The Arsenal

The Arsenal in Historic New Castle has gone through many different uses over the years.

Bruce Burk

Quick Facts

Location:

30 Market St, New Castle, DE 19720

MANAGED BY:

New Castle Historical Society

Amenities

10 listed

Accessible Rooms, Benches/Seating, Bicycle - Rack, Food/Drink - Snacks, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Information, Information - Maps Available, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Internet/WiFi Available, Restroom

The Arsenal was originally built in the early 1800’s after the Secretary of War was allocated money by the United State Government in response to the threat of war with England. The building served as an active Arsenal, supplied with materials from The United States Arsenal on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, until the 1820’s. Overtime, this building would become living quarters for troops at Fort Delaware, storage for the New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad company and for the United States Engineer Department. In 1843, the town voted at a town meeting that the building would no longer be able to be used to store gun powder or as housing for troops unless the town folks agreed ahead of time. In 1852, The Arsenal started its new life as a high school where boys and girls would attend class, in separate rooms, and be tested on Greek, Latin, English, etymology, algebra, arithmetic, history, physiology, and constitutional history. The building would remain a high school until 1930 when William Penn School was opened. Today, the building is owned by the State of Delaware and leased by the New Castle Historical Society who provide tours of the town.