Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation

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Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation

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QHHPF is dedicated to the preservation and sharing of Quaker Hill history. Quaker Hill was first settled in 1738 by William Shipley.

In 1739, the Shipleys and other Quakers attracted to the area built the first Wilmington Friends Meeting House. By 1748, a new one had to be constructed to accommodate the increased population; the original meeting house became the first Friends School. A third meeting house was built in 1816 and remains today as a place of worship and an active community center. This meetinghouse and several of the homes in the area were key locations in the Underground Railroad operated by Harriett Tubman, Thomas Garrett and others. The 19th century saw much change in the small community, including the settlement of many people of many faiths and backgrounds. In 1816, Roman Catholics founded St. Peter's Church , now the cathedral church of Wilmington. As Wilmington became an industrial city, factories grew up along the Christina River, and workers and owners alike chose to live nearby in Quaker Hill. As the Hill boomed, many of the 18th-century structures were replaced. The streetscapes were among the most varied in the City, with both traditional brick rowhouses and neo-Gothic detached homes. Today, the neighborhood still retains a diverse architectural character, in part due to the 1978 designation of Quaker Hill as a National Register Historic District. Recent renovation and restoration of remaining structures, coupled with the construction of new housing, give definite signs of a revitalization of Quaker Hill. Interested in joining the preservation efforts of this neighborhood? Contact us at the Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation (www.quakerhillhistoric.org) or let us know via this page!

10/02/2026

Perhaps the greatest series of humanitarian events in the history of our country occurred right here in Wilmington, Delaware. Thomas Garrett, in collaboration with Harriet Tubman, conducted hundreds of enslaved human beings to freedom through his home in Quaker Hill.

Unfortunately, his home was demolished in the early part of the Twentieth Century. The site where his home once stood is now part of Delaware Technical Community College.

For many months, we have been working with DTCC to appropriately honor Garrett with installation of a descriptive wayside panel at Fourth and Shipley Streets, bronze plaque on the building now occupying the actual homesite, and naming the 200 and 300 blocks of Shipley Street as Garrett Way.

This will all come to fruition on November 6, 2026 at 12:00 noon with a luncheon at DTCC followed by the unveilings. Details are on the invitation. We hope you will be able to attend to help us honor our great humanitarian hero.

08/26/2026

This looks like a brilliant program!

Join the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (MDVMF) to celebrate the life and legacy and Brigadier General Harriet Tubman.

On Saturday, August 29 at 12pm, MDVMF will host an inspiring afternoon at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in Church Creek, MD.

The event will include a ranger-led tour, a screening of Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom, and a discussion reflecting on her courage, faith, and unwavering commitment to liberty and justice for all.

Hear from descendants of Harriet Tubman and Ms. Adrian Lewis, organizer of Harriet Tubman Weekend (September 26-27 on the Eastern Shore).

📍 4068 Golden Hill Rd, Church Creek, MD 21622
🕚 Ranger-led tour: 11 a.m. (starts at Visitor Center)
🚪 Screening Room opens: 11:30 a.m.
🎬 Screening & Discussion: 12–2:30 p.m.

To register for the August 29 screening, visit: https://bit.ly/4c82gjG

Bonus: arrive early and enjoy a ranger-led tour!

08/17/2026

Last call! A great event for kids.

08/12/2026

A great event for kids!

05/18/2026

This weekend, Mother Africa Church (home church of Peter Spencer) was destroyed in an overnight fire. This church is one of the key pieces of Wilmington history and we must come together as a community to help them recover and rebuild. The church as set up this GoFundMe below. Donate if you can.

Support The Historic Mother African Union Church After Devastati… Finance Committee needs your support for Support Motherland Nation After Devastating Fire

05/15/2026

This is amazing -- the first known film of Wilmington.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1KXPVMA2JE/

05/11/2026

Members of the Garrett family, keeping the memory of our great hero Thomas Garrett alive!

05/07/2026

Will be a great event!

04/30/2026

Look forward to seeing you there!

DELAWARE SNAPSHOT 📸
Honoring Thomas Garrett
The nonprofit Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation has invited the public to an afternoon tea commemorating Wilmington humanitarian/Underground Railroad Stationmaster Thomas Garrett. The tea – free with donations appreciated – is at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 9, at Delaware History Museum, 504 North Market Street, with presentations about Garrett and his friend Harriet Tubman, and display of a priceless silver tea service presented to Garrett in 1866 by the Wilmington community he fought to help. There will be activities for children age 6 and older, welcome with adults. To attend, RSVP to (302) 655-2500 by May 5.
– Compiled by robin brown, Writer in Residence
Delaware Public Archives
Small Manuscript Collections
robin brown Collection
Stamp: 2024
ID: 9200-B35

04/19/2026

Address

521 N West Street
Wilmington, DE
19801

Telephone

+13026552500

Website

http://www.quakerhillhistoric.org/

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