Explore Wilmington's Riverfront Cultural Trail

BY JAN ROSS

IF YOU ARE LIKE MOST VISITORS to Wilmington, Delaware, you probably haven’t discovered the Riverfront Cultural Trail yet. Located just 1.6 miles from the Wilmington Riverfront—home of the Blue Rocks—this trail will immerse you in a fascinating cornerstone of Delaware history. You will learn how the Swedes and Finns voyaged across the rugged Atlantic to settle in the Delaware Valley, where the Kalmar Nyckel—the Tall Ship of Delaware—came from, and how they lived in the 1600s.

The trail starts at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation’s Copeland Maritime Center and leads you next door to Fort Christina Park, and then two blocks up East 7th Street to Old Swedes Historic Site. The latter two destinations are important sites of the First State National Historical Park, which is part of the National Park Service.

Travel back to 1638, when Swedish and Finnish settlers arrived on the Kalmar Nyckel and voyaged up the Christina River to present-day Wilmington. There they would sign a treaty with the Native Lenape, build Fort Christina, and establish the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley.

Visit three nationally significant sites to discover the challenges of both the 17th century and, nearly two centuries later, the freedom seekers on the maritime Underground Railroad:

• Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard and Copeland Maritime Center – The modern riverfront home of today’s full-scale replica of the Kalmar Nyckel. Explore the Delaware Valley’s rich maritime and industrial history, its Swedish roots, plus a collection of 73 model ships and boats and a 3D-animated exhibit.

• Fort Christina Park – A park and monument marking the Swedes’ 1638 landing site that offers interpretive tours, including Underground Railroad history.

• Old Swedes Historic Site – Enjoy guided tours of the 1638 burial ground, 1698 Old Swedes Church, and an 18th century Swedish-American farmhouse.

Half-day and full-day add-ons are also offered:

• Kalmar Nyckel Christina River Cruise or Deck Tour – Set sail on the stunning Tall Ship of Delaware or take a guided deck tour (when available). Not wheelchair accessible.

• Lunch at the Copeland Maritime Center – Enjoy a boxed or catered lunch of your choice (or bring lunch). The center offers a relaxing outdoor picnic area or indoor location for an additional fee.

• Lunch at Wilmington Riverfront – Take a short drive to the Wilmington Riverfront with a great selection of local restaurants and nearby sites like Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park.

• Group Tours – For details, visit KalmarNyckel.org/group-tours. Free, ample parking and full restroom facilities are available at the Copeland Maritime Center where your tour begins. Half-day tours range from $15-$30 per person. Meals are not included.

Jan Ross is director of marketing and public relations at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation.