Interview with James F. Toy Sr., 1971 September 4 [audio]

Hagley ID:
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  • Description of a staircase at Eleutherian Mills and working on restoring the home
    Partial Transcript: "Mrs. Crowninshield, she had it all up here...."
    Synopsis: The interview begins mid-sentence with poor quality audio. Toy describes a staircase that he worked on. He describes restoration work at Eleutherian Mills.
    Keywords: Construction; Crowninshield, Louise du Pont, 1877-1958; Eleutherian Mills (Greenville, Del. : Estate); Fireplaces; Staircases
  • Marble mantles
    Partial Transcript: "We bought them down and put them pack in again, Mrs. Crowninshield wanted them."
    Synopsis: Toy talks about the mantles at Eleutherian Mills.
    Keywords: Construction; Crowninshield, Louise du Pont, 1877-1958; Eleutherian Mills (Greenville, Del. : Estate); Restoration
  • More on the restoration of Eleutherian Mills
    Partial Transcript: "I tore that down there altogether...."
    Synopsis: Toy continues to talk about his role in the restoration of Eleutherian Mills.
    Keywords: Crowninshield, Louise du Pont, 1877-1958; Eleutherian Mills (Greenville, Del. : Estate)
  • du Pont hosted parties; Explosions at Hagley
    Partial Transcript: "Grace would go up to these dance and she said they used to have a marvelous time..."
    Synopsis: A voice different from Toy's and the interviewer describes how her aunt attended celebrations put on by the du Pont family. The voice also talks about jobs held by members of her family, including clean up after explosions at Hagley Yard.
    Keywords: Christmas celebrations; du Pont family; Explosions; Hagley Yard
  • Staircases at Eleutherian Mills
    Partial Transcript: "It would have had about ten or twelve inches into the center..."
    Synopsis: Toy talks about staircases at Eleutherian Mills. He describes some more of his restoration work.
    Keywords: Eleutherian Mills (Greenville, Del. : Estate); Staircases
Details
Title

Interview with James F. Toy Sr., 1971 September 4 [audio]

Date Created

1971-09-04

Abstract

Toy describes his work on Mrs. Louise du Pont Crowninshield's staircase in detail, the restoration of the First Office, and Mrs. Crowninshield's decorating style. He also describes in detail his memories and work on Eleutherian Mills and Winterthur.

Interviewee

Toy, James F., Sr.

Interviewer

Quimby, Maureen
Wilkinson, Norman B.

Biographical Note

James F. Toy, Sr. came from a family of Irish immigrants who worked in the Wilmington area and for the du Ponts. His great-grandfather worked in the DuPont mills, his grandfather ran a saloon and grocery store at Henry Clay Village, and his father was a carpenter. He worked in the powder mills from 1907 to 1908.

Note

Part 1: Begins in mid conversation; Lots of background noise (traffic, lawnmower), tape hiss/static, adjustment noises, interviewer/interviewee both sound far from the mic; tape seems to stop and start occasionally (or are edits); ends aprubtly; tape stops at 0:45:06 to 0:45:51 when tape was turned over

Subject(s)

Reminiscing
Powder mills

Subject(s) - Name

Du Pont, Alfred I. (Alfred Irénée), 1864-1935

Subject(s) - Name

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company

Find all items with name(s)

Toy, James F., Sr.
Quimby, Maureen
Wilkinson, Norman B.
Du Pont, Alfred I. (Alfred Irénée), 1864-1935
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company

Genre

oral histories

Language

English

Type of resource

sound recording-nonmusical

Extent

1 sound cassette (90 min.) : analog. TRT 1:13:10.

Physical Details

A and B
Part 1: 1:13:10

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

1970.370.273

Finding Aid

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

Item Location

Box 5, Cassette 273

Preferred Citation

[Description and dates], 1970370_9613_toy_part1, Box 5, Cassette 273, 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_9613_toy_part1

PID

islandora:2277571

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