Gibraltar (Wilmington, Delaware)

Gibraltar, also known as the Hugh Rodney Sharp Mansion, is a historic estate located in Wilmington, Delaware, dating back to around 1844. Named after the Rock of Gibraltar, this mansion is a prime example of the Country Place era of art and design and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally built by John Rodney Brincklé, the estate features a blend of Colonial Revival and Italianate architecture, with significant expansions and renovations made by Hugh Rodney Sharp in the early 20th century. The estate's gardens, designed by pioneering landscape architect Marian Cruger Coffin, have been restored and are open to the public, while the mansion itself remains unoccupied and in deteriorating condition. The estate's rich history includes horticultural experiments, family legacies, and preservation efforts that saved it from demolition, making it a point of interest for both tourists and researchers alike.