NEMOURS ESTATE

The one thing about living where I do, is we are so close to many different day options or weekend Get-Aways. In addition to Philadelphia, New Hope and Harrisburg, we are also so close to NYC, the Adirondacks Mts and the Pocono Mts, Washington DC, Balitmore, and numerous stops in Delaware such as the beach points and Wilmington. Which is where the day took stockbroker and I for a day trip to the Nemours Estate. One of two times we got together on his visit.

I couldn't believe I lived so close and have never seen it. Nemours is all around spectacular too! It exists as a perfectly preserved piece of the Gilded Age, seemingly untouched by the hands of time. With acres of glorious gardens and a mansion designed by Carre're and Hastings, it will exceed any grand estate expectations you may have. Constructed in 1910 as a gift to Alfred I DuPont's Francophile second wife Jessie, this massive 77 room mansion was modeled after Versailles'Petit Trianon.Designed in one of my favorite styles, Rococo, it is an absolute architectural showpiece, but still much smaller than the "summer cottages" that I have seen in Newport. The mansion still showcases workmen and craftsmanship we don't and won't see again...every excess of the era. Solidly built of granite, it features exotic woods, marble, intricate wainscotting and moldings and faux finishes. Indeed, no expense was spared to impress his bride and this attention to detail survives to this day. Additionally, unlike many gutted Gilded Age homes, here the original decor remains intact, featuring over 110,000 items including a clock made for Marie Antoinette, ending up in the hands of the DuPonts. While Alfred DuPont dies in 1935, his wife Jessie remained at the estate until her death in 1970, where the ownership then passed to the Nemours Foundation, which per DuPont's instruction was to open the property to the public.

According to our tour brochure. these gates once stood outside the Russian Palace of Catherine the Great, but now call Nemours home. Pretty neat.

The pedestal pillars and clock was the one pictured here that belonged to Marie Antoinette.

Can you believe the intricate woodwork in this room on the walls, and that floor! Took my breath away.

In memory of the favorite Bloodhounds and family pets that once roamed the property.

 Sure, don't see work and craftsmanship like this anymore. Also makes one sad to see how disposable we have become and will settle for subpar construction anymore.