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The 3 Night Trip: Glorious Estates & Grand Gardens of An American Dynasty
September 19, 2013 - September 22, 2013
200 Years of the DuPont Family in the Brandywine Valley
Executive Director Wayne Goodman will host our 4 day-3 night trip in September 2013, as we journey to the land of the Brandywine Valley. Sounds tasty—but not sure where that is located? It’s where Delaware and Pennsylvania come together, offering an amazing cornucopia of fabulous gardens, great houses, and historic experiences. On this tour, in addition to seeing these amazing sites, we will ponder the question: how much influence could generations of one family have on a region—and a country?
We depart Thursday, September 19th, with a stop en-route for luncheon at an historic Pennsylvania site. We’ll arrive at our home for the next 3 nights, the historic Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware. A tour destination in its own right, the Hotel DuPont was built in 1913, and has hosted such notable guests as Charles Lindbergh, John F. Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt and Katharine Hepburn. Infused with luxury, your elegant guest rooms will provide much needed rest after you enjoy each day’s full itinerary!
After your included breakfast, on Friday, September 20th we start where it all began: the Hagley Museum and Library. They preserve and interpret the history of American Enterprise. Located on the banks of the Brandywine River, Hagley is the site of the gunpowder works founded by E. I. du Pont in 1802. This example of early American industry includes restored mills, a workers’ community, and the ancestral home and gardens of the Du Pont family. They‘ll give us perspective on the start of the Du Pont family story. We’ll even get to witness a gunpowder demonstration! Lunch included.
The afternoon will find us at Winterthur. The original 12 room building was constructed in 1837 by Mr. Du Pont’s daughter and son-in-law. The gunpowder business was good to them. The site now has 175 rooms, and is situated on 982 acres, including 60 acres of naturalistic garden. We’ll enjoy a garden tram ride tour and house tour, with time to explore on your own. You’ll need that extra time to see some of the highlights—perhaps the world renowned Campbell Collection of Soup Tureens? Evening dinner will be in a restaurant with Delaware charm.
Saturday the 21st we will journey to Nemours Mansion and Garden. If you look up “opulent” in the dictionary, you might just find a picture of this estate. Built in 1907 by the great-great grandson of the Du Pont who built the gunpowder factory we visited on Friday, it was “done up” in the 18th century French style favored by his wife. Nemours is proud of their personal approach to guided tours, with small groups ensuring we see everything from the gilded ceilings to the golden statue appropriately named “Achievement.”
We’ll spend the afternoon at Longwood Gardens, the largest garden site in North America—over 1,000 acres. You’ll be on your own here to enjoy lunch and choose from the many attractions—just don’t miss the fountain show! At dinner that evening we’ll compare notes on the many delights of the day.
On Sunday, September 22nd we’ll bid farewell to the area, but not before sharing one more meal and seeing a bit of Wilmington. On our travel home, we’ll make a stop for an informal meal on your own.
Please note: this tour will include navigating stairs, walking and standing for tours which may be an hour in length, and touring outside in variable weather conditions. Registration includes the company of our executive director Wayne Goodman and Landmark Society staff escort, 3 nights in the historic Hotel DuPont, luxury motorcoach transportation, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, all admissions, tours and gratuities.
COST
Double occupancy, per person Landmark Member: $1,140. Non-member: $1,240
Single supplement add $270.
Triple per person (limited availability) Landmark Member $1,060 Non-member $1,160
REGISTRATION
Registration Deadline: June 8, 2013
To register, please click here to download the Registration Form. To submit completed forms and payment:
If paying by check or credit card you may send it by mail to:
The Landmark Society of Western NY
133 S. Fitzhugh St.
Rochester NY 14608
If paying by credit card only you may:
- Send it by secure Fax to: 585.546.4788
- Send it by email by scanning the pages and emailing: chaygood@landmark.layer8group.com