Completed in 1910,Nemours is the grandest residence ever constructed in Delaware, and its gardens are still the finest example in North America of a formal French garden. The grounds cover 22 acres and the main vista was inspired by Le Petti Trianon at Versailles. the estate was named after the town in France that Alfred I. duPont’s great,great grandfather, represented as a member of the Estates General in 1789.
The mansion was designed by world-famous architects Carrere Hastings and its five floors encompass 47,000 square feet of space:fully one acre under a roof.It’s finished with an electic collection of rare funiture and great art, and yet,visitors still come away knowing they have visit a “home”.
Alfred I. duPont became the savior of the DuPont company in 1902 when he orchestrated a buyout of the bussiness with two of his cousins.This marked the birth of the modern Dupont company and propelled him into a leadership position.during the period he was active in progressive Delaware politics and later became a pioneer in building Florida’s economy.
He was also a philanthropist,musician,composer,engineer and an inventor.His lasting legacy is the Nemours Foundation,which was established under the terms of his will.The Nemours foundation owns the mansion and gardens,and operates the Alfred I. duPont hospital, a multi,sub-specialty children’s hospital.
