Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library: A Glimpse into American Decorative Arts
Explore American decorative arts and natural beauty at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library in the Brandywine Valley.
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library offers a unique experience, immersing visitors in American history, art, and horticulture. The estate was once owned by Henry Francis du Pont, a prominent antiques collector and horticulturist. The name 'Winterthur' itself has Swiss origins, tracing back to the hometown of Jacques Antoine Bidermann, who married into the du Pont family. The museum's collection includes nearly 90,000 objects, displayed within the magnificent 175-room house, arranged as they were when the du Pont family lived there. Visitors can explore period rooms showcasing American domestic architecture, furniture, metalware, textiles, paintings, and prints from 1640 to 1840. The main house tours offer an in-depth look at the collection, but the tours are altered frequently to give returning visitors a new perspective. Beyond the mansion, Winterthur's 1,000 acres include a 60-acre naturalistic garden, considered one of America's finest. Designed by Henry Francis du Pont, the gardens feature diverse plant species and garden designs. Visitors can wander through tree-lined paths, discover the enchanting 'Enchanted Woods,' and enjoy the serene beauty of the landscape. The Winterthur Library is a research center dedicated to American artistic, cultural, social, and intellectual history from colonial times into the twentieth century.
Local tips
- Wear comfortable shoes to explore the extensive gardens and grounds.
- Check the Winterthur website for seasonal hours, events, and special exhibitions.
- Consider taking a guided tour of the mansion to fully appreciate the American decorative arts collection.
- Visit during the spring or summer to see the gardens in full bloom.
- If you have limited mobility, utilize the shuttle and tram services to navigate the hilly terrain.
A brief summary to Winterthur Weddings and Events
- 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Winterthur, Delaware, 19735, US
- +1302-888-4910
- Visit website
- Tuesday 11 am-3 pm
- Wednesday 11 am-3 pm
- Thursday 11 am-3 pm
- Friday 11 am-3 pm
- Saturday 11 am-3 pm
- Sunday 11 am-3 pm
Getting There
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Driving
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library is located at 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735. From Wilmington, take I-95 S and merge onto DE-202 N, then follow Kennett Pike to Winterthur. Look for the entrance sign on your left. Free parking is available in the Visitors Center lot. For those attending a wedding, buses and trams will shuttle you from the parking lot to the ceremony or cocktail hour. Reserved handicapped parking is available in front of the Visitors Center lot.
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Public Transport
While there was bus transportation to Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, as of November 2024, there is no public bus transportation available due to DART policy changes. From the Wilmington Amtrak station, Winterthur is approximately a 15-minute drive. Taxi and car services are available from the train station. A taxi or rideshare from the Wilmington Amtrak station will cost approximately $20-$30.
