Since March 2020, museums around the world have been remarkably resilient in responding to ever-shifting circumstances.
Hagley Museum and Library is no exception.
As public spaces began to reopen in 2021, Hagley was poised for a banner year.
In September, the new, pathbreaking exhibition "Nation of Inventors,'' featuring more than 120 19th-century patent models from Hagley’s collection — the largest private collection of its kind — was set to open after years of pandemic-related delays.
Hurricane Ida remnants brought record-setting floods to the region. On Sept. 2, the Brandywine crested at 23.1 feet — three feet above the record.
Hagley, which famously sits along “the Brandywine’s most beautiful mile,” felt the full force of the raging water. Extensive damage occurred throughout the 235-acre property. Large areas of earth were scoured, leaving holes and craters in what are normally scenic grounds.
Narrow-gauge railway, bridges, wooden trestles and fencing throughout the property were washed away. A tremendous amount of silt filled the mill race, clogging a waterway that, on a typical day, provides clean, renewable waterpower to run the museum’s 19th-century machinery and charge its 21st-century electric shuttle. And the Visitor Center, where the new "Nation of Inventors'' exhibition was days away from opening, had more than nine feet of water in the basement, knocking out the museum’s utility systems.
Earlier:Historic Hagley Museum bounces back after flooding
Hagley’s buildings remained structurally sound and Hagley staff were never in danger. Artifacts were removed from the exhibition and placed in secure storage. But assessment of the property made clear that more than half of the museum would not open for some time.
Remarkably, in only five days, the museum’s historic home and gardens — situated well above the Brandywine — reopened for tours with a temporary visitor center and museum store located in the Hagley Library. The annual Car Show was held just one week later, and, in October, the annual Craft Fair had record-breaking attendance.
During all this, Hagley never lost sight of its mission to inspire innovation. While the museum in Wilmington welcomed tens of thousands of visitors, the Collections and Design teams developed and installed an exhibition of patent models for the new Design and Innovation Building at the University of California, San Diego.
And, now through the end of 2022, passengers traveling to and from Philadelphia International Airport will see an installation of 50 patent models as part of the airport’s “Exhibitions Program.” From coast to coast, Hagley continues to fulfill its mission to “inspire all people to be innovative in their own lives” with its incredible collections and the stories behind them.
More:New name, new look at Delaware Museum of Nature and Science
Back along the Brandywine, flood recovery continues to be a focal point. A tremendous amount has been learned about how to prepare for the future. Knowing it’s not a question of “if” there will be another flood, but a question of “when and how high,” flood recovery efforts are focused on rebuilding in ways that better prepare the museum for the next flood.
More than 80% of systems lost in the flooded Visitor Center were relocated to higher floors. A transformer that sat at ground level was elevated above the 2021 highwater mark. The mill race was dredged of hundred of truckloads of silt deposited by the flood.
Masonry work to shore up historic structures is ongoing.
There is much work to do in the months ahead and Hagley continues to make great strides in recovery and restoration.
Today, visitors to Hagley can discover more than 200 years of Delaware and American history on “Historic Home and Garden” tours of the first du Pont family residence in America and along the Powder Yard Trail where early industrial history comes to life at the site of the DuPont mills that produced explosives from 1802 to 1921.
Visitors can experience Hagley on a walk through breathtaking natural and historical settings or by convenient shuttle bus service.
Special programs return all summer long, from the 40th anniversary of Fireworks at Hagley to Science Saturday hands-on learning programs and more.
More:Take a walk in the Delaware Botanic Gardens to discover natural beauties in Sussex County
And, in September, the much-anticipated "Nation of Inventors'' exhibition will finally open to the public.
Whether it’s responding to a global pandemic or rebuilding from a devastating natural event, Hagley Museum and Library truly embodies the spirit of resilience in ways that reflect the stories of the generations of people who lived and worked at the historic site over its more-than-200-year history. Visit Hagley and be inspired!
Visit Hagley.org or set your GPS to 298 Buck Road, Wilmington, DE 19807.
Mike Adams is director of museum and audience engagement for Hagley Museum & Library.
Open Call is a weekly column that offers Delaware's arts and culture organizations an opportunity to share their vision, challenges and upcoming programming with our readers. Groups interested in participating can email Features Editor Tammy Paolino at tpaolino@gannett.com