James Betelle’s death is one of the more curious aspects of his story. He died in Italy, ending up in an unmarked pauper’s grave, while in Delaware, a stone with his name on it sits quietly in an old cemetery. How did he come to be buried (as it were), in two places? I’ve already [...]
“A Simple But Impressive Ceremony”
October 22nd, 2011 · No Comments · Biographical
Tags:Biographical·cemetery·Delaware·grave
Down Wilmington Way
May 27th, 2008 · 1 Comment · Architecture, Biographical, Diary
In March, 2008, I took a three-day excursion to James Betelle’s hometown of Wilmington, Delaware. My plan was to visit a few research libraries, see significant locations, and, well, just get a sense of where Betelle came from. What follows is a recreation of the trip presented in the dramatic diary format. Thursday, March 13. [...]
Tags:cemetery·Delaware·grave·school
Unfinished Stones
April 2nd, 2007 · 2 Comments · Biographical, Diary
After a 4-6 week wait, I finally received a copy of James Betelle’s will from the New Jersey State Archives (along with some court documents, which I will discuss at a later date). I had already seen a few pages from a 1930 version, acquired from the American Institute of Architect’s archives. Written when Betelle [...]
Tags:cemetery·Delaware·genealogy·grave
“New School Buildings, State of Delaware”
September 3rd, 2006 · No Comments · Articles
The following excerpts are from a lengthy article by Betelle that appeared in The American Architect, Vol. CXVII, Number 2321, June 16, 1920. In it, he outlines the roots of Pierre S. duPont’s epic rural school-building plan for the State of Delaware and the civic, educational and personal benefits it would bring to the citizens [...]