Summer 2017 - Vol. 46 No. 2 SAVE THE DATE Fireworks at Hagley June 16 & 23 Bike & Hike Wednesday Evenings June 7 through September 13 HagleyMAGAZINE Summer Camps 2016 ANNUAL REPORT July 10-14, July 31-August 4 Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours From The Executive Director Several months ago, I received a phone education system in Virginia. And speaking Executive Director David Cole call from a professor on the Faculty of Law of Jefferson, let’s not forget the crucial role at the University of Paris. He was calling to that du Pont de Nemours played as a behind- inform me that his university is planning a the-scenes broker of the Louisiana Purchase. Cover: Portrait of Pierre Samuel 2017 academic conference in commemoration Across oceans, political divides, and academic du Pont de Nemours on display in of the 200th anniversary of the death of disciplines, this gifted thinker was a true the Morning Room of Eleutherian duPont family patriarch, Pierre Samuel innovator—always eager to experiment in the Mills. The portrait was painted by du Pont de Nemours. This conference, he service of better living. Joseph Ducreux, court painter for Marie Antoinette, in Paris circa 1876. explained, will draw scholars from across the globe Back: Visitors enjoy biking on the and will invite a critical property during Bike & Hike on Across oceans, political summer Wednesday evenings. reappraisal of the intellectual contributions and legacy of divides, and academic this extraordinary figure of the French enlightenment. disciplines, this gifted I was delighted to have thinker was a true innovator. this news, as I have felt for some time that du Pont de Nemours’s life and career as Board of Trustees a philosopher, educator, political figure, and In 2017, Hagley will join the University of Henry B. duPont IV diplomat has received insufficient scholarly Paris in its celebration of this unique historical President Carol A. Ammon attention. Even the passionate historians figure and thinker; our guides will place Vice President among us may not know that this polymath, special emphasis on du Pont de Nemours in Augustus I. duPont who adeptly navigated the end of the Ancien their presentations on the du Pont family and Treasurer Ann C. Rose Régime, the Terror, and the Napoleonic era, in Eleutherian Mills, while our Library staff will Secretary was an influential mentor and counselor to share important archival materials with the Edward B. duPont famous historical actors on both sides of the Paris conference organizers. When you visit President Emeritus Atlantic. His physiocratic economic theories, Hagley, I encourage you to learn more about Edward J. Bassett, CFA E. Matthew Brown for example, were an intellectual resource for the man whom Jefferson praised as “one of Mati Bonetti de Buccini Adam Smith, while Thomas Jefferson sought the very great men of the age.” James C. Collins, Jr. his advice on the development of a public Howard E. Cosgrove Charles M. Elson William J. Farrell II Hagley Magazine is published quarterly by Hagley Museum Hagley Magazine welcomes your feedback. Blaine T. Phillips and Library, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contact us at [email protected]. M. Gary Talley Address: P. O. Box 3630, Wilmington, DE 19807-0630 Steven W. Usselman, Ph.D. (302) 658-2400 • www.hagley.org John S. Wellons COVER STORY Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours Photo by Jackie Kane Photography Two hundred years ago—on August 7, The large plaster busts of du Pont de 1817—the du Pont family lost its beloved Nemours with his first wife, Nicole Charlotte patriarch. This year Hagley celebrates and Marie Louise Le Dée de Rencourt, are in the commemorates his important and remarkable Parlor. Located nearby are portraits of their life. Born a watchmaker’s son on December 14, two sons, Victor and Eleuthère Irénée. The 1739, Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours busts were made around 1776 in Paris by became a noted statesman and philosopher. Jean-Antoine Houdon or Louis-Simon Boizot. He was a physiocrat who believed in the Du Pont de Nemours’s bust includes the ribbon primary importance of land and agriculture and insignia of the Royal Order of Vasa with Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours’s to economic policies. The hardships that the rank of Chevalier presented to him by King personal items displayed in the the family experienced during the French Gustavus III of Sweden in 1775. Blue Room at Eleutherian Mills. Revolution led him to decide to move his Du Pont de Nemours spent the last two family to America. They arrived in America years of his life living in Eleutherian Mills. on January 1, 1800. While his sons, Victor and Upstairs in the Blue Room, where he slept, are Eleuthère Irénée, and their families remained more of his belongings, including his silver in America, du Pont de Nemours returned eyeglasses and an Italian painting of dancing to France in 1802. In March 1815 du Pont de children from around 1550. Nemours made the trip back to the United On July 16, 1817, the charcoal-drying States and arrived at Eleutherian Mills to live house burst into flames. Du Pont de Nemours with his son E. I. was among the men who put out the While on tour at Eleutherian Mills, visitors flames. Unfortunately this activity resulted in today can view items owned by du Pont de declining health, which ultimately led to his Nemours. His oil portrait, on this magazine’s death weeks later. cover, is prominently on display in the Morning Hagley is proud to honor the life of Pierre Room. Joseph Ducreux, court painter for Queen Samuel du Pont de Nemours during 2017, and Marie Antoinette, painted it in Paris around 1796. visitors to Eleutherian Mills will be made aware The portrait was on display the winter of 1798 of his life’s legacy. at the Salon of the Academie in Paris before coming to America with the du Pont family. 3 ONHAPPENING THE GROUNDS AT HAGLEY Photos courtesy of Kurt Stepnitz and Eric R. Day (inset). Combating a Destructive New Foe Emerald ash borer with Last August, the emerald ash borer was emerald ash borer, giving trees a fighting inset for scale. spotted in Delaware, making it the 28th chance to survive. Hagley’s tallest trees are state to have confirmed its presence. The green ashes, and one in the Powder Yard insect is an extremely destructive beetle, across from the Millwright Shop has been native to eastern Asia, whose larvae bore designated as a Delaware state champion. their way into the inner bark of ash trees and This 125-foot tree is one of a few that Hagley other members of the olive family (Oleaceae), staffers intend to inject with pesticides to opening up pathways that disrupt the flow prevent the all-but-inevitable occurrence of of water and nutrients in trees, eventually emerald ash borers at Hagley. resulting in death. Native trees at risk For more information on emerald ash include white ash (Fraxinus americana), borers in Delaware, including how to identify green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), black the insect and steps to take to manage the ash (Fraxinus nigra), and white fringetree pest, visit: de.gov/ashtrees. (Chionanthus virginicus). While trees quickly succumb to the emerald ash borer once infected, preventive measures can be taken to combat the pest, thereby minimizing damage to trees. Systemic insecticides injected into the xylem of a 4 tree have proven effective in combating the HAPPENING AT HAGLEY Photos by Elton Grunden Picture Hagley in Photography Walks Hagley Guide Elton Grunden will lead different seasons and times will allow for many photography walks to give interested visitors different subject and lighting possibilities. tips on nature photography along the Elton has taken thousands of photographs Photography Walks Brandywine’s most beautiful mile. at Hagley and has generously donated them Friday, June 9 - 6 p.m. The walks are not intended as technical for use in advertising and marketing materials. Thursday, September 7 - 8:30 a.m. sessions; Elton will use his knowledge of the They range from scenic shots of mill buildings Saturday, October 28 - 10 a.m. $25 per person property and photography to help visitors get and the Brandywine to candid shots of guides Meet at the Visitor Center the best shots, with tips about prime shooting and volunteers; but what truly stands out are locations at Hagley and general composition Elton’s photos of wildlife at Hagley. tips. Visitors who attend should know how to Elton has captured ducks, geese, operate their cameras. herons, snakes, butterflies, frogs, muskrats, Elton started as a Hagley Guide in 2012 hummingbirds, owls, turtles, raccoons, deer because he wanted to spend more time (a “two-headed” deer!), chipmunks, eagles, outside and he has an interest in early hawks, woodpeckers, rabbits, foxes, beavers, American history. groundhogs—just to name a few. “Having access to the Hagley grounds was Join Elton and see Hagley in a new light. like bait for a photographer,” said Grunden. The walks will be held on Friday, June 9, at 6 p.m.; Thursday, September 7, at 8:30 a.m.; and on Saturday, October 28, at 10 a.m. The 5 HAPPENING AT HAGLEY Photos by Ashley Schroeder More Evenings for Bike & Hike There are more Bike & Hike nights this will provide a selection of ice cream for Bike & Hike Presented year, starting June 7 and going through purchase. By Dogfish Head September 13. All fifteen Wednesday events June 28, July 26, & August 30 are Dog Craft Brewery offer chances to explore parts of Hagley that Days of Summer. Bring your furry friends.