History of Winterthur

When du Pont assumed responsibility for managing the family home and lands in the 1920s, his love of history extended beyond collecting American antiques; he sought to preserve an agrarian way of life that was in twilight, thanks to the very industrial revolution that had brought his family enormous wealth.

In Britain, the country house was an agricultural enterprise--a community of farms and holdings that provided for the manor lord and his family as well as for the hundreds of workers on the estate. The great country house stood as the cultural nucleus of its community, and by the 18th century, it was a popular tourist destination. Visitors were guided around the house and grounds by the housekeeper or butler, who pointed out the five key cultural attractions of a great country house: its history, land holdings (including vast gardens and parks), architecture, art collections, and library.

Du Pont was determined to prove that the country house could not only survive but thrive in America. Although Winterthur already boasted a distinguished history through its association with the du Pont family, H. F. enhanced its historical appeal by collecting early Americana and creating vignettes of historical objects that celebrated the nation's greatest figures.

Winterthur boasted large land holdings as well, but H. F. and his father added even more. At its height, the estate encompassed more than 2,500 acres. And upon this expansive landscape young Henry created verdant parks by sculpting the hills and waterways into a romantic setting. Near the family home, he perfected the gardens, which he ingeniously designed to appear naturalistic.

Although Winterthur lacked great historic architecture, du Pont purchased important American interiors and installed them, room by room, within a sprawling addition to the mansion. He then filled these rooms with his burgeoning collection of American decorative arts objects and antiques. Finally, like the English country lord, he exalted in establishing a superlative library.

With the cultural components in place, du Pont then turned his attention to the estate's farming operations. More than 250 workers attended to the gardens, livestock, and, of course, the star operation--the Winterthur dairy farm. Although du Pont created what many consider the finest dairy herd in America, he knew that Winterthur's agricultural enterprises could not be sustained after his death. In accordance with his will, therefore, the herds were sold in 1969.

Winterthur was the fulfillment of du Pont's dream:

My idea of Winterthur is that it is a country estate Museum, to show the Americans of the future what a country place and farm were like. I consider this investment in a way will give quite as much pleasure to many, as the Museum has.

The staff of Winterthur remain committed to sharing this vision and du Pont's great legacy with the more than 220,000 people who visit each year.