Gene Castellano January 2024
How far did you travel to attend this symposium?
From Waking Dreams “The enormity of the duPont family’s contributions to the character of the Brandywine Valley and the Delaware Art Museum is unmistakable. It is important, nonetheless, that we also sing the relatively unsung praises of another family committed to the cultured well-being of a small but magnificent community.” Stephen Bruni, Director Delaware Art Museum 2004
A Story of Two Brothers Samuel R Bancroft William P Bancroft Courtesy of Hagley Museum and Library (HML)
• Very different in character and temperament • Bonded by Quaker ideals and English tradition • Both deeply dedicated to the family business Courtesy of Delaware Art Museum and Hagley Museum and Library
Philanthropy
Let’s begin with geography
Courtesy of HML Bancroft Mills, the Art Museum and Area Parkland - 1931
Founded by Joseph Bancroft in 1831 The company was a continuous innovator and understood the importance of community and culture among employees
Courtesy of HML The Bancroft Textile Mills - 1931
What made Bancroft Mills famous? Innovative textiles, finishing processes and consumer marketing:
Wonderful Washable Wrinkle Resistant Mildew Proof Slow Burning “Think Wash & Wear”
1940
https://digital.hagley.org/72430_1432 1954: Banlon® Fabrics Are Introduced
1945 – 1967: A Major Sponsor of the Miss America Pageant https://digital.hagley.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A1972430?solr_nav%5Bid%5D=a8ca11 0ffe9253183084&solr_nav%5Bpage%5D=0&solr_nav%5Boffset%5D=3&f%5B0%5D=RELS_EXT_isM emberOfCollection_uri_ms%3A%22info%5C%3Afedora%5C/islandora%5C%3A1972430%22&f% 5B1%5D=mod
Holiday Barbie by Mattel - 2022 The Miss America Theme Lives on Popular Culture
Bancroft Mills became challenged by its Brandywine location: high labor and transportation costs It was acquired by Indian Mills in 1961, who continued marketing and licensing Banlon®. The Rockford finishing plant was sold in 1973 and operated until 1981, when a portion was converted to housing. Another portion of the mills operated as the Wilmington Piece Dye Company, which went bankrupt in 2003.
The industrialization of Wilmington during the Civil War deeply impacted William Bancroft The creation of inner-city open spaces in Philadelphia and New York City inspired him
1929
William and Samuel continued as long-serving park commissioners William Bancroft created the Woodlawn Company in 1901 to continue his goals of thoughtful land development
The Flats: A Woodlawn experiment in affordable housing 1902-1940
From “Examining the American Dream: Housing Standards and the Emergence of a National Housing Culture, 1900-1930, Thomas Hubka and Judith Kenny Working Class Housing in the Early 20th Century
Inspiration for the Flats: Cadbury’s worker community of Bournville in England
Courtesy of HML The plan and style of the Flats was unconventional ca. 1910-1920
Courtesy of Hagley Museum and Library Important Features: back yards, separate entrances, iron fencing, and garden spaces
The Flats Today: A Work in Progress Rebuilding for the next one hundred years
Modern Features Yet Still Affordable Heat pumps, multiple baths, wi-fi, off-Street parking, dishwashers and microwave ovens!
As Woodlawn took shape in the city, a new vision developed for the Woodlawn Company across the Brandywine. It encompassed the land from the river to Concord Pike, from Alapocas Woods to Beaver Valley, PA. In 1919, the company became the Woodlawn Trustees, Inc.
From William Bancroft’s Letter Books: A vision for the Brandywine lands
Woodlawn’s Master Plan: 1946
Woodlawn’s Holdings, ca. 2000
Woodlawn eventually recognized that parks and planned neighborhoods weren’t enough. Developing office space, retail shopping, churches, recreation and community centers also became part of the mission. The sale of land and leases for business & retail became revenue sources to sustain Bancroft’s vision.
Like the Flat’s renovation, Woodlawn is focused on better housing in the City of Wilmington. The East Side near Old Swedes Church is one of those areas.
Thank you for coming!
Acknowledgements: • Sophie Lynford and Rachael diEleuterio, Delaware Art Museum • Erik Rau, Angela Schad, and Laura Wahl, Hagley Museum and Library • Rich Przywara and Donna Gooden, Woodlawn