Points of Interest: Crowninshield Garden
The Crowninshield Garden is living proof that even ruin and decay can have incredible generative potential.
Louise du Pont Crowninshield and her husband, Francis (Frank) Crowninshield, took possession of the Eleutherian Mills residence around 1923, only a couple of years after the gunpowder mills closed in 1921. Over the next decade, the Crowninshields would transform the terraced area between the house and the creek into a neoclassical Italianate garden.
The site ranks among historical gardens for a number of reasons. The Crowninshield Garden was intentionally designed to resemble a classical ruin, with its pools, columns, and colonnades curated to appear ancient and worn. It is believed that the Crowninshields were inspired by a recent visit they had made to Italy, and that many of the garden's features were based on the architecture they observed in Rome.
It's likely no accident that this garden was built on the ruins of the du Pont industrial complex, a place that had passed into obsolescence. In that sense, the ruins of the garden symbolized the end of an era for the du Pont family and the property itself.
Also impressive is the fact that Louise and Frank are believed to have constructed the garden more or less single-handedly, without any advice from professional designers or commissioners. The extent of their assistance was to hire local craftsmen.
The Crowninshield Garden is the only known garden in the nation to be cultivated around such a unique premise, making it an site of significant cultural heritage that encapsulated the ethos of the time in which it was constructed and also marked a turning point for the family. After decades of neglect following Louise Crowninshield's death, Hagley gardening and historical preservation staff have begun the long and laborious process of restoring the garden to its former archaic glory.
The mission of Hagley Museum and Library is to foster innovation and inspiration through our historical collections. Located on the site of E.I. du Pont's gunpowder works, Hagley's offerings include a library dedicated to the study of American business and technology, a unique patent model collection, and the restored historical mill and workers' community, as well as the home and gardens of the du Pont family. Hagley also hosts a variety of events intended to educate and engage the wider community. Plan your visit today, or consider donating to support our work!