Laurel Heritage Museum, Delaware
Depot museumOpen the first Sunday of each month, May to November, 1 to 4 pm, or by appointment
The Laurel Heritage Museum tells the story of Laurel, Delaware, from inside the town's restored 1910 train station, the depot where travelers once arrived and where local men and women left to serve in World War II.
- Housed in the 1910 train station
- Museum opened in 2012
- Waller Photograph Collection
- First Sundays, May to November
Laurel Heritage Museum at a glance
- Hours
- First Sunday of each month, May to November, 1 to 4 pm, or by appointment
- Admission
- Not posted online; call (302) 875-2820
- Plan for
- About 1 hour
- Best for
- Local history and photography fans
- Best ages
- Ages 7 and up
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address215 Mechanic St., Laurel, DE 19956(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(302) 875-2820
- Emailinfo@laureldehistoricalsociety.org
- Websitelaureldehistoricalsociety.org/heritage-museum(opens in a new tab)
Follow Laurel Heritage Museum
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Laurel Heritage Museum? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Laurel.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Laurel's second train station finds a new job
Laurel's 1910 depot was the town's second train station, built when enough daily trains passed through that the line carried two sets of tracks. For decades it was where visitors first saw Laurel, and during World War II it was where families said goodbye to the members of the community heading off to serve.
The Laurel Historical Society, which has spent nearly forty years working to keep the town's history from being lost, restored the station and opened it as the Laurel Heritage Museum in 2012. Inside are historical documents, objects and photographs from the society's collections. The museum is small and open on a limited schedule, so call ahead if you are making a special trip.
Photographs and town history in the old depot
The centerpiece is the Waller Photograph Collection, which the society describes as one of a kind and which has been recognized by both the Delaware State Archives and the University of Delaware as a premier period collection. The museum also rotates exhibits; the current one, "Oddly Enough," celebrates Laurel's Charity Lodge No. 27 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The society does not post a detailed list of railroad artifacts online, so ask volunteers what is on display from the station's railroad years.
Don’t miss
- The restored 1910 stationThe building itself is the rail exhibit: Laurel's second depot, from the era of two-track traffic through town.
- The Waller Photograph CollectionThe museum's best-known holding, praised by state archivists and the University of Delaware.
- "Oddly Enough" exhibitThe current exhibit on Laurel's Odd Fellows lodge.
A short stop for curious kids
This is a quiet history museum rather than a hands-on train attraction, so it suits school-age kids who like old photos and stories about how their grandparents' grandparents lived. Younger children may enjoy simply seeing a real old train station. Call ahead to ask what will interest your family.
Plan your visit: tips for Laurel Heritage Museum
- Special tours can be arranged with advance notice by calling (302) 875-2820.
- Rosemont and the Hitchens Homestead, also run by the society, open the same first-Sunday afternoons.
- Check the society's Facebook page for current exhibits before you go.
The Laurel Historical Society
The Laurel Historical Society runs the museum along with Rosemont, the Hitchens Homestead and the Cook House. It welcomes volunteers, members and donations, and has a shop on its website. Joining or volunteering is the best way to help keep the old station open.
Other depots and rail stops nearby
The Historic Georgetown Train Station is about 14 miles away and opens for free open houses, and the Harrington Railroad Museum is about 25 miles north. See every Delaware train museum for more ideas.
- Historic Georgetown Train StationGeorgetown, DE · about 14 mi
- Harrington Railroad MuseumHarrington, DE · about 25 mi
- Cape May Seashore LinesCape May County, NJ · about 44 mi
- Chesapeake Beach Railway MuseumChesapeake Beach, MD · about 53 mi
- Eastern Shore Railway MuseumParksley, VA · about 53 mi
- Bowie Railroad MuseumBowie, MD · about 72 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
So many goodbyes and hellos happened at Laurel's little station, including families seeing soldiers off in World War II. That pull between leaving and coming home is at the heart of our book, too. Rally's train rushes through a dark tunnel, and then there is a big bright light and happy cheers, because the grand-paw-rents are waiting. My mom dreamed up that ending, and you can read about her on our story page.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Delaware: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Delaware
- Halloween train rides in Delaware
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Laurel Heritage Museum?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- Laurel Heritage Museum official website(opens in a new tab)
- Laurel Heritage Museum on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
- Laurel Heritage Museum on Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Laurel Heritage Museum: 20 common questions
Where is the Laurel Heritage Museum?
The Laurel Heritage Museum is at 215 Mechanic St., Laurel, Delaware 19956, inside the town's restored train station. Laurel is in western Sussex County. The Laurel Historical Society's mailing address is P.O. Box 102, Laurel, DE 19956, if you need to send something by post.
What are the Laurel Heritage Museum hours?
As of October 2026, the museum is open the first Sunday of each month from May to November, 1 pm to 4 pm. It is closed outside that season except by appointment. Special tours can be arranged with advance notice by calling (302) 875-2820, which is a good option if you are traveling on another day.
How much does the Laurel Heritage Museum cost?
The museum does not post admission prices online. Because it is run by the Laurel Historical Society, a donation is a welcome way to support it. Call (302) 875-2820 or email info@laureldehistoricalsociety.org before your visit to ask about admission or group rates.
Is the Laurel Heritage Museum in an old train station?
Yes. The museum is housed in Laurel's train station, built in 1910. It was the town's second station, and at one time two sets of tracks ran past it to handle the many daily trains. Travelers arriving in Laurel came through this building, and community members left from it to serve in World War II.
When did the Laurel Heritage Museum open?
The Laurel Heritage Museum opened in 2012 in the restored 1910 train station. The Laurel Historical Society, which has been preserving the town's history for nearly forty years, fills it with documents, objects and photographs from its collections, and changes its featured exhibits over time.
What is the Waller Photograph Collection?
The Waller Photograph Collection is the key collection of the Laurel Heritage Museum, a one-of-a-kind set of historical photographs of Laurel. It has been recognized as a premier period collection by both the Delaware State Archives and the University of Delaware. The society's website has a section devoted to it.
What exhibit is at the Laurel Heritage Museum now?
As of October 2026, the current exhibit is "Oddly Enough," which celebrates Laurel's Charity Lodge No. 27 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Exhibits change, so check the Laurel Historical Society's website or Facebook page for what will be on display when you plan to visit.
Does the Laurel Heritage Museum have railroad exhibits?
The museum's building is itself a piece of railroad history, as Laurel's 1910 depot. The society focuses on the town's overall history and does not list specific railroad artifacts online. If railroads are your main interest, call (302) 875-2820 to ask what rail items are on display.
Can I schedule a private tour of the Laurel Heritage Museum?
Yes. The Laurel Historical Society says special tours of the museum can be arranged with advance notice. Call (302) 875-2820 to set a date, especially if you are bringing a group or visiting outside the first-Sunday hours from May to November.
Is the Laurel Heritage Museum good for kids?
It is a small history museum, so it suits school-age children who enjoy old photographs and local stories more than toddlers looking for trains to climb. There are no train rides. Families can still enjoy seeing a real 1910 station, and a visit takes about an hour.
Is the Laurel Heritage Museum wheelchair accessible?
The museum does not list accessibility details online. Older station buildings can have steps at the entrances, so call (302) 875-2820 or email info@laureldehistoricalsociety.org before your visit to ask about access and parking close to the door.
Where do I park for the Laurel Heritage Museum?
The museum does not post parking details online. Set your GPS for 215 Mechanic St., Laurel, and call (302) 875-2820 ahead of time if you need advice on the closest parking, especially on first Sundays when the society's other sites are also open.
What other sites does the Laurel Historical Society run?
Besides the Heritage Museum, the society cares for Rosemont, the Hitchens Homestead and the Cook House. Rosemont, the Hitchens Homestead and the Heritage Museum all open on the first Sunday of each month from May through November, 1 to 4 pm, or by appointment, so you can visit several in one afternoon.
Does the Laurel Heritage Museum have events?
The Laurel Historical Society posts a yearly list of events on its website. Specific dates are not listed in detail online, so check the events page or the society's Facebook and Instagram accounts for upcoming programs, open houses and exhibit openings.
Can I do research at the Laurel Historical Society?
The society's website includes research resources, cemetery records, collection summaries and an archive section, along with information on the Waller Photograph Collection. For research help, email info@laureldehistoricalsociety.org or call (302) 875-2820 to ask about access to its collections.
How do I contact the Laurel Heritage Museum?
Call (302) 875-2820 for museum tours, or email info@laureldehistoricalsociety.org with general questions. The Laurel Historical Society also has a contact page on its website and posts updates on Facebook and Instagram, which is often the quickest way to check whether the museum will be open.
How can I volunteer with the Laurel Historical Society?
The Laurel Historical Society lists volunteering, membership and donation options on its website. Volunteers help open the museum and the society's other historic sites. Email info@laureldehistoricalsociety.org or call (302) 875-2820 to ask how you can help.
Does the Laurel Heritage Museum have a gift shop?
The Laurel Historical Society has a shop section on its website. It does not list what is sold at the museum itself, so ask volunteers during your visit or check the online shop before you go.
How long should I spend at the Laurel Heritage Museum?
Plan on about an hour to look through the station's exhibits and photographs. If you want to see Rosemont and the Hitchens Homestead on the same first Sunday, allow most of the 1 to 4 pm window and move between sites at a steady pace.
What train museums are near Laurel, Delaware?
The Historic Georgetown Train Station is about 14 miles away and holds free open houses with model trains and kids' rides. The Harrington Railroad Museum, with its restored tower and 1926 caboose, is about 25 miles north. Cape May Seashore Lines in New Jersey is about 44 miles away.
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