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Winterthur Museum & Gardens
Rt. 52 (Kennett Pike), Wilmington, DE
800.448.3883 / 302.888.4600
www.winterthur.org
Special Events
Overview
Winterthur, is the former country estate of Henry Francis du Pont (1880-1969). Today, his estate houses the country's premier collection of American furniture and decorative arts circa 1640 to 1860, arranged in 175 "Period Rooms", the core of which was assembled by H. P. himself. He also created the garden and began the library.
Experiencing Winterthur
You can explore and discover the wonders of Winterthur on your own by purchasing A Gardens & Galleries Pass (Adults-$15, Students/Seniors-$13, Children 2-11 -$5) and using one of the free maps available at the Visitor's Center. With Pass in hand, you will have access to the Garden as well as the Tram Tour, the Galleries, the Campbell Collection of Soup Tureens, the Enchanted Woods, and the Touch-It Room.
If you desire more structure and the information resources a guide provides, you may want to choose to upgrade to the "Winterthur Experience" which will give you two days to explore with the access of the Gardens & Galleries Pass plus your choice of a Discovery Tour, Seasonal Tour or Focus Tour ($15 additional). These tours are designed for visitors of all ages: Elegant Entertaining, Discover the Winterthur Estate and the Yuletide Tour (Nov.-Dec.) and those for visitors 12 and over: Private Spaces and Gaming Places, Stylish Suites, Gracious Living and Distinctive Collections.
Not sure? You can ask a Visitor Service Assistant at Winterthur to help you plan your day. They are more than happy to oblige.
The Museum & Galleries Experience two floors of decorative arts exhibits, period rooms, film and audio messages and interactive
(L to R) H.F. du Pont, 1965, by Adam Shikler. Port Royal Parlor (Gracious Living Tour), Montmorenci Stair Hall. Photos courtesy of Winterthur Museum. | displays. The museum's galleries celebrate American design and craftsmanship at its best and displays of antiques. The Dominy Shops show the tools and workspace of the eary American craftsmen. The Dorrance Gallery houses the Campbell Collection of Soup Tureens, incredible function art made for royalty and presidential homes. Also in the Museum are the changing exhibits and the Touch-It Room for children where they can play dress up with colonial costumes, and take tea in the parlor. Open 12-5PM daily in the summer, M-F 2:30-5PM year round.
The Gardens Winterthur is set amidst a 966 acre preserve of rolling meadows and woodlands, streams and forest. Its naturalistic gardens are among America's best with displays ranging from magnificent specimen
L to R) Azalea Woods. Winterthur photo. Enchanted Woods. A Rich Dunoff photo. | plantings to massed displays of colorful azaleas in season. Distinct gardens are in bloom starting in February and continuing throughout the spring and summer months and on into September (Quarry Garden) and October (Oak Hill and Magnolia Bend). If you visit in May, you must visit Azalea Woods, an eight acre naturalistic wonderland that masterfully blends white, pink, lavendar, salmon and red azaleas under a canpy of white oaks, tulip populars and American beeches.
Enchanted Woods, also in bloom May through June, and again in August is a magical, fairy-tale garden for the child in all of us. Added in recent years, it has proven to be extremely popular.
The Library The Winterthur Library, a research facility with a wide collection of materials on art, history and decorative arts, is frequented by scholars from around the world.
Special Events
Point-to-Point Races steeplechase races, first Sunday in May.
Craft Festival, Labor Day Weekend.
Delaware Antique Show, November.
For exact dates of these and other events, click to our Calendar of Events
Hours of Operation The house is open to the public May - October, and can be toured from 11Am to 6PM.
Hours of Operation Museum & Garden: Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 5pm. Closed Mondays (except holidays and dureing Yuletide) Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Library: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm (Closed holiday Mondays)
Open to visitors interested in antiques, art, and history (enter through the Dorrance Gallery)
Admission General admission includes access to The Galleries, The Garden (including a garden tram ride, space permitting) the Campbell Collection of Soup Tureens, the Enchanted Woods and the Touch-It Room for children. $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and students, $5 for children 2-11, under 2 free.
Guided Tours
Family-friendly tours open to all ages. On other tours, visitors age 8 and above are welcome. Adults, $20, Members, $5; students/seniors (age 62+), $18 Members enjoy one free tour (except Yuletide tour) a year.
Elegant Entertaining - Experience the elegant rooms where the family entertained
Discover the Winterthur Estate - A ride through the landscape, woodlands, waterways and rolling hills of this American recreation of the great European estates of the 18th and 19th century.
Yuletide at Winterthur - Holidays past tour.
Private Spaces & Gaming Places - See where when and in what style the du Ponts spent their personal and leisure time.
Stylish Suites - Visit the guest rooms where weekend visitors enjoyed the hospitality of the du Ponts.
Gracious Living - American furnishings 1600 - 1800s. Rooms designed by H. F. du Pont.
Distinctive Collections - From Shaker to Pennsylvania German. Urban, rural, glass, stoneware and more.
Study Visas: $15 Two-hour, in depth, small group tours with guide specialist.
Focus Tour - An exploration of American craftmanship. Choose furniture or ceramics. New for 2002.
Conservation Tour - 1st Wed. of the month. 1-3PM. A visit to Winterthurs laboratories where works of art and antiques are examinged, studied and conserved.
Special Subject Tours - Call for schedules and availability. 800.448.3883.
Handicap Accessible For accommodations required by a disability call 800.448.3883, 302.888.4600, TTY 302.888.4907.
Museum store. |
Museum & Garden Store Open during Museum hours. An outstanding offering of reproduction home furnishings and accessories, plants, books and gifts. Extensive seasonal catalog service. Call 302.888.4800.
Dining: Visitor Pavilion Continental breakfast, lunch, Sunday brunch and afternoon tea are served in the Visitor Pavilion. Light snacks are served at the Cappuccino Cafe. Open Monday thru Sunday 8 am to 4:30 pm. Reservations for Sunday brunch and afternoon tea are suggested. Call 302.888.4826.
Directions Winterthur is located on Del. Route 52 (Kennett Pike), six miles north of Wilmington, DE, and 5 miles south of U.S. Route 1 in Pennsylvania.
©2008 Unica Multimedia 610.388.6841
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