Hagley Exhibit Examines Civil War through the Eyes of du Pont

CONTACT:    Meg Marcozzi, Marketing Manager

                       (302) 658-2400, ext. 238  mmarcozzi@hagley.org

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wilmington, Delaware – April 2011 – The DuPont Company produced almost half of the gunpowder purchased for use by the Union forces during the Civil War. An exhibit at Hagley Museum and Library, “An Oath of Allegiance to the Republic: the du Ponts and the Civil War” presented by Wilmington Trust explores the political, military, and business environments during the war through the experiences of du Pont family members. Letters, stereopticons and photographs, journals, artifacts, and memorabilia will be featured.  “An Oath of Allegiance to the Republic: the du Ponts and the Civil War” presented by Wilmington Trust opens on Saturday, April 30, 2011, and will be displayed through Sunday, July 22, 2012.   Exhibit hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily, closed Christmas.

           “An Oath of Allegiance to the Republic: the du Ponts and the Civil War” presented by Wilmington Trust parallels the very real, personal experiences of the du Ponts to the local, national, and international context. The exhibit discusses Henry du Pont as he rallied for Delaware to remain part of the Union, led Delaware’s militia, and protected the powder yards. Henry A. du Pont, a then-recent graduate of West Point, was conflicted as his fellow classmates chose sides, but he went on to have a distinguished career in the Union Army. Samuel Francis Du Pont, was a decorated admiral in the Navy and successfully took Port Royal, South Carolina, as one of the Union’s first victories. Lammot du Pont skillfully negotiated the end of an embargo on military exports to the United States by England. Learn these stories and more at “An Oath of Allegiance to the Republic: the du Ponts and the Civil War” presented by Wilmington Trust.

           “Telling some of the du Ponts’ stories provides a valuable and insightful glimpse into the complex world of a nation at war with itself,” says Hagley Reference Archivist Lucas Clawson who curates the exhibit.

A Civil War Education Series complements this exhibit featuring a concert by the Libby Prison Minstrels, September 29, 2011; a lecture called "Delaware at Antietam" by Justin Carisio, the DuPont Company’s manager of leadership engagement, October 20, 2011; and a lecture by lecturer Jane Peters Estes on holiday celebrations during the war, December 1, 2011. An online exhibit provides an in-depth view of the powder yards and company during the Civil War: www.hagley.org/exhibits/brandywine.

Additional support provided by Lyons Companies.

 Admission

            Admission to the entire 235-acre museum, including the exhibit, is $11 for adults, $9 for students and senior citizens, $4 for children six to fourteen, and free for children five and under. Exhibit only admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children six through fourteen, and free for children five and under. Free for members.

About Hagley

Hagley Museum and Library collects, preserves, and interprets the unfolding history of American enterprise. The museum is located on Route 141 in Wilmington, Delaware. Call (302) 658-2400 weekdays for more information or visit www.hagley.org.

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 Caption: Citizens of Delaware commissioned this ceremonial sword in recognition of Samuel Francis DuPont's Civil War naval victory at Port Royal, South Carolina. That victory also led to his promotion to Rear Admiral. The gold, brass, and silver sword was manufactured by Ames Manufacturing Company for Schuyler, Hartley and Graham in 1862.