Of all the homes Sideco has had the honor of rehabilitating, none can rival the history, splendor, and craftsmanship of the Wingmead Hunting Club. The Wingmead estate, located in Arkansas, has a long and fascinating history that dates back to its construction in 1939. It was the personal hunting and farming estate for Edgar Monsanto Queeny, chairman and president of the board for the Monsanto Chemical Company, and his wife. Mr. Queeny's passion in life was nature and habitat conservation, and he traveled from St. Louis to Arkansas for several years to hunt ducks. However, when his wife declared that she would only join him on his wilderness escapades if he could provide better accommodations than a temporary, dilapidated trailer, he acquired an 11,000-acre estate and constructed a 10,000-square-foot hunting lodge.
Wingmead Hunting Club was constructed in the architectural style of the 1930s, featuring a mix of Tudor and English cottage styles. The mansion was designed by the architect E. Fay Jones, who later became known for his work with Frank Lloyd Wright. The interior of the mansion featured wooden paneling and a large fireplace, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The exterior of the mansion was made of stone and brick, and it had a distinctive red roof.
Shortly after Mr. Queeny passed away, Wingmead was purchased by prominent businessman Frank Lyon Senior and his family of Little Rock, Arkansas. The Lyon family has since then purchased neighboring properties, so that today the total acreage stands at nearly 14,000 acres. Wingmead today is a world-renowned duck-hunting club, available by invitation only. Lying right smack in the middle of the Mississippi flyway, it is the quintessential spot for duck hunting, with the 4,000-acre Peckerwood Lake and the estate’s fallow fields to attract the ducks.
Many famous guests have visited and hunted at Wingmead. The Arkansas Duck Hunter’s Almanac famously declares that, at Wingmead, guests “arrive on Friday in time for cocktails and a formal dinner,” hunting all day Saturday, with a possible quail hunt Sunday, before departing Sunday evening. Among the famed visitors are Walt Disney, who was considered a “weekend guest” by the Queeny family.
The Wingmead Hunting Club mansion underwent a significant renovation in 2019, with Sideco as one of the team members selected by the Lyon Family and the Wingmead Board of Trustees to completely renovate the mansion. Sideco had all 25 employees working 6 days a week, 10 hours a day, for 8 consecutive weeks to complete this difficult, time-consuming, but rewarding job.
Sideco is a home renovation company that specializes in high-quality exterior products such as James Hardie Siding and Trim, Marvin Windows and Doors, and custom Spanish Cedar. Wingmead was a unique and challenging project for Sideco, given the mansion's rich history and the need to preserve its original features while incorporating modern amenities.
Sideco's expert craftsmen worked tirelessly to ensure that every detail was perfect. The James Hardie siding and trim was carefully installed to preserve the historic look of the mansion while providing protection from the elements. The Marvin windows and doors were carefully selected to match the style of the mansion while providing energy efficiency and security. The custom Spanish Cedar was used to add warmth and character to the interior of the mansion, providing a rich and inviting atmosphere for guests.
It was an honor for Sideco to restore the Wingmead Hunting Club to its 1939 grandeur and architectural style. The mansion now stands as a testament to the rich history and craftsmanship of the
