Plan Your Visit

Located along the Red Clay Creek in scenic Yorklyn, Delaware, the Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights Preserve is conveniently located just outside Wilmington, Delaware:

• 40 min from Philadelphia
• 15 min from Wilmington, DE
• 10 min from Kennett Square, PA

Auburn Heights Preserve includes:

Auburn Heights Mansion: Once home to three generations of the Marshall family, the antiques-furnished Queen Anne-style mansion is open to the public for tours on public Steamin’ Days and may also be seen on private reserved tours.

Marshall Steam Museum: Featuring the world’s largest collection of operating steam automobiles, plus two 1930s Packards, a 1901 Mobile steamer and a 1909 White steam car, the museum also houses scale-size steam locomotives, a 1930s standard-gauge Lionel electric trains layout, antique music machines, plus special exhibits. The museum is open to the public on Steamin’ Days and for private tours.

Auburn Valley Trail: The first section of the Auburn Heights Preserve’s multi-use trail opened in 2012 and is available for use by pedestrians and bicyclists from dawn to dusk. The trailhead and and parking lot are accessed from Benge Road, just below the Auburn Heights estate, by following the brown directional signs on Route 82 (Creek Road). Standard Delaware State Parks parking fees apply.

HOURS & ADMISSION

A predominantly volunteer-staffed site, Auburn Heights is not yet able to maintain regular operating hours but is open to the public each year for a growing number of public Steamin’ Days as well as for private tours. Following are the three option currently available for visiting Auburn Heights and the Marshall Steam Museum:

• Public Steamin’ Days: Enjoy rides in our antique autos and on the Auburn Valley Railroad at these fun-filled family days: held the first Sunday of each month from June through November, plus Steamin’ Holidays (which include Easter, Halloween and Thanksgiving). For complete details on dates, admission options and offerings, click here!
• Reserved Group Tours: Groups of 8 or more may schedule a private tour of the Marshall Steam Museum or the Auburn Heights Mansion — or both! These visits do not include rides but offer a wonderful behind-the-scenes look at the site and its extraordinary collections. Tickets are $7/person for either the Mansion or Museum — or $12 for both (a savings of $2/person). For questions or to schedule a visit for you group, call (302) 239-2385  or e-mail admin@AuburnHeights.org. Please schedule at least two weeks prior to your preferred date.
• Open House Tours: Tour the Marshall Steam Museum or the Auburn Heights Mansion — or both — on the first Friday or third Saturday of each month, April through November, without any minimum group size restrictions (but please note that reservations are required at least two days in advance). No rides are available during these visits, but you will enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the Auburn Heights estate and its collections. Tickets are $7/person for either the Mansion or Museum — or $12 for both (a savings of $2/person). The Mansion Tour begins at 1:00 on the front porch; Museum Tour starts at 2:00. For questions or to reserve your spot, call (302) 239-2385  or e-mail admin@AuburnHeights.org.

DIRECTIONS

Auburn Heights is located in Yorklyn, Delaware, on Route 82 (about 9 miles northwest of Wilmington) at the intersection of Creek and Benge roads.

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The best GPS address for Auburn Heights is 3000 Creek Road, Hockessin DE (many satellite systems cannot handle a return to yesteryear and have difficulty locating the town of Yorklyn).

From Wilmington: Take Rte. 48 (Lancaster Pike) or Rte. 41 (Newport Gap Pike) to Hockessin. At the main traffic light in Hockessin, turn right on Yorklyn Rd. and go about 2 miles until you reach the bridge across Red Clay Creek. Follow the brown “Auburn Heights Preserve” sign to make a sharp left onto Creek Road as soon as you cross the bridge. Auburn Heights is ¼ mile ahead. Parking for events is in the field on the right.

From Pennsylvania: Take Rte. 41 south to the second traffic light in Hockessin, Delaware. Turn left onto Yorklyn Rd. and go about 2 miles until you reach the bridge across Red Clay Creek. Follow the brown “Auburn Heights Preserve” sign to make a sharp left onto Creek Road as soon as you cross the bridge. Auburn Heights is ¼ mile ahead. Parking for events is in the field on the right.

ACCESSIBILITY

When booking a private tour, please mention any accessibility needs you or your group might have so that we can make arrangements ahead of time. The museum building is accessible to individuals with disabilities, but the historic mansion may not be due to its many steps, both inside and out. Please advise the F.A.H.P. office at the time of reservation of any special needs in terms of wheelchairs, walking limitations, etc. for your group, and we will be happy to assist or advise of the existing challenges. We are happy to help in any way possible, but please note that the public restrooms are not wheelchair accessible.

PARKING

On public event days, vehicles with official permits may use designated parking spaces in the Event Parking area. Parking attendants will be happy to point visitors to them upon arrival. Reserved tour groups with 4 or fewer vehicles may park alongside the museum. Please call to inquire if you need directions or assistance.

MAILING ADDRESS

Auburn Heights

P.O. Box 61

Yorklyn, DE 19736

PHYSICAL STREET ADDRESS

Auburn Heights

3000 Creek Road

Yorklyn, DE 19736