Amstel House Museum
4.7(41)google
4.0(1)yelp
HistoryHistoric BuildingEducationalGuided Tour
Overview
Amstel House, also known as Dr. Finney House, is a preserved building in New Castle, Delaware, United States, built in the 1730s. The decline of New Castle in the 19th century meant that many owners of homes could no longer afford to make changes to them, which is why so many buildings were preserved.
Practical Info
MonClosed
TueClosed
WedClosed
ThuClosed
FriClosed
Sat10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sun12:00– 4:00 PM
Suggested Duration1-1.5 hours
Best TimeDecember is a magical time due to the traditional colonial holiday decorations, while June offers lovely garden surrounds. A tour between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM is highly recommended, as the afternoon sun wonderfully highlights the architectural details and grand open hearths of this 1730s Georgian mansion.
Getting TherePositioned at 2 E 4th St, New Castle, at the corner of Delaware Street. Convenient street parking is available along 4th Street for drivers. For transit, DART Routes 015 and 025 stop on Delaware Street just steps from the mansion's historic front entry, making it exceptionally accessible.
Travel Tips
- The adjacent commuter arteries connecting near the historic property experience substantial bottlenecking during weekday rush hours, and curb slots fill by 9:00 AM. Avoid localized single-way congestion by navigating directly to the centralized New Castle municipal public parking lot on 3rd Street.
- Dating to the 1730s, the Georgian masonry structure exhibits significant historical shifting with uneven floor planks and weathered exterior brick thresholds. Galleries use low-lux preservation lighting; visitors must wear non-slip, low-profile rubber-soled footwear and strictly utilize structural handrails.
- Due to load-bearing limitations of the timber joists, tour sizes are tightly capped at 10 persons per segment. Weekend slots between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM sustain prolonged wait lines; book the opening timed-ticket segment online in advance, and leave professional telephoto lenses or extension poles in your vehicle.
Reviews
Positive
- This grand 1730s Georgian mansion was home to a DE governor and even hosted George Washington for a wedding, boosting its historical value.
- The interior preserves highly precious, ornate colonial wood carvings, a massive open kitchen, and sophisticated parlor decor, which is authentic.
- The costumed guides are wonderful, breaking down early social hierarchies and lifestyles in a way that is both fun and educational.
- The mansion grounds are elegant and quiet, kept clean and tidy; the small backyard garden looks gorgeous and peaceful in spring and autumn.
Heads up
- Operating hours are highly limited, usually only open during fixed slots on weekends or select holidays, making trip planning tough.
- To protect the old woodwork, the A/C inside is kept low, which makes summer afternoon tours feel a bit stuffy and hot.
- Admission requires a ticket and you must join a guided group; due to capacity limits, you may face long waits outside for the next slot.
- As an old mansion, there are many small thresholds and narrow passages between rooms, making it virtually unnavigable for wheelchairs.