Upcoming Events: Also see our current News Bulletin on the home page
for more info.
Victorian Lecture Series - free to non-members; $10.00 per lecture for non-members. Click to register.
Mourning Tea, Saturday, October 1, 2011
The beloved matriarch of the Bringhurst family has passed away. Sarah Shipley Bringhurst was the mother of Edward Bringhurst, Jr. Guides in period mourning dress will receive guests in the mansion. Learn about the mourning customs and superstitions o fthe Victorian Era. Also on display will be clothing and jewelry of the time period. "The family" will be receiving guests for tea in the parlor, after touring the museum. Click to register.
Victorian Ball, Saturday, February 25, 2012
Last year's Victorian Ball held at the Carriage House was a smashing hit. We had over 125 people attend and they danced the night away. The Friends will be taking over this event - don't miss out on this event! Click to register.
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Current Projects:
The Conservatory - built in 1852 it is the oldest surviving conservatory attached to a dwelling in the United States.
Our two main focuses over the next 12 months will be the extensive repairs needed for the conservatory and fund raising. There were two good articles in the News Journal and The Community News concerning The Friends and our mission over the next year. We have hired the services of John Milner Associates to do the preliminary survey of exactly what needs to be done to the conservatory. They specialize in this type of work and will be a wealth of information on how to proceed. Also, they are experienced in grant writing for endeavors such as this and will be a tremendous asset to The Friends in assembling grant requests. The conservatory needs over $500,000 worth of repairs which include wood framework, door and window frames, heating and ventilation systems. Completing all of the work at one time is not feasible, so we will be doing the project in stages. John Milner Associates will help us plan this out.
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Past Events:
Annual Meeting and Picnic
The Annual Meeting was held on June 5, 2011. Governor Markell spoke. Afterward we had an old fashioned picnic and mini ice cream festival on the lawn with old time games and music.
Victorian Ball, Saturday, February 26, 2011
THE VICTORIAN BALL HELD AT THE CARRIAGE HOUSE was a smashing hit. We had over 125 people attend and they danced the night away. The band, String Theory, from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware was fabulous. The evening started with the Grand March 
and continued with various dances such as the Virginia Reel, waltz, polka and quadrille. Most everyone was in period attire...one lady's dress was prettier than the next. The men looked handsome in a variety of dress from military officers to formal gentlemen of by gone times.
The Friends helped throughout the planning of the Ball by working closely with LorettaSpigel, Rockwood Museum Program Coordinator. 
We helped her locate a band that was affordable, with the catering menu, etc.; but it was really Loretta who worked so very diligently in putting this event together. Thank you very much Loretta for all your hard work. The Carriage House was a perfect setting for such an event.
The Friends also held a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, a wine bar and provided a photographer to take pictures in a Victorian 
vignette setting. We would be very neglectful if we didn’t thank the many Friends who helped provide wonderful items for the silent auction and donated wine. We had a wonderful response to our requests and our offerings included Senate cufflinks donated by Senator Chris Coons and a book entitled “History of the United States Capital” donated and inscribed by Senator Tom Carper. We were asked several times during the evening if we would please do it again. It wass suggested we have a Fall Harvest Ball and a Spring Ball. We'll see, but it was a truly fanciful night and a lot of fun. View it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2p5HbTeuLw
Friends of Rockwood Member Holiday Party
Sunday, December 12, 2010, 5:30-7:30 pm
Museum Tour 5:00 pm
The Holiday Party was a huge success and the rain didn't deteranyone from coming.Santa was a big hit with the young as well as the old and he stayed for almost the entire party! The Board supplied the food and it was outstanding...very little left over at the end which is considred to be a great compliment. The Museum was dressed for a fine holiday of yesteryear and everyone enjoyed the tours. It was simply a fine evening of relaxation and good fun. Hope to see you at next year's event!
Save the Conservatory Fundraiser - Murder Mystery Dinner, September 5-6, 2009
View our slideshow of pictures below.
The docents, volunteers and the Friends of Rockwood held a great fund raiser - a Murder Mystery Dinner. Cocktails, buffet dinner and interactive murder mystery game in the 19th century Victorian mansion. Victorian dress was optional!
We raised over $3,000 which will help finance extensive repairs to the 1852 Conservatory, the oldest surviving conservatory attached to a dwelling in the United States. Repairs estimated at $500,000 include: wood framework, door and window frames, heating and ventilation systems.
