DuPont Begins Countdown to 200th Anniversary,
Dedicates Renovated Education Building at Company Birthplace

WILMINGTON, Del., July 19, 2001 - DuPont began the one-year countdown to its 200th anniversary today by dedicating the newly renovated 1884 Power Plant at the Hagley Museum and Library here as an education center for children's programs.

Hagley is the birthplace of DuPont, founded July 19, 1802, by Eleuthere Irenee du Pont de Nemours. The museum and library was established in 1952 to commemorate the company's 150th anniversary.

"We stand in awe of the vision, determination and hard work of our founders and the company's first employees," said DuPont Chairman and CEO Charles O. Holliday, Jr. "But we also understand that our responsibility is to build on that heritage for the DuPont employees who will celebrate our 250th anniversary and our 300th. We will do that by succeeding in our businesses, confronting economic challenges and outperforming the competition. Today is not just a day to look back, but also one to look forward and celebrate the beginning of our third century."

Holliday was joined by four 5th-generation DuPont employees who "are reminders of the achievement, dedication and, sometimes, the sacrifice of all the employees who built the company here on the banks of the Brandywine," he said. A plaque on the building recognizes "DuPont employees, past, present and future."

Also participating in the dedication ceremony were Edward B. du Pont, a descendent of E.I. du Pont and president of the Hagley board of trustees; Glenn Porter, the director of Hagley; and children from the Hagley summer camp and the Christina Cultural Arts Center who enjoyed a 199th birthday cake and a science show in the renovated building.

On July 19, 2002, a time capsule containing DuPont memorabilia and employee and retiree 200th anniversary "expressions" will be installed on grounds adjacent to the Power Plant.

The Power Plant renovation is the first phase of improvements DuPont is sponsoring at Hagley to mark its 200th anniversary. Phase two is comprised of two long-term exhibits. The first updates an exhibit on the first floor of the Henry Clay Mill, the main museum building, and is titled "DuPont - the Explosives Era." The second is a new interactive exhibit titled "DuPont - Science and Discovery." It will be housed on the entire third floor of the Henry Clay Mill and will focus on the company's achievements in the 20th Century and beyond. Both exhibits will be completed by July 2002.

In addition, an educational program titled "Marvelous Materials" is being made possible by a grant from DuPont. The program is designed to address the needs of middle school students and teachers in meeting the Delaware State Science Curriculum Standard. Designed for 6th through 8th graders, it can be adapted for 5th and 6th graders or high school. The program addresses materials and their properties and utilizes the two new exhibits being developed for the museum.

DuPont is a science company, delivering science-based solutions that make a difference in people's lives in food and nutrition; health care; apparel; home and construction; electronics; and transportation. Founded in 1802, the company operates in 70 countries and has 93,000 employees.

Hagley Museum and Library : http://www.hagley.lib.de.us/

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