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 t
he 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!
