Countless community members and preservation advocates showed their support for preserving the important piece of Delaware history. After a year of negotiations, the Delaware Open Space Council purchased the development rights from the Sharp estate, thus protecting the house and gardens from imminent demolition. Encouraged by the strong show of support from the community and the government, the Sharp family then donated the property to Preservation Delaware. A preservation easement was placed with the State Historic Preservation Office to ensure that Gibraltar would be restored and maintained to the highest standards. In 1998, Gibraltar was placed on the National Register for Historic Places. With the buildings and grounds secured, PDI is working with a hotel management firm to reuse the building.