Message from the President
Given to the community by the Fox Companies, the developer of Chesterbrook, the mission of Duportail House, Inc. is to preserve and protect the property’s historic structures – the Duportail House, Caretaker’s Cottage, and the Federal Barn. The property is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Since 1985, it has functioned as a community center hosting events such as local civic association meetings, historic lectures, corporate picnics, and weddings.
Income from venue rental activity and through the generosity of nearly 150 individual donors, sufficient money was raised to replace the roof on the Duportail House, on the Federal Barn, and on the Caretaker’s Cottage. In addition to replacing roofs, the Board has focused on structural improvements and upgrading the grounds by adding informal landscaping beds around the house and the Barn. Many improvements have been made to the interior of the house including painting a different room each year and renovated the sitting room and bath upstairs, yet more projects remain to be done.
Another historic structure will be completed and added to the site this year. A project of the Tredyffrin Historic Preservation Trust, the Jones Log Barn will serve as an additional venue for telling the stories of Duportail, Valley Forge, and of this 300+ year-old community.
We are grateful to those of you who have already joined the Friends of Duportail. Your contributions have made a difference. I thank each of you for supporting these historic preservation projects. Together, we are Making History Where History Was Made.
C. Richard Downes
President
Duportail House, Inc.