Nemours Mansion and Gardens
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Nemours Mansion and Gardens (300 acres) is a country estate with gardens located at 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, Delaware on the grounds of the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. As of November 2006, the house and grounds are closed to visitors for renovations.
Nemours was created by Alfred I. du Pont in 1909-1910, and named for a French town affiliated with his great-great-grandfather, Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours. The house (47,000 sq. ft.) resembles a French chateau in Louis XVI style, and contains an eclectic collection of notable antiques, works of art, tapestries, etc. Artworks range from 16th century religious works, through many of the European masters, to works by Americans Frederick Remington and Sidney Lawrence. Of particular interest is a rare Louis XVI musical clock, circa 1785, by David Roentgen and Peter Kinzing, which plays four different tunes on a dulcimer and pipe organ.
Garden features include:
- Colonnade (1926) - memorial to Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours and his son Eleuthère Irénée du Pont, designed by Thomas Hastings.
- Maze Garden - main hedges of Canadian hemlock, inner hedges of Helleri holly, and central statue of Achievement, by Henri Crenier, atop a base with images of Triton and Neptune's face.
- Reflecting Pool (1 acre) - 40 feet in diameter, with 157 jets, backed by Japanese cryptomeria, pink flowering horse chestnut, and pin oaks.
- Sunken Gardens - designed by Alfred Victor du Pont (1900-) and Gabriel Masséna. Features large lake, grottoes, and 1930 statue by Charles-Marie Sarrabezolles (1888-1971).
- Temple of Love - in classical style, with life-sized statue of Diana (1780) by Jean-Antoine Houdon.
