Claymont Court - Current Use

Current Use

Of the eight remaining Washington family homes in Jefferson County, Claymont is considered the grandest. At 16,000 square feet (1,500 m2), it is also the largest. In 1973, Claymont was added to the National Register of Historic Places, a US government list of buildings and structures deemed worthy of preservation.

Today, Claymont operates as a non-profit retreat center run by The Claymont Society for Continuous Education, whose members focus on the systematic philosophical and psychological teachings of John G. Bennett. While Mr. Bennett was alive, Claymont operated as a nine-month Fourth Way school focused on his specific teachings, which dealt with techniques of self-reflection, self-development, and spirituality, a systems discipline called Systematics, and achieving a sustainable relationship with nature. After Bennett's death in December 1974, the nine-month basic course project continued for a few years under the direction of Bennett's students but was eventually discontinued, and Claymont opened its doors as a retreat center for many different spiritual groups, healthcare professionals, meditation groups, environmental groups, professional dancers, and many more. It maintains a strong focus on organic farming, buying local, and sustainability. Claymont even hosts WWOOFers to work on the grounds and help with local agriculture in exchange for free food and lodging. The mansion proper acts as a retreat center, having been retrofitted with showers, hot water, electricity, natural gas, and even wifi. A nearby 450-foot (140 m) cattle barn has been converted into a conference center. Besides the mansion proper, much of the estate grounds are currently maintained, including the front and rear mansion lawns. The old gardens, however, which were damaged in a storm, have proven too difficult to maintain and are currently unusable.

The Claymont Society for Continuous Education, in addition to hosting various retreat groups, also advocates heavily for Claymont Court's continuing physical restoration. Claymont has received grant money for restoration through the 1772 Foundation, Save America's Treasures, Jefferson County Commission, and individual donations. The Claymont Society works in tandem with the National Park Trust to lobby for continuing preservation grants.

Among recent restorations, the mansion has a completely rebuilt second- floor veranda, new support beams for the main ballroom, and new window seals and gutter systems. The mansion can still be considered under restoration, though it is fully operational with all utilities.