Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library: A Glimpse into American Decorative Arts

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, pronounced "winter-tour," offers a captivating journey into American decorative arts, natural beauty, and scholarly research. The museum was the home of Henry Francis du Pont (1880–1969), a renowned horticulturist and collector. He transformed his family estate into a public museum in 1951 to preserve and display American style and craftsmanship. The centerpiece is the stunning 175-room mansion, showcasing a collection of nearly 90,000 objects made or used in America since 1640. Visitors can explore exquisite room settings, each meticulously designed with historical architecture and furnished with outstanding antiques. The museum also features galleries with unique displays of furniture, ceramics, glass, metals, textiles, paintings, and prints. Beyond the mansion, Winterthur's 1,000-acre estate includes a celebrated 60-acre naturalistic garden. Henry Francis du Pont's passion for nature and horticulture is evident in the garden's diverse plant species and designs. Visitors can wander through rolling hills, streams, meadows, and forests, experiencing a romantic vision of nature's beauty. A narrated tram tour is available to highlight the garden. The Winterthur Library, established in 1952, is a leading research center for American decorative arts and cultural history. Its collections include rare books, manuscripts, images, and other resources for scholars and researchers. The library is open to the public by appointment. Winterthur offers a variety of tours, exhibitions, and programs for all ages. Visitors can enjoy activities such as the Time-Traveler's tour for children and explore the award-winning children's garden, Enchanted Woods.