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New Castle is one of the most scenic remnants of America’s colonial and federal era, with a visage of William Penn and his successors in every glance.
While you’ll have plenty of time to explore this still-vibrant corner of history, our preservation work will focus on restoring windows at the Bellanca
Air Service Hangar.
Aviation came to Delaware in 1927 with the arrival of Giuseppe Mario Bellanca at the invitation and with the support of Henry B. DuPont.
Together they established the Bellanca Aircraft Corporation. The goal for our week of preservation work will be to restore the windows on one or more of the
large sliding hangar doors. The work will include:
- Removal of protective wood sheathing covering the windows
- Inspection of windows and removal of broken panes
- Cleaning of the metal surfaces of the frame
- Priming and painting the frame
- Replacement of the panes and sealing them into place
Friends of Bellanca Airfield, a community-based volunteer group dedicated
to preserving the history of the site, has worked with local stakeholders to develop a plan that calls for preserving the hangar while adapting it for community
use. As the last vestige of the Bellanca Aviation Corporation and Flying Field, the hangar will become a key resource in educating the public about a
remarkable era of their history.
Join this community preservation project and:
- Help save a National Register-listed structure
- Create community space while preserving a significant story
- Keep an exisiting building in use – and its materials out of landfills
Spend a week with Adventures in Preservation and find yourself:
- Immersed in the early days of aviation, volunteering at the site where many aircraft production and flight records were set
- Under the influence of a rare fan truss system, a highly praised design from the Golden Age of Aviation
- Spending Sunday on the Green with some of the best preservation craftsmen and women in the US
- Traveling back in time over 300 years as you explore the historic streets of New Castle
As with all our adventures, you’ll take the skills you learn on this volunteer vacation home with you. They’re yours to use in restoring your own house,
in your preservation career, or in other volunteer restoration projects in your own community.
Volunteers from out-of-town will stay at The Terry House Bed & Breakfast or Deemer Place, both located in historic New Castle.
Breakfast will be served at the Terry House B&B. Lunches will be provided either at Bellanca Hangar or at a nearby restaurant.
A special welcome picnic supper and program at Bellanca on Sunday, August 7 is included in your registration. Additional dinners are not included, but we
usually find great local restaurants and dine as a group.
This volunteer vacation is chock full of opportunities to work, play and learn! In addition to your volunteer service at Bellanca Hangar, the following are included in your registration:
- Admission on Sunday, August 7 to Preservation Delaware’s Preservation Weekend in Historic New Castle. Also included is a walking tour of "Almost Lost New Castle” and admission to New Castle’s premier museums including the Dutch House, Amstel House, Old Library, the Read House & Gardens, and the New Castle Court House Museum
- A Sunday welcome picnic supper hosted by Friends of Bellanca Airfield and Preservation Delaware
- Two-session workshop on the restoration of wood windows offered by Duffy Hoffman on Monday and Tuesday evenings, including a complimentary “Restoration of a Sash A – Z” DVD
- Wednesday night’s concert in Battery Park (free but weather-dependent)
- Thursday’s field trip to Penn Farm, the last surviving farm of the historic 1,068-acre New Castle Common
- Thursday evening public program on “The Trustees of New Castle Common”, an unusual and perhaps unique organization founded by William Penn, incorporated in 1764 and reincorporated in 1792
The fee for this rewarding one-week volunteer vacation is US$1,500 and covers:
- Single occupancy lodging
- Breakfasts (for those staying at Terry House/Deemer Place), snacks and lunches
- Workshop training and materials
- Insurance
- Field trips, special programs & perks, including August 7 Preservation Fair on the New Castle Green; walking tour and admission to museums
- Wood window restoration classes on Monday and Tuesday evenings
A Bare Bones Option is available for US$1,050 for travelers who wish to find their own lodging. Breakfasts are not included in the Bare Bones Option.
A special Resident Rate of US$295 is available for Preservation Delaware and Friends of Bellanca Airfield members and residents of New Castle County.
A Delaware Rate of US $350 is available for other Delaware residents. Resident rates include the two-session wood window evening program; all other
events and breakfasts not included.
Historic New Castle is just 10 minutes south of the City of Wilmington, Delaware.
If arriving by train: All north-south Amtrak trains,
including the Acela Express, stop in Wilmington. Taxi service is available from the Wilmington station to The Terry House B & B in New Castle.
If arriving by plane: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is about 40 minutes by car to
Historic New Castle. New Castle County Airport (ILG) services private aircraft
and charters and is just minutes by car to Historic New Castle. Baltimore/Washington
International Airport (BWI) is about 90 minutes by car to Historic New Castle. Rental cars are available at PHL and BWI.
If arriving by car: Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley is easily accessible by I-95, from Pennsylvana or Maryland and
points south, or by I-295 and the New Jersey Turnpike via the Delaware Memorial Bridge from New Jersey and points north.
Information courtesy of the Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau.
If you would like assistance with travel arrangements, contact
Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters, AiP’s partnering travel agency.
August in Delaware is hot and humid with daytime temperatures reaching into the 90s (34 C).
Since much of the work will be done outdoors, we recommend bringing a hat and layering long sleeves over short. Also bring sunscreen, insect repellant,
long pants, gloves and hard soled shoes with closed toes that will be protective while working. Remember that safety is always an important consideration
at the work site.
Sunday
Arrive at The Terry House B & B in New Castle
Afternoon at Preservation Weekend in Historic New Castle
Sunday welcome picnic supper at Bellanca
Monday and Tuesday
Window restoration at the Bellanca Air Service Hangar
Lunch at or near the work site
Evening workshop on wood window restoration offered by Duffy Hoffman
Wednesday through Friday
Window restoration at the Bellanca Air Service Hangar
Lunch at or near the work site
Field trips
Saturday
Departure from New Castle
If you have additional questions or would like to discuss this adventure with AiP staff, please contact us at
trips@adventuresinpreservation.org or call +1 303-444-0128.
