The Nemours Foundation was established by philanthropist Alfred I. duPont. Visitors to Wilmington, Delaware, between May and November can tour duPont's mansion and gardens, which are on the grounds of the renowned Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children.

Nemours, the 300-acre country estate of Alfred I. duPont, derives its name from the town in France that Mr. duPont's great-great-grandfather, Pierre Samuel duPont de Nemours, represented as a member of the French Estates General in 1789. The mansion was built between 1909 and 1910 and is a fine example of the Louis XVIth style of chateau. Containing 102 rooms, the house is furnished with fine examples of antique furniture, china, tapestries, and works of art.

The gardens surrounding the mansion extend for one third of a mile along the main vista from the house, and are among the finest examples of French-style gardens in the United States.

Tours take a minimum of 2 hours and include a guided tour through a series of rooms on three floors, followed by a bus tour through the gardens. Tours conclude with a visit to the chauffeur's garage where the family's antique cars are on view.

Visitors must arrive at the reception center on Rockland Road 15 minutes prior to the tour. Visitors must be over 12 years of age. The tour involves climbing several staircases.

Tour Hours

May 1 through November 30
Tuesday to Saturday: 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM

Reservations

Nemours Mansion and Gardens
PO Box 109
Wilmington, Delaware 19899
(302) 651-6912
sjelinek@nemours.org
Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Reservations are recommended for individuals and required for groups. When requesting a reservation (email or voicemail), please provide alternate dates, a daytime telephone number, and your zip code. The reservations office must confirm all reservations and changes. Please note that the reservations office is closed on weekends so any e-mail messages will not be answered until the following Monday.

Cost: $10.00

There are no food or picnic facilities at the Nemours Mansion and Gardens.

Directions to the Nemours Mansion and Gardens

From the north or south:

From north or south on I-95, take Exit 8 north (Concord Pike, Route 202 north). Go through three traffic lights to Route 141; left on Route 141 to Children's Drive (second traffic light); left on Children's Drive; left on Rockland Road. The parking lot is approximately one eighth of a mile on the right. Follow the signs to mansion parking and the reception center.

Or follow Route 1 to US 202 south; south on US 202 (Concord Pike) to Route 141; right on Route 141 to Children's Drive; left on Children's Drive (second traffic light); left on Rockland Road. The parking lot is approximately one eighth of a mile on the right. Follow the signs to mansion parking and the reception center.

From the west:

From the west, Route 41 south to Route 48; Route 48 to Route 141; left on Route 141; right on Children's Drive; left on Rockland Road. The parking lot is approximately one eighth of a mile on the right. Follow the signs to mansion parking and the reception center.

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