The Fürstenberg-Beaumesnil Foundation
After devoting part of their lives and fortune to Beaumesnil, Jean and Eugénie Fürstenberg died on their estate three months apart, on April 2nd and June 25th 1982 respectively. Their name now remains associated to the history of this place, of which they were the passionate patrons.
After the passing of the Fürstenberg, Guy Dumont-Saint-Priest, Jean Fürstenberg's loyal collaborator, took over the management and then the presidency of the foundation. He held this position until his death in 2004.
At the request of the Board of Directors, his son, Frédéric, became the current president of the foundation.
Since January 1st 2015, the « Tous au Château » society is in charge of operating the site.
Jean and Eugénie Fürstenberg
In the middle of the 20th century, the Fürstenbergs settled in Beaumesnil.
They gave the park its current French-style appearance, and gradually built up the exceptional collection of bindings that are now on display in the library and museum.
Jean Fürstenberg, a Berlin-born banker, and his wife Eugénie, of Russian descent, bought Beaumesnil in 1939. Back from the United States after World War II, they settled, like their predecessors, in the entrance pavilions.
In addition to the work in the park, the couple completes the furnishing with a very nice collection of paintings and furnitures from different periods.
Childless, they created on December 5th 1964 the Fürstenberg-Beaumesnil Foundation, which is recognized as a public utility, to protect this heritage.
At Jean Fürstenberg's personal request to André Malraux, the Minister of Culture, the castle and its park were classified as a Historic Monument.
