University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
The Messenger
Vol. 5, No. 1/1995
Recognition: A Special Report
Garden Volunteers Keep Restoration Project Growing

     The historic Goodstay Gardens, located on the University's
Wilmington campus, are being put to good use, thanks, in large
part, to Helen Eliason, who has been tirelessly promoting the
gardens since 1987, as well as pulling weeds, trimming hedges and
watering plants alongside her husband, Doug, and other dedicated
volunteers.
     Eliason and Sidney Craven of Wilmington are co-chairing the
Friends of Goodstay Gardens. The volunteer group hopes to raise
$300,000 to refurbish and maintain the formal gardens, where pink-
flowering magnolia trees arch gracefully over a gravel walkway
that leads to a circular reflecting pool.
     The property, established around 1740 as part of the Green
Hill Farm, was later renamed Bon Sejour, or Goodstay. During much
of this century, they were owned by artist Ellen du Pont (Meeds)
Wheelwright and her husband, Robert, a landscape architect. The
Wheelwrights installed hundreds of flowers-from peonies and roses
to irises and azaleas-in colonial-style garden "rooms." They
donated the property to the University in 1968. The gardens now
complement the adjacent S. Samuel and Roxana C. Arsht Hall, home
of the Academy of Lifelong Learning.
     After retiring from the DuPont Co. in 1984, Eliason became
involved in local gardening clubs. That's how she came to the
Goodstay Gardens.
     "Helen's commitment to the garden is a great asset to the
University," according to UD horticulturist Mike Weaver.
"Restoring the garden is hard work, but she has a great talent for 
keeping us all inspired."
     Within the next couple of years, Eliason says, aging plants
will be replaced and the grounds will be redesigned so that
lifelong-learning students can walk through a lower garden en
route to classes. "Our goal is to retain
the flavor of the original gardens," Eliason explains. "Mrs.
Wheelwright liked unique color combinations and we want to
respect that aspect of the gardens."
     The project is time-consuming, and Eliason spends many
mornings preparing newsletters and working with other volunteers.
"I'd rather wear out than rust out," she says, laughing. "I love
for people to enjoy the gardens."
     More donations and volunteers are urgently needed, she says.
For additional information, call John M. Clayton Jr. assistant
director for administrative services in the Office of University
Development, (302) 831-2104; contact Eliason at (302) 573-4450; 
or write to Friends of Goodstay Gardens, in care of the Goodstay 
Center, 2600 Pennsylvania Ave., Wilmington, DE  19806.