Read House & Gardens

Visit Read House & Gardens

Overlooking the Delaware River in Historic New Castle, the 14,000-square-foot Read House is preserved as a National Historic Landmark and a beacon of design inspiration.

Built between 1797 and 1804 for George Read II, son of one of Delaware’s signers of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, the house is surrounded by 2.5 acres of historic grounds developed between 1848 and the 1930s. When Phillip and Lydia Laird assumed ownership in 1920, they breathed new life into the house and gardens with a colonial-revival vision that became known across America. In 1975, Mrs. Laird transferred the property to the Delaware Historical Society. Visitors today find their own meaning in the space through indoor and outdoor tours, social events, and a variety of programming.

We are currently pursuing a comprehensive garden restoration project to increase accessibility, improve environmental sustainability, and enhance the garden as a site for tours, workshops, and events. To support History in Bloom: Campaign for the Read House Gardens, please visit dehistory.org/bloom.

To learn more about the Read House & Gardens or join our email list, go to readhouseandgardens.org.

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