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

Discover American decorative arts, explore stunning gardens, and delve into history at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library in Delaware's Brandywine Valley.

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Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, nestled in Winterthur, Delaware, is a premier showcase of American decorative arts. Founded by Henry Francis du Pont, the estate features a 175-room mansion filled with an impressive collection of antiques, a 60-acre naturalistic garden, and a research library, offering a rich cultural and historical experience.

A brief summary to Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library

  • Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-5 pm
  • Friday 10 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes for exploring the extensive gardens and grounds.
  • Check the Winterthur website for special events, exhibitions, and seasonal garden highlights.
  • Allow ample time to fully experience the mansion, gardens, and library.
  • Consider taking the narrated garden tram tour for an overview of the grounds.
  • Visit during the spring or summer to see the gardens in full bloom.
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Getting There

  • Car

    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. Parking is available in the visitor parking lot. There are designated parking spaces for vehicles with official permits next to the Visitor Center and near the Galleries Reception Area. Expect to pay for parking.

  • Public Transport

    To reach Winterthur via public transportation from Wilmington, take the DART First State bus #301 towards Dover. Get off at the 'Winterthur' stop. From there, it is approximately a 1-mile walk to the museum. Alternatively, use rideshare services like Uber or Lyft from the bus station to reach the museum directly. Bus fare is approximately $2 - $4.

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Discover more about Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library

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.

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