DuPont powder mills explosions are program topic Jan. 10

The Milford Museum American History Series will host “Disaster Along the Brandywine: Explosions at the DuPont Powder Mills” presented by Dick Templeton at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 10, at Milford Public Library, 11 SE Front St., Milford.

In its 124-year history, the DuPont black powder mills, run by the power of water from Brandywine Creek, produced millions of pounds of materials that helped build America. The mills produced wealth for a family whose name would become synonymous with innovation in chemicals. However, the mills along the peaceful, bubbling creek also created widows and orphans. During most of the 19th century and the first part of the 20th, 288 explosions tore apart mill buildings, the surrounding flora, and the lives of the workers whose job it was to work with the volatile and unpredictable powder.

Originally from Illinois, Templeton lives in Wilmington and works as a tour guide at the Hagley Museum and Library, the site of the original DuPont black powder factory in northern Delaware. His past jobs include police officer, firefighter/EMT, telecommunications analyst/engineer/consultant, and U.S. Army stockade counselor. In retirement, Templeton is a pyrotechnician, setting up automated fireworks displays in Long Island, N.Y. He has a master’s degree in public administration and has traveled around the world.

Sponsored by the Milford Museum, these monthly programs focus on a variety of topics concerning local, state and national history. For more information, contact the museum at 302-424-1080 or email tom@milfordDEmuseum.org. The programs are offered through a generous grant from the Delaware Heritage Commission.