Classical American Homes Preservation Trust Will Be Renamed The Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation

New York, April 5, 2024 – Classical American Homes Preservation Trust – an organization founded by the late Richard Hampton Jenrette and devoted to America’s classical architecture, decorative arts, and historic landscapes – announced today plans to change its name to The Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation. The name change comes at a watershed moment for the foundation as it rolls-out a five-year strategic plan with a new mission that expands to include educational programming, mentoring, grantmaking, and partnerships. It builds upon the vision of its founder and to better serve existing audiences and to cultivate new ones. The name change, mission and strategic plan were approved by the Board of Trustees at their meeting on March 22, 2024.

The organization’s mission – to advance education, innovation, and stewardship in the fields of historic preservation, decorative arts, and historic landscapes – anchors education at the foundation’s core. Leveraging Jenrette’s properties and collections, the approach will be centered on lifelong learning and experience. Additionally, the foundation will establish new initiatives that broaden the scope and reach of its work, including institutional partnerships to further develop and support new educational and cultural experiences that advance the field of historic preservation and craftsmanship.

With an endowment that has grown to $100 million and guided by three core strategic principles – preservation, innovation, and connection – the foundation will broaden its efforts. Building on the concepts of Classical American Architecture, it will expand its scope to include a range of historic designs including homes, institutions, and recreational landscapes. In addition to ongoing conservation of its properties, which will serve as spaces for learning and convening, the foundation will intensify its efforts to build new educational partnerships that can advance connections among preservationists, curators, and craftspeople, including the next generation of students, apprentices, and enthusiasts of historic design. Specific initiatives – to be announced in the months ahead – will spearhead educational and mentoring programs, grant-making, and scholarships.

“In renaming the foundation in honor of Mr. Jenrette, we have sought to further celebrate his legacy as a steward of this nation’s historic architecture, arts and landscapes,” said Benjamin Prosky, the organization’s President. “Throughout his career, Dick Jenrette was a leading innovator who embraced a Contrarian Philosophy; that problems create opportunities. The foundation will continue to harness these same qualities, through partnerships, grants and convenings, to find new relevance for the rich history of design in America. Our programs will embrace the challenges and possibilities preservation faces, namely: supporting the cultivation of a new generation of craftspeople in historic building trades and conservation; understanding new contexts and interpretations of decorative arts; and helping people explore history first-hand by experiencing and learning about historic sites in new ways.”

“Together with our dedicated board and talented staff, we proudly embark on a new era that expands our mission to educate students and engage professionals and the public about our nation’s historic architecture, decorative arts and designed landscapes,” said Lucy Clark Dougherty, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Additionally, we will embrace Dick’s pure joy of learning and discovery, and the delight inspired by beautifully preserved historic places and objects.”

About The Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation

The Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation, originally called the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust (CAHPT), was founded in 1993 by American businessman and philanthropist Richard Hampton Jenrette with a mission to preserve, protect, and open to the public unparalleled examples of historic architecture, landscape design, and decorative and fine arts from the early 19th century. The organization uses cutting-edge research, collaborates with academic partners, and develops digital resources to educate emerging professionals, craftspeople, students, and lifelong learners. With an endowment of $100 million, the nonprofit is poised to expand its impact by providing direct support to architectural and land preservation work in addition to sponsoring investigative and research opportunities through scholarships, grants, residencies, and artisan apprenticeships.

About Founder, Richard Hampton Jenrette (1929–2018)

Jenrette, a Wall Street scion, and philanthropist, co-founded the investment bank, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, the first publicly traded investment firm in the U.S. He revolutionized the management of financial institutions, emphasizing high-quality research, analysis, and mentorship. He was admired as an innovator in business and philanthropy and served on the boards of numerous educational and philanthropic institutions, including Harvard, University of North Carolina, National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP), and the Duke Endowment. Jenrette earned many accolades, including the Louise du Pont Crowninshield Award from the NTHP and the Hadrian Award from the World Monuments Fund. Jenrette founded CAHPT in 1993 and served as its president until his passing in 2018. In his book, The Contrarian Manager (McGraw Hill, 1997), he shares his passion for the preservation of exquisite architecture: “I believe in building for the ages…In my life I have enjoyed beautiful things built by those who came before—beautiful houses, great institutions. I feel obligated to help pass on some of these beautiful things to future generations.”