Before it was called Harrington, the area was known as “Clark’s Corner.” In 1780, Benjamin Clark built a house and tavern there at the crossroads of the roads then leading to Frederica and Milford. A later milestone came in 1856, when the Delaware Railroad established a railroad junction in Harrington.

Museums of Local and Railroad History

The Greater Harrington Historical Society has three museum sites and more than 50,000 artifacts. Some date back to the early 18th century. Its first museum site is the original St Stephen’s Episcopal Church at 110 Fleming Street. Built in 1876, the building is one of Harrington’s oldest surviving structures. The collection thus spans the period from early artifacts to a 19th-century building.

Harrington’s railroad history can also be explored through specific objects. The Railroad Tower has been restored to its original operating condition and houses items from Harrington’s railroad era. The restored Model N5 Caboose was built in 1926. The items on display inside offer insights into the daily work of employees of the Pennsylvania Railroad Corporation in the 1920s and 1930s. Together with the 1856 railroad junction, they offer a timeline from the expansion of rail connections to the working life depicted later.

Delaware State Fair and Harness Racing

Since its founding in 1919, the Delaware State Fair has promoted culture, agriculture, education and community life in Delaware. It takes place annually in summer and lasts ten consecutive days. This makes it a recurring event with a clearly defined duration for a visit to Harrington. If you would like to plan your trip around the fair, check the specific event dates before making plans.

Regular pari-mutuel harness racing began on the Delaware State Fairgrounds in 1946. Harrington Raceway is the nation’s oldest continuously operated harness racing track. Harrington Raceway & Casino offers gambling and dining. These are distinct attractions alongside the Historical Society’s collections and the annual fair.

The Delaware State Fairgrounds are in Harrington and can be reached by car or public transportation. Before traveling, check the specific directions and transportation information, as details may change.

Open Spaces and Parks

Freedom Park and the Norman Barlow Pavilion form a free outdoor space at the corner of Mechanic St and Fleming St. Harrington also offers a variety of open spaces and parks for residents and visitors. This offers a different focus for a stay than a museum visit or a trip to the fair: the emphasis is on the city’s open spaces rather than collections or event dates.

Plan Your Visit and Accommodation

Visits to the museums of the Greater Harrington Historical Society can be arranged by appointment by phone or email. The museums are also scheduled to be open on the first and third Sunday of each month from 12 to 5 p.m. If these hours are important to your plans, confirm the specific date in advance. This helps distinguish museum visits from seasonal planning around the fair.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Harrington, the purpose of your visit is a good place to start: the museums explore local and railroad history, the fair is an annual summer event, and the parks offer a different focus. First, consider whether your stay is planned around a specific event date or an appointment to visit a museum.

Discover more destinations: Dover.

Go to the broader travel overview: Kent.