Greenbank Mills & Phillips Farm

Greenbank Mills & Philips Farm is a 501(c)3 nonprofit historic site in Wilmington, Delaware, occupying a mill complex with roots stretching back to 1677. The current gristmill dates to the 1760s and carries a remarkable lineage: in 1793, inventor Oliver Evans installed an automated milling system here that earned U.S. Patent No. 3 — one of the earliest mechanical production breakthroughs in American history. Local tradition also holds that George Washington posted a guard at the mill during American troop movements along the Red Clay Creek following the Battle of Cooches Bridge. The property encompasses the historic gristmill and the Madison Factory — a stone textile building erected in 1810 and rebuilt after a 1969 fire — now operating as a museum and educational facility within the Greenbank Mill National Historic District. For private events, the Hall accommodates up to 80 guests and is available with no catering restrictions and a fully customizable setup. An adjoining wooded grove provides a natural setting for outdoor ceremonies. The venue welcomes seminars, business meetings, weddings, receptions, and private celebrations of all kinds.