New History Eco-Tours Now Being Offered in Milford, Delaware

Terry RogersBusiness, Headlines, Milford Headline Story

Join the new Eco-History Tour offered by Delmarva Discovery Tours every Wednesday this summer

Local tour company, Delmarva Discovery Tours, has teamed up with the Dupont Nature Center, the Milford Museum, Abbott’s Mill Nature Center and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Milford to offer a unique history and eco-tour that focuses on history along the Mispillion River.

“This was a collaborative effort between the five organizations to drive more tourism to Milford by focusing on the Mispillion River, which is a resource that connects all three venues we visit,” Janis Markopolous of Delmarva Board Sports and Delmarva Discovery Tours said. “Each venue will have their own talking points. We have two Ford Transit shuttles, one seats 14 and one 11. We will meet at the museum for a guided tour and talk along the Riverwalk and around the museum. There will be free time for lunch before we drive to the Dupont Nature Center and, last but not least, to Abbott’s Mill for a mill tour.”

The tour is six hours and includes transportation from/to the beach area (and surrounding areas) with stops at the three venues for guided experiences. Reduced pricing is available for groups meeting the tour group at the Milford Museum.  The tour will be offered on Wednesdays from 10 AM. to 4 PM during the months of June, July, August, and September.

“The museum tour will include details on the river and how it has changed over the years,” Nicole Rogers, Operations Manager at the Milford Museum, said. “We will talk about the importance of the river in the town’s commerce and industry over time, especially the shipbuilding industry. We also talk about the Native Americans who called the area home before the first settlers arrived in Milford. This is a fun, casual tour that will not only be informative, but will give those on the tour a new appreciation of the Mispillion River.”

This tour is great for families, small groups, people who love history, birders, small town lovers, those with a shipbuilding interest, day trippers, kids, grandparents.

“We are excited to be part of the Eco-Tour,” Lynne Pusey of DuPont Nature Center said. “The DuPont Nature Center is located at the mouth of the Mispillion River, where it empties into the Delaware Bay. Many of the ships that were historically built in downtown Milford were brought out to the bay using the Mispillion River. Participants will have an opportunity to learn additional information about the historical importance of the Mispillion River and the unique natural ecology of the Mispillion Harbor, which is known for the large numbers of spawning horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds that visit here each spring. The nature center provides an excellent view of the Mispillion Harbor from its observation deck and includes exhibits dedicated to the natural history and ecology of the Mispillion Harbor and the Delaware Bay.  We’ll provide a brief presentation when the participants arrive then give them a chance to explore the exhibits and aquariums in the center and take some time to view the beautiful Mispillion Harbor.”

The final stop on the tours will be Abbott’s Mill Nature Center. According to Stephen Childers, the tour will be similar to what the organization offers monthly to the public.

“I’ll explain how a mill like Abbott’s would have operated and its historical significance and  I’ll operate the millstones using the water powered turbine as we don’t actually grind any grain,” Childers said. “We will do our best to also have our huge Fairbanks-Morse diesel engine running and operating the roller mills. Because I depend on volunteers to run the engine, this may not be possible on every tour. Every family will get a handout that further explains how the mill operated.”

The minimum group size for the tour to operate is 7-8 people. Delmarva Discovery Tours is a division of Delmarva Board Sport Adventures, LLC, a small, local business offering fun, guided experiences such as Brewery Tours, Winery Tours, Farm Tours, Antiquing Tours, Eco-Tours and watersport rentals, lessons, and excursions.  For more information, call 302.260.9008 or visit their websites at https://www.delmarvadiscoverytours.com/ or https://www.delmarvaboardsportadventures.com/.

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