Wilmington -- Owl's Nest

Object Details

Varying Form: Today known as Greenville Country Club.
General: Designed by Ellen Biddle Shipman, with additional work by Marian Cruger Coffin, the gardens at Owl's Nest combined formality and informality and commanded a fine view of the surrounding countryside. The property was sold in 1961. Eighteen acres became part of the Greenville Country Club, while the rest of the land was developed as Owl's Nest Estates. Persons associated with the garden include: Ellen Biddle Shipman (landscape architect, before 1938); Marian Cruger Coffin (landscape architect); Mr. and Mrs. Eugene du Pont, Jr. (former owners).

Owner: Du Pont, Eugene, Jr.
Landscape architect: Shipman, Ellen Biddle, 1869-1950; Coffin, Marian Cruger, 1876-1957
Owner: du Pont, Ethel Pyle (Mrs. Eugene du Pont, Jr.), 1881-1954
Architect: Lindeberg, H. T. (Harrie Thomas), b. 1879
Landscape architect: Meehan, J. Franklin; Harper, William Warner
Collection Landscape architect: Shipman, Ellen Biddle, 1869-1950

Place: Owl's Nest (Wilmington, Delaware); United States of America -- Delaware -- New Castle County -- Wilmington

Owner: Du Pont, Eugene, Jr.
Landscape architect: Shipman, Ellen Biddle, 1869-1950; Coffin, Marian Cruger, 1876-1957
Owner: du Pont, Ethel Pyle (Mrs. Eugene du Pont, Jr.), 1881-1954
Architect: Lindeberg, H. T. (Harrie Thomas), b. 1879
Landscape architect: Meehan, J. Franklin; Harper, William Warner

See more items in: Ellen Shipman Garden Photography Collection; Ellen Shipman Garden Photography Collection / Gardens / Delaware

Sponsor: Cataloging of the Ellen Shipman Garden Photography Collection was made possible with support from the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum.

Collection Citation: Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, Ellen Shipman garden photography collection.

Collection Rights: Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Bibliography: Garden is featured in Judith B. Tankard, Ellen Shipman and The American Garden (Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 2018), p. 9-10, 132-133.

Other Finding Aids: Lewis & Valentine company records, 1916-1971. The Garden Club of America collection, circa 1920-[on-going].

Collection Restrictions: Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.