Delaware Agricultural Museum Receives $1.6M state bond

When Delaware bond money was allocated in early July, Delaware Agricultural Museum Director Carolyn Claypoole of Lewes said she was overjoyed to hear that the museum would receive $1.6 million for infrastructure improvements including electrical upgrades and energy-efficient lighting.

“We have continued to receive extraordinary statewide legislative support, and this generous grant is but one example of that,” Claypoole said.

She said the funds will help further the progress being made in creating a model, multiuse facility with exhibits and educational programming that promotes and celebrates the importance of Delaware agriculture and the state’s rich rural history.

With a 38,000-square-foot main museum and 22 buildings in the historic 1890s Village, the infrastructure improvements will allow for expanded educational programming and new exhibits as well as an increased number of private and public events.

“The agricultural museum and village is beloved by all who come here, and we are working on new ways to share the experience and broaden our reach within the state and region, and now around the country through our state-of-the-art educational virtual learning field trips,” said Claypoole.

A key supporter of the private nonprofit museum, Sen. Colin Bonini, R-Dover South, recently called the museum “a true Delaware treasure and a significant educational and economic asset that thousands of Delaware schoolchildren visit.”

Work on the infrastructure upgrades at the Delaware Agricultural Museum will begin in the fall.