Wren's Nest

Wren's Nest. Built 1916. , Nestled into the landscape, the Wren's Nest resembles a storybook cottage, Alfred I. duPont ordered it in 1916 from Boston-based E.F. Hodgson Company, which made "portable houses" that could be assembled onsite. Alicia duPont's daughters, Alicia Maddox duPotn and Denise duPont, both used it as a playhouse, and it sometimes served as a "schoolhouse" where they were tutored by their governesses. Children of estate workers also spent time in the Wren's Nest. James Dolan Jr., whose father worked as a chauffeur, fondly recalled having tea with "Miss Denise" and receiving lessons from her governess there.,

This afternoon I went down to the Wren's Nest which I found in a disgusting condition since Anderson, the Butler, never followed out my instructions about cleaning it which I gave in June, before leaving for York Harbour [Maine]. I had a wonderfull time padding around in the dust and cobwebs, and got so much dust up my beautifully Grecian nose that I have been sneezing steady ever since. , , Alicia Maddox duPont diary, entry for September 7, 1918

, Originally one room, the Wren's Next had two more added onto it in the early 1920s, including a kitchen with electric appliances. In 1941, after Alfred I. duPont Institute opened, Jessie Ball duPont allowed the hospital to use it as a clubhouse for patients who were Boy or Girl Scouts.