Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library
Delaware
Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library is a renowned American estate located in Delaware, famous for housing one of the richest collections of Americana in the United States. Originally the home of Henry Francis du Pont, a prominent antiques collector and horticulturist, the estate features a grand French-style manor house adorned with architectural elements salvaged from historic American homes. The museum's collection includes between 50,000 and 70,000 objects, featuring rare silver and period furnishings that illustrate American decorative arts from the 17th to 19th centuries. The estate encompasses 1,000 acres of naturalistic gardens, streams, meadows, and old-growth forests, recognized by the Old-Growth Forest Network, offering visitors a harmonious blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty. Winterthur also includes a library and conservation facilities housed in the Louise du Pont Crowninshield Research Building, dedicated to historic preservation. The museum hosts rotating and permanent exhibits in additional galleries opened adjacent to the main house. Winterthur serves as a leader in cultural heritage preservation and study, offering a unique experience combining art, history, and nature.
Planifiez votre voyage en États-Unis avec l'IA
Créez un itinéraire détaillé en quelques minutes. L'IA suggère les meilleurs endroits, restaurants et un itinéraire optimisé.
Astuce: The best time to visit Winterthur is during spring when the gardens are in full bloom, especially during events like Daffodil Day and Spring Fling. It is recommended to check the official website for current exhibitions and special tours, and to purchase tickets in advance to avoid queues. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the mansion and gardens to fully appreciate the estate's history and horticulture. Discounts may be available for members, seniors, and children. Parking and visitor amenities such as a cafeteria and museum shop are available on site.
Faits intéressants
- •Winterthur houses one of the largest and richest collections of American furniture and decorative arts in the world.
- •The estate includes old-growth forest recognized by the Old-Growth Forest Network.
- •The manor house features architectural elements salvaged from 17th to 19th-century American homes such as the Grahame House and Belle Isle.
- •Henry Francis du Pont was inspired to collect Americana after visiting Electra Havemeyer Webb, founder of the Shelburne Museum.
- •The Louise du Pont Crowninshield Research Building is named after H. F. du Pont's sister, a noted preservationist.
- •The museum experienced notable theft incidents in the late 20th century involving valuable American decorative arts.
Histoire
The Winterthur estate was originally purchased by Éleuthère Irénée du Pont between 1810 and 1818 as farmland.
In 1837, it was sold to Jacques Antoine Bidermann and Evelina Gabrielle du Pont, who built a Greek revival manor house and established the estate named after Bidermann's ancestral home in Switzerland.
The property changed hands within the du Pont family, with Henry Algernon du Pont converting the manor into a French-style house and expanding the land.
Henry Francis du Pont inherited Winterthur in 1927, tripling the house's size and furnishing it with American antiques.
In 1951, he opened the mansion as a public museum dedicated to American decorative arts.
Since then, the estate has grown to include extensive gardens, research facilities, and exhibition spaces, becoming a leading institution in American cultural preservation.
Guide du lieu
Main Mansion1920s
The French-style manor house expanded by Henry Francis du Pont, featuring period rooms decorated with American antiques and architectural elements salvaged from historic homes.
Naturalistic Gardens
Spanning 1,000 acres, the gardens include rolling hills, streams, meadows, and old-growth forests, offering a serene natural setting and seasonal floral displays.
Louise du Pont Crowninshield Research Building1969
Dedicated to historic preservation, this building houses the museum's library and conservation facilities, supporting research in American decorative arts and cultural heritage.
Special Exhibitions Galleries1992
Additional galleries adjacent to the main house display rotating and permanent exhibitions highlighting various aspects of American decorative arts and history.
Contact
Téléphone: (800) 448-3883
