Our
Philosophy
Since 1987, Chadsworth Incorporated provides top-quality architectural products and support services to its residential and commercial customers. At the root of the company’s ongoing success are its people — creative thinkers, skilled designers, and good listeners — many of whom have been with the company for decades. At every level, from design development to managing production, manufacturing, and distribution, working together responsibly is the overarching goal. Value is placed equally on commitment to relationships and in the quality of Chadsworth’s products. Under the guiding helm of founder Jeffrey Lynn Davis, the company is an innovator as it navigates constant change in the building industry. Chadsworth’s expansive leadership and service are acknowledged in the construction and architectural community nationwide.
Founder
Jeffrey Lynn Davis
Jeffrey Lynn Davis is a business entrepreneur and founder of Chadsworth Incorporated, a column and architectural elements manufacturing company. Established in 1987, Chadsworth was originally a mail-order business located in Atlanta, Georgia. The headquarters for the company, now boosting a robust internet sales system, is based in Historic Wilmington, North Carolina. Conceived as a resource for both residential and commercial architects and their demands for quality, Chadsworth provides accurate, historically driven stock elements as well as products developed for high-end architecture. Jeffrey and his company have since developed a singular reputation as a leading manufacturer and distributor for columns nationwide.
A graduate of St. Andrews University, Jeffrey’s early career included work at Union Carbide and in the telecommunications industry prior to starting Chadsworth at the age of 26. Parallel to the development and refining of his own business, which epitomizes the “direct to user” approach that lowers costs for the building industry, Jeff became involved in the earliest days of two significant non-profit, architectural education organizations: the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) and the International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture, and Urbanism (INTBAU). The ICAA began with a summer program in classical architecture in an effort to fill a void in most university architecture programs, which were primarily theoretical and strictly modernist, and INTBAU was founded by HRH, the Prince of Wales to support traditional building practices around the world.
A practical-minded visionary, Jeff quickly become an indispensable presence on the board of the nascent ICAA, which had its beginnings in New York City in the early 1990s. Jeffrey served on the ICAA board for 17 years and continues to consult and promote the organization, in particular the organization’s 15 state and regional chapters located around the United States.
INTBAU began in 2001 with Jeffrey as one of its first advisory members and it has since grown to 33 chapters around the globe as a network of diverse professionals in support of adapting traditional building architecture and urbanism to modern needs and lives. A recognized innovator and leader in the building field, Jeffrey has long been an advocate for ongoing education for students and professionals in the industry, which is at the core of the ICAA’s and INTBAU’s missions. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Cape Fear Community College, where he established a scholarship for business students. Jeffrey currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
In addition to his philanthropic educational service, Jeffrey frequently lectures on classical architecture and the history of columns. He also has appeared on national television.
Jeffrey resides with his family on Figure Eight Island, North Carolina, where he is an avid photographer of the coastal landscape and its wildlife. He is also an inveterate globetrotter and participates regularly in the ICAA travel programs.
Our
COMMUNITY
We are proud to be working with the following cultural and trade organizations
Institute of Classical Architecture & Art
Chadsworth Founder Jeffrey L. Davis served as a Trustee of the Institute for 17 years and continues to support both the ICAA’s National Office and the ICAA chapters. Chadsworth is a regular sponsor of national and regional awards, an advertiser in The Classicist, and a Patron member of the Institute. Mr. Davis is an Individual member of the ICAA and a regular participant in the Institute’s travel programs in conjunction with Classical Excursions. Chadsworth supports The Classicist and the following chapters; New England, Texas, Utah, Northern California, Southern California, Southeast, North Carolina
INTBAU
Mr. Davis served as a founding member of the Board of the International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism. INTBAU’s mission is “to support traditional building, the maintenance of local character, and the creation of better places to live.” Established in 2001 with HRH The Prince of Wales as Founder, INTBAU now boasts over 30 chapters worldwide.
Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise
Mr. Davis currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Kenan Institute promotes entrepreneurship to energize economic prosperity.
Aspire Show House
Chadsworth is proud to be a contributor to the 2020 Aspire Design and Home Show House in McLean, Virginia. It is an honor to partner with designers such as Harrison Design and Show House Chair Mary Douglas Drysdale to benefit the Cancer Support Community.
Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts
Mr. Davis and Chadsworth are supporters of the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Mr. Davis is a member of the Frank L. Horton Society.
Design NC
Chadsworth is a Presenting Sponsor of Design NC, an annual forum supporting the Cameron Art Museum. Design NC celebrates design professionals, students, and enthusiasts alike.
Congress for the New Urbanism
Mr. Davis is a member of Congress for the New Urbanism. CNU’s mission is to “build places people love” through diversifying neighborhoods, designing for climate change, and championing walkable urbanism.
The Winter Show
Chadsworth is an annual supporter of The Winter Show, which benefits the East Side House Settlement. East Side House supports education and technology to provide economic pathways for the communities of the Bronx and Northern Manhattan.
Classical American Homes Preservation Trust
Mr. Davis is an avid supporter of CAHPT, which carries on the work of Richard Hampton Jenrette on his path to preserve and protect examples of classical American residential architecture. The organization also supports landscapes and fine and decorative arts in their projects, which are open to the public.
Cape Fear Community College
Mr. Davis has been a member of the CFCC Foundation Board of Directors and maintains the Jeffrey L. Davis Endowed Scholarship.
Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse
Chadsworth is honored to have worked with designers participating in the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse over the years in both New York and Palm Beach, supporting the local Boys & Girls Clubs.
San Francisco Fall Show
Mr. Davis is a supporter of The San Francisco Fall Show. The Show is the primary fundraiser for Enterprise for Youth, a nonprofit empowering San Francisco youth to reach their potential.
Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington
Mr. Davis is proud to support GLOW, an all-girls public charter school in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Sir John Soane’s Museum Foundation
Mr. Davis is a supporter of the Soane Foundation, which assists Sir John Soane’s Museum in London and promotes art, architecture, and the decorative arts in the United States.
Opera House Theater Company
Mr. Davis has long been an advocate for local performing arts, evident in his annual support of Opera House Theater Company. OHTC supports and nurtures the arts community in Wilmington, North Carolina.
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Mr. Davis served on the UNCW Board of Visitors; the previous chancellor, Rosemary DePaolo, appointed him. The Board of Visitors served as ambassadors in strengthening relationships between the University and the community, potential donors, and government officials.