Category Archives: du Pont History

Public Speaking, Public Listening

Posted on July 24, 2019 by Roger Walck

“Speak No Evil” by Joe Queenan. The Wall Street Journal, 6/14/2014 How does someone become a professional public speaker, someone people will pay to hear?  Queenan’s career all started by a humorous piece he wrote on public relations that was … Continue reading →

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Pierre du Pont’s Purchase of Longwood Gardens

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Roger Walck

A reader of this blog asked what Pierre du Pont (1870-1954) paid for Longwood Gardens. The question is answered in the 12-minute video that runs continuously in the library of his home there: $15,500 in 1906. Visitors coming from the … Continue reading →

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World’s Dumbest Christmas TV Commercial And Alice’s Pearls

Posted on November 25, 2018 by Roger Walck

My vote is for the latest GMC car commercial. It starts out with a young couple—he especially looks to be in his 20s—yet they are in a house that in my neighborhood would be a many-million dollar house, if we … Continue reading →

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Living Like Pierre

Posted on May 12, 2017 by Roger Walck

“Who wants to be a millionaire (in 1916)?” by George Will.  His syndicated newspaper column, 5/7/2017. Visitors to the Peirce-du Pont House at Longwood Gardens almost always exclaim how beautiful it is.  Wouldn’t I like to live there? Well, no, … Continue reading →

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Pierre du Pont and Military Purchases

Posted on March 24, 2017 by Roger Walck

When WWI broke out, there was no president of what to charge for the large purchases by the US and allied governments.  The Spanish-American war had been too short, and the Civil War before it was too far in the … Continue reading →

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The Continuing Legacy of John Raskob

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Roger Walck

“Comment,” by Harry Themal. The News-Journal, 1/15/2016. (Harry Themal is a long-time, respected journalist in the Wilmington, DE, area. He is now retired, but still contributes a weekly column.) John Raskob was hired just out of high school by Pierre … Continue reading →

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The Wedding of Pierre du Pont and Alice Belin

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Roger Walck

The defining event in the life of Pierre S. du Pont (1870-1954), the founder of Longwood Gardens, was the sudden death of his father in a plant explosion when Pierre was only 14. (See the posting Lammot du Pont and … Continue reading →

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The Labyrinth at the Du Pont Family Church

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Roger Walck

Pierre du Pont, who built Longwood Gardens, once said his religion was a “non-practicing Episcopalian.” “Just like me,” I told my wife. “You were never an Episcopalian.” “You didn’t know it.  I non-practice lots of religions.” The early du Pont … Continue reading →

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The Du Pont Family Cemetery

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Roger Walck

Ta-da! After five years of sporadic effort, I found the du Pont family cemetery, thanks to a little help from a friend. Being a volunteer at Longwood Gardens, often talking non-stop about its founder, Pierre S. du Pont, I naturally … Continue reading →

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Longwood Gardens Potpourri

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Roger Walck

The Pierre S. du Pont who built Longwood Gardens described his religion to be “a nonpracticing Episcopalian.” “Just like me!” I told my wife. “You were never an Episcopalian.” “But if I am nonpracticing, it doesn’t matter. I nonpractice lots … Continue reading →

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