Seaford, DE is home to the Days Gone By Museum, which namely features restored antique farm equipment, carpenter's tools and Woodland Ferry history. The Woodland Ferry is one of the most historic pieces of American history located in Sussex County, Delaware which is near Washington DC. Spanning the Nanticoke River, the ferry has transported everything from slaves to cars in its history, which is older than the United States.
Currently operated by the Department of Transportation, the ferry may be the oldest operating ferry in the US, which is still in use today. The ferry operates year round and is only closed three days out of the year on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's day and from any kind of inclement weather.
James Cannon established the ferry in the 1740s and was run by his son until 1793 where the Cannon family had private rights to the ferry until the mid-19th century. The county then took control of the transport and made the ferry a free trip to the other side of the river, which is how it remains today. The ferry, on the other hand, has since been updated to accommodate up to three cars, but is supposed to be replaced in 2008 with an updated six car ferry and a renovation of the stations on either side of the ferry.
The museum is only open seasonally between March and November before the winter weather sets in. The museum permits people to visit the museum whenever they are open, but requests large groups have an advanced reservation.
