Interview with Chandler Becker [audio]

Hagley ID:
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  • Birthplace and early life; Getting a job with Louise du Pont Crowninshield
    Partial Transcript: "...I was born..at Five Points, that's just across the Pennsylvania line..." "It was like a jungle...when I first came here...October first, 1928..."
    Synopsis: Becker describes where he was born and his early life. He talks about his family history and association with the du Pont family. He describes his job and how he got it. He describes some of the old buildings that were still standing when he started to work for Mrs. Crowninshield. He describes his first home on site. He describes some of the work he engaged in.
    Keywords: Crowninshield, Louise du Pont, 1877-1958; Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation; Homes; Kennet Square (Pa.); Longwood Gardens (Kennett Square, Pa.)
  • Creating the Crowninshield garden; Description of Louise du Pont Crowninshield
    Partial Transcript: "First job I had to do was to grade it, so its level..." "Mrs. Crowninshield...would talk to anyone..."
    Synopsis: Becker describes working with Mr. Crowninshield to create a garden at Eleutherian Mills. Becker describes and offers his opinion on Louise du Pont Crowninshield. [The interview is interrupted by several phone calls.] He says that Mrs. Crowninshield used the original DuPont office building as a guest house. He talks about how Mrs. Crowninshield used the other outbuildings on site. He describes his time working in commercial greenhouses.
    Keywords: Crowninshield, Frank, 1872-1947; Crowninshield, Louise du Pont, 1877-1958; Eleutherian Mills (Greenville, Del. : Estate); Gardens
  • Mrs. Crowninshield's gardens; Mrs. Crowninshield's trips to Boston; Oysters and seafood
    Partial Transcript: "She was really active in the gardens...it was her hobby."
    Synopsis: Becker describes Mrs. Crowninshield's love of gardening and flowers. He says both Crowninshields enjoyed flowers and he elaborates on Mrs. Crowninshields involvement in garden clubs. Becker talks about the Crowninshields' social life in Boston. [Background noise during the segment makes it hard to understand Becker.] Becker also talks about fishing and oysters.
    Keywords: Boston (Mass.); Crowninshield, Frank, 1872-1947 Eleutherian Mills (Greenville, Del. : Estate); Crowninshield, Louise du Pont, 1877-1958; Flowers; Gardens; Oysters
Details
Title

Interview with Chandler Becker [audio]

Date Created

1973-03-29

Abstract

Becker describes how he was hired as the assistant superintendent of Eleutherian Mills and how Louise du Pont Crowninshield took an interest in him and asked him to be the groundskeeper. He describes the unkempt state of the grounds when he arrived in 1928 and his plans to improve them, as well as how his job has changed over time. He also discusses his impressions of Mrs. Crowninshield, his home along the Brandywine, improvements made to the house throughout the years, and preparations for going to Boca Grande.

Interviewee

Becker, Chandler

Interviewer

Ward, Mary Sam

Biographical Note

Chandler Becker was the supervisor of ground maintenance at Eleutherian Mills.

Note

Truck noise/lound noise starting around 0:48:30 and lasting until 0:53:40 -- conversation is inaudible during this time...Starts again at 0:59:09 until 1:00:57; Mr. Becker is hard to understand; Conversation ends in mid question

Place

Wilmington (Del.)

Subject(s)

Reminiscing
Grounds maintenance

Subject(s) - Name

Crowninshield, Louise du Pont, 1877-1958

Find all items with name(s)

Becker, Chandler
Ward, Mary Sam
Crowninshield, Louise du Pont, 1877-1958

Genre

oral histories

Brand Information

Scotch "Living Letters" 290, 1/4" x 600 ft., .5 mil, polyester, no. 290-1/4-600-LL

Language

English

Type of resource

sound recording-nonmusical

Extent

1 sound tape reel: 1.875 ips. TRT 1:02:04.

Physical Details

A
1:02:04

Repository

Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library

Original Collection

Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation interviews on the history of the DuPont Company Powder Yard (Accession 1970.370)

Original Identifier

1970.370.059

Finding Aid

http://findingaids.hagley.org/xtf/view?docId=ead/1970_370.xml

Item Location

Box 3, Reel 59

Preferred Citation

[Description and dates], 1970370_8613_becker, Box 3, Reel 59, Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation interviews on the history of the DuPont Company Powder Yard (Accession 1970.370), Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department, Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington, DE 19807

Access Condition

Access to this item is provided for educational and research purposes only. The user assumes responsibility for obtaining permission from the copyright holder to publish or distribute this material. If you would like more information, please contact askhagley@hagley.org

Hagley ID

1970370_8613_becker

PID

islandora:2277675

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