Evening star., 1955-02-10
P. ). dupont Leaves
Most Of Estate for
Upkeep Of Gardens
BY the Assoeioted Press

WEST CHESTER, Pa, Feb.
l0.-The major portion Of the
multi -million-dollar estate of
the late Pierre S. DUPONT will
go to a foundation to maintain
and operate his famed Longwood
Gardens, near Kennett Square,
Pa, is was disclosed today in a
copy of the industrialist's will on
file in the Chester County
courts.
Mr.. dupont, former president
and board chairman of E. I. du-
Pont de Nemours e. Co., Inc,
died last April at Longwood.
He was "a, and the oldest mem
ber of the DUPONT family which
built and operated one of the
worlds largest industrial firms.
His estate was estimated for
probate purposes at $40 million
when the will first was filed in
Delaware, which claimed him as
resident. Subsequent estimates
have indicated the total may
reach twice that amount. A copy
later was filed in Chester Coun-
ty for administration of the es-
tate's Pennsylvania assets.
Foundation Established.
Mr.. DuPont's will established
the Longwood Foundation, Inc,
to use the funds for the main
tenance and improvements OF
the gardens" Longwood Gar
dens has been open for public
visitation for many years.
Mr.. du Pont directed that use
of the trust funds for the gar
dens be continued 80 long as
income from the foundation is
tax exempt by the United
States and the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania"
A specific bequest to the foun-
dation was 5000 shares Of COM
mon stock of Cbristiana Securi-
ties Co., which was incorporated
in 1915 as du Pont family hold
ing unit. The stock currently
is quoted-although infrequently
at more than $1,000 per
share, which would make this
specific bequest more than $33
million.
One of the most valuable COM
mon stocks. Christiana Securi-
ties owns about q per cent of
du Pont Co. stock, has invest
ments in General Motors Co. and
the Wilmington Trust Co., and
owns the Wilmington News
journal Co.
80 COdicilS to Will.
Mr.. du Points will was dated
March 81, 1916. and included 80
codicils, providing amendments
or specific bequests. There are
numerous personal and charit-
able bequests, and the residue
is left to the Longwood Founda-
ton.
Mr.. du Pont directed that all
of his letters and papers be kept
privately for five years to give
his family an opportunity to ex-
anime them and select some for
permanent preservation as being
"of interest to future genera
tions."
+ A number of the codicils pro-
vided for cancellation of debts
owed to Mr.. dupont in amounts
ranging up to $4,000.
His personal effects, books,
printed music, pictures, jewelry
and household ornaments were
willed to his executors, Natalie
DUPONT Edmonds, a niece, of
Westover Hills, Del, and Hugh
r. Sharp, jr., a nephew, of
Centreville, Md.
Lifetime Annuities.
He provided a number of in
dividual lifetime annuities.
ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 a
year.
A sum of $64,O00 a year is to
be paid to the Elizabeth Storck
Memorial Foundation, Inc, of
Delaware until the death of DR..
William H. Kraemer or for 10
years after Mr.. duPont's death,
whichever period is longer. The
will specifies that no payment is
to be made to the foundation un-
less it actually is engaged in
cancer research. or in the treat
ment of cancer.
An appeal filed this week with
the Chester County, Register Of
Wills contends that Mr.. dupont
was a resident of Pennsylvania
and his estate should be sub
jected to the Pennsylvania levy.
The court has not ruled on the
petition. and a final decision may
come only after long litigation,