•    For the safety of all guests, no flames, grills, tents, torches, pets, sparklers, open flames, drones, or fireworks are permitted.   Feel free to bring blankets, chairs, and coolers.  Consider bringing a flashlight to light your way when you leave the field.
•    The Hagley Store will offer a variety of fun, glow-in-the dark items.
•    Kid Central is open from 6 to 7:30 p.m. with bounce-arounds and kids’ activities.
•    Smoking is not permitted in the viewing field.  The smoking area is near the greenhouse.
•    Please remember to leave your family pets at home.  This is not a pet-friendly event.

Bad Weather Plans
If the event is moved to a bad weather date, tickets are not refundable. Please be aware of our alternative dates and make your plans accordingly.

Hagley must decide early in the day to go forward or postpone fireworks. The weather forecast for the entire weekend is taken into account.  Once the decision is made, fireworks is a rain or shine event, but may be canceled during heavy rain, high winds, or thunderstorms at show time.  

Check Hagley's home page on Friday mornings of the event for updates and postponement announcements. If the show is canceled, half of your order will be refunded upon request.  Refund requests must be made within two weeks after the show.  Tickets are not refundable if you cannot attend the bad weather dates or if heavy rain occurs during the event, not at show time.

Special Parking Needs
The special parking area adjacent to the fireworks field is reserved for use primarily by those who have special parking needs.  Capacity is limited and filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.  

Guests with limited mobility or with considerable items may unload in the designated area inside the main parking field.  

One of the benefits of Hagley membership I the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Travel Passport Program. This benefit is offer to members at the Household level or higher. The ASTC Travel Passport Program gives members free general admission to science centers and museums outside their local area. Enjoy free or discounted admission to more than 350 science centers and museums in 20 countries around the world.

Click here a complete list of participating museums.

Please note that science centers and museums located within 90 miles of the science center/museum where you purchased your membership can choose not to offer reciprocity. In addition, science centers and museums located within 90 miles of your residence can also opt out of offering reciprocity. Before you travel, make sure your contact the science center/museum you are visiting to ensure you are not excluded from this program. Review their family admittance policy, pack your ID or other proof of residence, and remember your Hagley membership card.

Hagley members who join at the Household level or above have the opportunity to rent Hagley facilities.

Click here to learn more.