If you’ve ever paused between the Orangery and Exhibition Hall in our Main Conservatory, you may have noticed two impressive bronze plaques. These century-old artifacts are the recent recipients of an intricate restoration practice for antique bronze works of art—a necessary endeavor following their many decades of display. Taking them down for this important work prompted a deep dive into newspaper archives to examine the origin stories of these plaques: how did they come to occupy such an important space in our Gardens and our history? And what do they mean to us today?
On the eastern column, a shield-shaped plaque from the state of Delaware hangs, displaying state and national flags above a message of appreciation from the people of the state. Opposite it on the western wall is a tribute from Pennsylvania, also bearing flags and words of gratitude from the state’s citizens and officials. They were presented in 1925 and 1929, respectively, as tributes to the philanthropic work our founder Pierre S. du Pont accomplished in public roads, healthcare, and education.
Starting in 1918, Mr. du Pont served on commissions and personally donated nearly $4 million—or roughly $73 million in today’s dollars—to improve Delaware schools, driven by a concern for the lack of modern facilities available for students throughout the state. His activism on behalf of the public education system led to increased state funding and a marked improvement in the quality of educational offerings across the state.
The bronze plaque given to Pierre S. du Pont by the state of Delaware. Photo by Carol Gross.
On January 24, 1925, the state of Delaware hosted an evening at the Hotel du Pont to pay tribute to the service of Mr. du Pont. On the heels of his extensive work on behalf of the state's public education system, the event gathered citizens from all parts of the state. As the Wilmington Morning News recounted afterward, the room was full of "Delawareans radiant with inspiration and intelligent recognition of Mr. duPont's [sic] beneficence." From Delaware's neighbor to the south, President Alderman of the University of Virginia gave one of the evening’s speeches, linking Mr. du Pont's education advocacy to his ancestor's, pointing out the first Pierre Samuel du Pont's friendship with Thomas Jefferson and their shared concern for fundamental education.
On June 1, 1929, Pennsylvania followed Delaware's lead and honored Mr. du Pont with a bronze plaque. Among the notables invited to the presentation ceremony was President Herbert Hoover. Unable to attend, he nevertheless sent a letter that was published in the The News Journal (Wilmington, DE) expressing both his regret and his appreciation for Mr. du Pont, specifically his “enlightened and unselfish distribution [of wealth] in the public service.”
The bronze plaque given to Pierre S. du Pont by the state of Pennsylvania. Photo by Carol Gross.
More than 1,500 guests gathered in Longwood’s Open Air Theatre to hear from speakers including Pennsylvania Governor John Fisher. His remarks called out the du Pont family's history of public interest and service, speaking particularly of Mr. du Pont's use of his wealth as a "means of securing splendid things for the people of the community." Through his efforts, continued Governor Fisher, Mr. du Pont had "assisted in making Pennsylvania finer, more wholesome, more intelligent, and a better place to live in."
By the time this ceremony had occurred, Mr. du Pont had completed work on Kennett Pike, vastly improving traffic between Longwood’s Kennett Square area and Wilmington, Delaware. Construction had begun on a new building for Chester County Hospital, funded by Mr. du Pont’s $1 million donation, which would equate to roughly $19 million today. The man who built gardens and designed fountains had also been hard at work constructing roads and strengthening community healthcare.
In his brief acceptance speech, Mr. du Pont emphasized his hopes for uniting Pennsylvania and Delaware: "The closer we are in every respect," he explained, "the better it will be for the communities … That is my idea of the value of the gardens and if I have contributed to the closer knitting of the communities together, I am glad." He was quick to disavow any worthiness for the award, and his modesty was also observed in his actions.
In this photo taken prior to repatination, a close view of the plaque from Pennsylvania shows a high degree of blue green copper sulfide corrosion. Photo by Kelli Stewart.
A note about the event in the West Chester paper Daily Local News bore the headline, "Host Sits in Sun: Pierre S. du Pont Endures Discomfort While Guests Enjoy His Hospitality." The journalist who wrote the article noticed "that the host occupied a seat in the broiling sun, in order that the speakers might be seated in comfort under the canopy." They connected Mr. du Pont's choice to the historic leadership philosophy at the du Pont powder works, where his ancestors took front-line roles in dangerous powder manufacturing because "it would not be right to ask an employe [sic] to risk his life in a process that was for the enrichment of the employer." Looking out for the community, the writer concluded, was a du Pont family tradition.
Both commemorative plaques were designed with flag supports for state and national flags, and for decades, they have proudly represented our vibrant two-state community that Pierre S. du Pont called home. Last year, we realized that we had an opportunity to highlight that community heritage by restoring the plaques to their original beauty. We called in the team from Moorland Studios in New Jersey: Constance Bassett and David Cann. Along with Longwood Senior Carpenter Bruce Vogel, they worked to carefully remove the plaques from their secure mounts on the wall.
Mr. du Pont’s plaques from the states of Delaware (left) and Pennsylvania (right), prior to re-installation. Photos by Kelli Stewart.
As experienced metal art conservators, David and Constance knew the plaques needed to be repatinated, a common but intricate practice for antique bronze works of art. They took the plaques to their studio and began the work of cleaning and restoration. First, they removed the blue-green copper sulfide corrosion that had streaked across the tablet with micro blasting before painstakingly rebuilding the patina using existing surface clues to restore the original color. Finally, multiple layers of microcrystalline wax were applied to protect the new patina. Then the plaques were returned and reinstalled late last summer, using thoughtful techniques that will allow for future conservation work if needed.
David Cann and Constance Bassett of Moorland Studios work to place the repatinated Delaware bronze plaque in the Main Conservatory, using the lumber below to brace it in place while the adhesive around its mounting bolts begins to set. Photo by Kelli Stewart.
Conservation at Longwood often focuses on the land and plant life, but we also apply those same principles to our non-living collections. In 2023, we had the opportunity to clean and restore our guardian lions, and many guests will remember the revitalization of our Main Fountain Garden, completed in 2017. As we care thoughtfully for our art, artifacts, and historic structures, we steward our founder’s legacy of beauty and community service. With that framework in mind, it was only fitting that these plaques—which serve as an important reminder of our founder’s far-reaching legacy—would receive such a level of care, as well.
