Arguably the most famous family to have lived and worked the Brandywine Valley, the du Ponts built several magnificent estates in the Wilmington area that are open to the public. There is a wonderful movie and timeline as an introduction to the duPont family. Be sure to stop by the Library if time allows, and enjoy an outdoor walk to see some of the most beautiful azaleas found anywhere. Explore one at a time, or for the truly ambitious with energy and comfortable shoes, do a short tour of each and come back later for more.Today, a morning walk through Peirce’s Park will take you back in time and makes it easy to see why Pierre was so inspired and why Longwood became the favorite of his homes. Pierre’s vision for Longwood is evident at every turn: the Conservatory, carillon, topiary garden, Italian Water Garden, a massive pipe organ, and especially the Flower Garden Walk, which explodes in mid-April with more than 240,000 tulip bulbs in bloom. Completing the scene are the Four Seasons sculptures, the Temple of Love, and the iconic 23-carat gold leaf statue Achievement, which anchors the Nemours gardens.

Three of the grandest – Longwood, Winterthur, and Nemours - are in close proximity and excellent options for a spring daytrip or weekend getaway. Today, many of those spectacular homes and their stunning gardens are open to visitors, giving travelers a peek into a long-lost world of splendor and beauty.Admire the natural scenery of rolling hills, wooded groves, pristine landscapes are you travel through rural northern Delaware.The DuPont family’s grand mansions and their stunning gardens are open to visitors, giving travelers a peek into a long-lost world of splendor and beauty.Embracing a variety of historic locations in the northern and central regions of Delaware, the First State National Monument touches on tales that are central to America’s story…Take a drive northwest of Wilmington, and you’ll notice how the scenery seems to quietly become ever more inviting, and that much more enchanting.  Today, many of those spectacular homes and their stunning gardens are open to visitors, giving travelers a peek into a long-lost world of splendor and beauty.For travelers, three mansions in particular stand as must-see museums, each with its own personality and charm: Nemours (known for its formal elegance); Winterthur (for its expansive gardens and antique collection); and Hagley (for the story it tells of the DuPont legacy):Wooded groves and rolling hills dominate the landscape. The Brandywine River flows gently under sweeping willow boughs whispering tales of American history on its way to the Chesapeake Bay.

Be sure to include a tour of the original house built by Joshua Peirce, and then revel in the magic of the gardens and fountains.

Experience royalty and explore the elegant Du Pont mansions and gardens in Delaware. du Pont started the company that still bears his name today. The trail highlights significant locations…Stately homes stand at the end of long, curving driveways, each nestled in an embrace of trees. Plan on spending 10-20 minutes in the Visitor Center to become oriented, then shuttle over to tour Nemours Mansion. Three of the grandest – Longwood, Winterthur, and Nemours - are in close proximity and excellent options for a spring daytrip or weekend getaway. Worth putting on the calendar for summer 2017 is the reopening of the spectacular Main Fountain Garden after a 3-year $90 million restoration.A 45-minute guided tour of the mansion is recommended to see many of the approximately 90,000 objects in Henry’s collection, including exquisite ceramics, glass, furniture, metalwork, paintings, and prints. Stately homes stand at the end of long, curving driveways, each nestled in an embrace of trees.

They tell a story, one that may be decades or even centuries old, but…This is “Chateau Country,” Delaware’s most exclusive region and for generations the home of the DuPont family and its grand mansions. "In return," The New York Times notes, "he was allowed to play police officer, driving around with a badge, gun and siren." A bus will then take you up to the mansion, where they divide everyone up into small groups of 4 to tour the house. It's a huge home in a small state. Arguably the most famous family to have lived and worked the Brandywine Valley, the du Ponts built several magnificent estates in the Wilmington area that are open to the public.

After his parents divorced, John lived with his mother at Liseter Estate in Newtown, Pennsylvania.