Some of the pictures of the work done in 2003.

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2-20-03 - We had a snowfall of about 31 inches at the building site, so we made a trip up there to make sure the roof had not collapsed. By the time we got up there, the snow on the roof had compressed and or melted to the point that we had about one and a half feet left on the roof. I calculated the total weight of this snow to be a little over 40,000 pounds (no kidding).



2-20-03 - Princess Patricia and I shoveled much of the snow off the roof, and made sure the scuppers were clear. We should have 50 degree temps and some rain over the next couple of days, I think the rain should help melt the remaining snow.



2-20-03 - Just in case we happen to have another large snowfall, I added a few temporary supports under the center of the roof joists. At a later date, we will have walls on the third floor which will provide permanent support.



3-12-03 - We took a ride up to the castle to check on road conditions. Parts of the road are clear, but parts that are in the shade still have snow.



3-12-03 - What the castle looks like at the beginning of the 2003 work year. We should be able to get back to work in the next few weeks.

IN MEMORY

On March 22, Baltazar lost his battle against the illness that was robbing him of the use of his back legs. We had to have him put down. On March 24, we buried him up near the castle. He was a great companion, and we will miss him.

4-16-03 We trimmed the EPDM and caulked the termination bars around the straight walls and the chimney.

4-16-03 We also started building the four foot wide wooden walkway around the edge of the battle deck. This is where the castle defenders will stand while they pour the boiling oil (or drop water balloons) on the attackers.

5-6-03 We adding rows to the towers. Three or four more to go and we will be ready to add crenelations.

5-6-03 We also have done more work on the 4 foot wide walkway. It now runs along two walls. We are able to carry blocks over to the towers without walking on the rubber roof.



5-20-03 We have partially installed the windows in the straight walls. We still need to add trim, caulk and paint. We are about to order the windows for the towers.

A NEW BOY AT THE CASTLE

5-20-03 We still miss Baltazar, but we have been adopted by another furry friend by the name of Galin. He appears to be part German Shepherd, and part Golden Retriever. He is very friendly and seems to like his new humans and his new home.



5-25-03 We are just about finished building the wooden part of the battle deck for tower number two. If it looks a little out of level, that's because it is designed at a tilt so the rain water will be able to drain more easily. This platform will be covered with EPDM roofing material, and over that will be a deck. The block walls will be a couple of rows higher plus the merlons.



6-10-03 We have finished installing the EPDM roofing material on tower number two. Over this, we will build a deck similar to the walkway around the battle deck, and add a small stairway.



6-14-03 On Saturday, our friends John and Patty Beno stopped up for a short visit. Next time, we will talk them into staying longer.



6-15-03 On Sunday, Patty's sister Mariann and her husband Bill stopped by for a visit. It's been a busy weekend, two visits in two days. We also had time to finish the roof on the other tower. The roof is now completely finished except for the area around the roof door.



6-19-03 We received the tower window we ordered, and installed it. It fits, and looks okay, so we are going to order 23 more for the rest of the tower openings.



6-30-03 We are having a lot of rain, but this photo taken through the third floor window shows that the homemade scuppers are doing their job quite well.



6-30-03 The three steps involved in the installation of the windows are shown here. The third floor window is what it looks like before installation begins. The second floor window is what it looks like after the frame (made of pressure treated lumber) is installed. The first floor window is what it looks like after the window is screwed to the frame. We now have all the frames installed, we are waiting for the windows to be delivered.



7-3-03 While we are waiting for the windows to be delivered, I am doing other choirs, including building a battle deck on tower number two. I have the frame complete, I just need to install the rest of the floor decking.



7-7-03 The battle deck on tower number two is now just about complete. The stairs are temporary, but the permanent ones will look about the same. Of course, someday we will have crenelations around the towers to protect the knights as they pour the boiling oil (or throw their water balloons).



7-12-03 We have a nest with four baby birds in the rafters on the third floor. They look like they will be leaving the nest soon. I told them if they don't get out pretty soon, I am going to start charging them rent. One of them told me that their names are Big, Tweety, bye-bye, and Senator.



7-12-03 We have received the rest of our windows, and have installed them in all but two openings ( we left one opening empty in each tower until the birds leave). Although the windows are in, I still need to caulk around them, and paint the trim. By the way, that door in the center of the wall on the second floor will someday be an emergency exit in case of fire.



7-31-03 I have begun building the frame for the deck on tower number one. This is of low priority, and I will work on it as time permits.



8-3-03 The windows have now been installed, sealed, caulked, and painted.



8-3-03 I have finished building the stairway that will be used in case of fire or other emergency to get from the third to the second floor. The bottom of the stairway is near the fire exit door that you saw in the 7-7-03 photo.



8-3-03 This is the area where I will build the bathroom for the queens chamber.



8-9-03 Our friends Mark and Barbara stopped up for a visit to see what we have been doing. We had lunch in the castle dining room, and Mark helped me clear a fallen tree from our future road. Barbara and Patty spent some time picking blackberries.



8-14-03 The queens chamber bathroom is begining to take shape. The waste pipes have been installed, and most of the wall studs are in. We still have lots of work to do.



8-14-03 This is the area where the kings chamber bathroom will be located. The sink will be on the left, the toilet (okay, the throne) will be in the middle, and you can see part of the shower sitting on the right.



8-21-03 While I was busy working on some other projects, Moat Monster volunteered to help out . He dug out the area where the out-building that will house the oil tank will be located. He did a great job, thanks Moat Monster.



9-11-03 We have finished installing the 1/2 inch plywood for the kitchen floor. Over this will be tile flooring. On the left, you can see where the 1/2 bath on the first floor will be located. On the right, the 2X4's on the floor mark where the pantry will be. The total size of the kitchen is almost 19 feet by 19 feet.



9-11-03 We are also working on the bathroom that will be connected to the second floor guest bedroom. The studs are for the wall that will be between the bedroom and the bathroom. As you can see, the guest bedroom will have its own tower.

ISABEL

The center of hurricane Isabel passed about 40 miles west of the castle. I was very pleased when I went up a few days after the storm and found that there was zero damage to the castle. Thank you, Mother Nature.

9-27-03 We are just about finished with the footers that will be the base for the outbuilding which will house the the oil tanks and provide space for coal storage. Here, some of the work is being done by Princess Patricia (cleverly disguised as a serf).



9-27-03 We are also making progress on some of the plumbing work. This is a photo of the pipes that will serve the second floor guest bathroom, and the second floor laundry area.



10-12-03 Our friends Terry and Shreen Robinson (pictured above along with Galin) stopped up for a visit. At the same time, we were visited by our friends Mark and Barbara (see photo 8-9-03). We had a great time, and went out to dinner together after the castle visit. It's nice to relax once in a while.



10-18-03 The heating ductwork has been installed. We hired this done. The work was done by "Air Power" of Kearneysville, WV. They did a good job at a fair price. Thanks guys.
Also in this photo, you can see our backup coal/wood furnace. We are going to have an oil furnace for primary heat, but in case of emergency, we can use the backup furnace to burn coal, wood, or the furniture.



10-18-03 We are about three quarters of the way finished pouring the floor for the outbuilding which will house the oil tank, the coal, and the firewood.



10-23-03 We have finished two rows of blocks on the outbuilding which will house the oil tank, the coal, and the firewood.



10-23-03 We have the water heater in place which will provide the hot water for the second and third floors.



11-3-03 We have finished the block work for the 20 foot by 4 foot serfs quarters - ooops, I mean the building for the storage of the oil tank, firewood, and coal. We still need to add a roof and doors to the structure.



11-8-03 Our friends the Jemisons (Linda, Kelly, Douglas, and Terry) came up for a visit. They seemed to enjoy themselves, and Galin liked playing with the kids.

More pictures to follow.

Click here for Answers to frequently asked questions about Dupont Castle.

Princess Patricia and I would like to say a special THANK YOU to the following people who have volunteered time and energy to help with the work at the castle site.

Bill Postlethwait
Mariann Postlethwait
Mark Eastwood
Barbara Gay
Jim Eaton
Carol Eaton
John Miller
Terry Robinson
Shereen Robinson
Brad Hurliman
Rob Dekarske
Shirley Mandler
T.O. Galloway

I would also like to thank the following people for advice, technical assistance, encouragement, and moral support:

John Miller - Bull Run Castle
Ron Bigbee - Castle Avalon
Sir Randy Michael - Chateau LaRoche
Peter Wing - Wings Castle
Sue Maxwell - Ravenwood Castle
Mike Freeman - Castell Gwynn
Roger Greim - Kataryna Castle
Bruce Busboom - Busboom Castle
Meme Hardin - Hardin Castle
Wyatt C Mortensen - Sleeping Beauty Castle
David O'Connor - Castle Anam Cara

We would like to thank the following people who donated either money furnishings, or building materials to the Dupont Castle building project.

Bill & Mariann Postlethwait
Shirley Zimmerman & Bob Hampl
Mark Eastwood &Barbara Gay
Frank & Beverly Frederick
Bentley & PamWestfield
Al Dumit
Frank Bredimus - Berkeley castle
Mack & Mattie McLaughlin
Terry and Rick Moody - Sky High Castle
John & Pat Beno
Terry and Linda Jemison
Tientje Willis
Carl & Christine Hanfling

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