Our Heritage
Founded for the observation and preservation of historically unique aspects of the Brandywine Village, Brandywine Partners Heritage Group shares a legacy with the Kalmar Nyckel (tall masted ship replica), the flour mills which fed the colonial armies and it's intimate proximity to the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (W3R), the 700 mile, National Historic Trail which passes within yards of our visitor center. We are born of the actual places and events which remain part of the rich historic tapestry of Brandywine Village and the surrounding areas.
Our Founder
Founder Spotlight
Peg Tigue, Visionary of the Welcome Center
Peg Tigue (1933–2024) dedicated five decades to Delaware public service. After revitalizing the Kalmar Nyckel project and Tall Ships Delaware, she founded Brandywine Partners to champion neighborhood renewal. She secured state bond support, rallied volunteers, and led interpretive projects that shaped today's Welcome Center.
•Served as Kalmar Nyckel Foundation Development Director, Tall Ships Delaware Chair, and advisor to multiple maritime heritage boards.
•Established Brandywine Partners to operate the Welcome Center, securing $106K in Delaware Bond Bill funding.
•Championed community storytelling, lesson plans, and cultural programming that continue to guide our mission.
Sources: Chandler Funeral Home remembrance (Nov 5, 2024); Town Square Delaware feature on Peg Tigue and the Welcome Center (May 2, 2024).
Our Board
Rué Lam - President
Rué Lam is President of Brandywine Partners Heritage Group. Rué has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, further studies in history and art and minor in paralegal studies. She has experience working as a paralegal with law firms, including Mudge, Rose, Gutherie, Alexander & Ferdon, Nixon's old law firm. in addition, she has a background as an entrepreneur, Rué brings a broad understanding of people, organizations, and the community to her work, inspired by the vision of her dear friend and mentor, Peg Tigue. After Peg's death, Rué stepped forward to ensure that Brandywine Village’s story—and its important role in the founding history of our nation—would continue to be told and experienced by generations to come, through the vision for the Brandywine Village Welcome/Education Center..
Dr. Frederick Magner - Vice President
Dr. Frederick Magner, Vice President of Brandywine Partners Heritage Group. Dr Magner served for 32 years as a medical surgeon in the Army. He is a passionate historian, educator, and dedicated advocate for preserving the stories of America’s past. A longtime volunteer at Brandywine Battlefield and member of numerous historical organizations, he has devoted himself to bringing Revolutionary-era history to life through research, lectures, tours, and living-history interpretation—including his acclaimed portrayal of General George Washington. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and commitment to historic preservation make him an important part of the Brandywine Village Welcome/Education Center and its mission to connect today’s community with the people and events that shaped our nation.
Ralph Lam - Secretary
Ralph Lam serves as Secretary of Brandywine Partners Heritage Group, contributing a practical mix of technical, logistical, and creative skills to the organization’s work as a History-Enthusiast. He applies his experience as a long-time Wilmington entrepreneur to working behind the scenes to help develop programs, exhibits, events, and communications, while supporting Rué Lam and her vision for the Brandywine Village Welcome/Education Center. Ralph’s goal is simple: to help make the ideas of the organization work in the real world and help share the history of Brandywine Village with the community.
Matt Williams - Treasurer
Matthew Williams serves as Treasurer of Brandywine Partners and brings a strong background in community development, environmental education, and neighborhood revitalization. As Director of the DuPont Environmental Education Center and founder of Conscious Connections, he has worked to connect people with their communities through education, green spaces, the arts, and opportunities for young people. His experience in creating meaningful connections between history, place, and community makes him a natural addition to Brandywine Partners Heritage Group and its mission to preserve and share the story of Brandywine Village.
Bob Holiday - Board Member
Bob Holiday brings to Brandywine Partners a deep and personal interest in the Brandywine River and the powerful influence it has had on the people, culture, and history of the surrounding region. He sees the river not simply as a geographic feature, but as a living presence whose character and “spirit” have helped shape the events, communities, and stories that have unfolded along its banks. Bob’s perspective adds a thoughtful and sometimes unconventional dimension to the Welcome Center’s effort to understand Brandywine Village in the larger context of place, history, and human experience.
Dr. Katie Leep - Board Member
Katie Leep brings to Brandywine Partners Heritage Group a unique combination of scientific expertise, community involvement, and a deep interest in the people and history of Wilmington. A Ph.D. and former DuPont research chemist, Katie has also devoted considerable time to neighborhood and civic work, including involvement in Wilmington’s Second District and programs supporting local youth. Her thoughtful, analytical approach and commitment to community make her a valued member of the Brandywine Partners board and a strong supporter of the Brandywine Village Welcome Center.
Valentino Paula - Board Member
Valentino (Juan) Paula brings a background in music, media production, and creative technology to the Brandywine Partners Heritage Group board. A Wilmington native with experience producing music and media for advertising, film, and television, he brings a contemporary creative perspective and an understanding of how storytelling through sound, video, and digital media can connect people with a place and its history. His skills will help Brandywine Partners find new and engaging ways to tell the story of Brandywine Village and reach broader audiences.
Priscilla Rakestraw - Board Member
Priscilla Rakestraw brings to Brandywine Partners Heritage Group a long history of service to Wilmington and a deep commitment to strengthening the community and helping those in need. Through her work with the Ministry of Caring, her involvement in Wilmington’s civic and social-service initiatives, and her longstanding connection to Old Brandywine Village, Priscilla has built relationships across many parts of the community. She brings to the Welcome Center not only a wealth of experience and connections, but a genuine belief in the importance of preserving the character, history, and spirit of the neighborhoods that make Wilmington special.
K.O. Simms - Board Member
K.O. Simms is a gifted Wilmington artist and educator whose work reflects a deep appreciation for the people, places, and history that shape our communities. Beyond his considerable artistic talent, K.O. brings an unusually perceptive understanding of the social and political forces that have shaped communities from antiquity to the present day, giving him a thoughtful perspective on how history continues to influence the world around us. As a member of the Brandywine Partners Heritage Group board, he brings that perspective to the ongoing effort to preserve, interpret, and share the story of Brandywine Village.
Rhonda Austin - Board Member
Rhonda Austin serves as the Business Engagement Specialist for the Wilmington Job Corps Center, bringing decades of experience in youth development, education, and workforce preparation. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she attended the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in psychology and minoring in journalism, and wrote human-interest articles for the Pittsburgh Courier. Her passion for helping young people began through volunteer work as a reading tutor at Manchester Neighborhood House and as a mentor with Pittsburgh’s Big Sisters Program. After moving to New Jersey in 1975, Rhonda became the Women’s Health and Physical Education Director at the Newark YWCA, where she taught fitness and yoga and developed lunchtime yoga programs for local businesses. In 1978, she joined the Edison, New Jersey, Job Corps Center as Recreation Coordinator, overseeing activities and coaching the women’s basketball team before continuing her career in business engagement. Throughout her career, Rhonda has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to empowering young people, fostering community partnerships, and creating opportunities for personal and professional growth. She brings this wealth of experience and dedication to her service on the board of Brandywine Partners Heritage Group, Inc.
Old Brandywine Village
Fifth Milestone
2026-07-16; Reorganization and renaming from
"Brandywine Partners/W3R, Inc."
to
" Brandywine Partners Heritage Group, Inc."
Forth Milestone
April 2026, First major installation of museum pieces, and displays in the Brandywine Village Welcome Center provided by The Ministry of Caring.
Third Milestone
2024-05-23; The grand opening of the Brandywine Village Welcome/Education Center located at 1883 Superfine Lane, just across the street from Brandywine Mills Plaza. Implemented under the leadership of Peg Tigue who's vision to improve the community and include everyone and create a focus on the rich history for the area manifested in so many enrichment projects.
Second Milestone
2023-07-06; "Music in the Plaza", originally the brain child of Peg Tigue when she was president of Old Brandwine Village Inc., Brandywine Partners Heritage Group, Inc. took over the production and organization of the very successful "Music in the Plaza" which takes place at Brandywine Mills Plaza during the summer. (Music in the Plaza has been passed back to Old Brandywine Village, Inc. as of 2026).
First Milestone
2023-01-31; Incorporated as Brandywine Partners/W3R, Inc., Brandywine Partners Heritage Group, Inc. was founded by Peg Tigue who served as President and CEO until her death in 2024
Timeline
Key milestones