Read House and Garden

The Read House is a Federal-period mansion in New Castle located on the Delaware riverfront. The building features four chimneys, a truncated roof with balustrade, and encompasses formal gardens across the waterfront property.

George Read Jr., son of a Declaration of Independence signer, commissioned this house in 1793, making it the largest residence in Delaware at that time. The property remained a family home through generations and became an important landmark in the region.

The Delaware Historical Society operates this residence as a museum displaying furniture and decorative objects from the Federal period. Visitors can observe how wealthy families lived and the items they kept throughout their homes.

The house is accessible through guided tours that begin at The Strand and provide views of the interior and gardens. Visitors should know that the rooms display period furnishings and objects that document how residents lived during that era.

The gardens contain original brick walkways from the 19th century that show the layout and design choices of the property's former owners. Two reconstructed gazebos were built based on historical photographs, providing insight into the original garden design.