2 posts tagged “delaware”

Brandywine Zoo

Looking for something to do this summer near South Jersey in your New Nissan Car? Come on down to the Zoo in Brandywine Park, located in Wilmington over the Van Buren Street Bridge on the north bank of the Brandywine River. There are around 150 animals on nearly 13 acres, just waiting for your visit.

In addition to animals from tigers to snakes, the Brandywine Zoo offers a snack bar and a gift shop. The snack bar, located on the grounds of the zoo, offers a diverse selection, including soft pretzels, popcorn, ice cream, hot dogs, soda, juice and much more. The gift shop, known as the "Zootique" is open every day from 10 am to 4 PM. The Zootique has many different animal-related items and unique toys.

A member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, the Brandywine Zoo is one of 214 accredited aquariums and zoos in North America. This membership demonstrates the Brandywine Zoo’s commitment to animal care, excellence in visitor experience and a better future for every living thing.

Managed by the Division of Parks and Recreation, the Brandywine Zoo also enjoys the support of the Deleware Zoological Society.

The Brandywine Zoo began as an idea of Dr. James H. Morgan, in 1904. Morgan donated a variety of animals to the zoo, and the Board of Park Commissioners agreed to install shelters and fences in the park to house the animals. The original collection included Belgain hares, a sea gull, a sea turtle, geese, and ducks.

Over the years, Brandywine Zoo has seen many different animals. In the 1920s, the zoo was home to eleven elk, five moneys, several goats, two eagles, two black bear, three buffalo, two raccoons, three alligators, and a single groundhog.

Struggling for some time during the middle years of the 20th century, the zoo fell into disrepair. A children’s zoo was built during that time, and by the 1970s the old zoo had closed and the children’s zoo had taken over the role of the main zoo.

In the 1980s, the zoo attained new accreditation and put a new master plan into action. This has led to the success and stability that Brandywine Zoo has enjoyed since that time.

OldSwedes

While you're traveling this summer in your Fuel-Efficient Nissan Car with the family, why not make a stop at 606 Church Street in Wilmington. Here you'll find Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church. This church is a national historic landmark, and has been in service since 1689. Old Swedes Church is the oldest church building still standing in the nation, as it was originally built.

Old Swedes Church was originally founded as a Swedish Lutheran church. It was brought under the jurisdiction of the Protestant Episcopal church after the American Revolution, in 1791. Old Swedes Church was used by a number of immigrant communities, including:

• The Dutch from the New Amstel (now New Castle) Delaware area
• The Swedes from Fort Christina and the New Sweden Colony
• The English in New Castle county of the Pennsylvania colony, and
• Americans from many national origins all over the state of Delaware.
  

The interior of Old Swedes Church features a number of interesting artifacts, including:

• The black walnut pulpit, which is the oldest known pulpit in the United States.
• The pews, which were rebuilt in 1899 as reproductions of the very earliest pews in Old Swedes Church. They were built from descriptions contained in early records of the church. 
• The chandelier is an 18th-century candelabrum made of brass, and was originally installed in an abbey church in Ireleand. It was installed at Old Swedes in the 1960s. 
• The church chest, used to store important documents, cash and valuables, was built in 1713. The chest requires two different keys to open. The original key to the church is on display in a framed box.
• The Pipe organ, which has 16 stops and 16 ranks of pipes, has a total of 913 pipes.
• There are graves under the church walls, including several early pastors and several children.
  

The church cemetery is still in use today, and has sustained more than 15,000 burials.

If you're in the Wilmington area, be sure to check out Old Swedes Church. You can have a guided tour Wednesday through Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you're bringing a larger group, it is best to call the reservation line. Cost for the tour is just $2.00. If you bring a large group in a bus, the entire bus  can tour the church for $75.